22-Jul-2025
HomeENTERTAINMENTMaa (2025) : Kajol’s Fierce Turn in a Mythological Horror Like No...

Maa (2025) : Kajol’s Fierce Turn in a Mythological Horror Like No Other

Maa tries to blend Indian mythology with horror, a combination Bollywood rarely touches.

Maa (2025) is not your average Bollywood masala. Stop thinking about the dancing-in-the-rain, stop thinking about the naach gaana, and absolutely, the hero has a six pack, which is going to rescue the day. This is a mother, myth, and mayhem all together. Written and directed by Vishal Furia and featuring Kajol playing a character never seen before, this mythological horror-thriller has left its audiences trembling with fear as well as boggling their minds. Released on 27th June 2025, Maa is produced by Ajay Devgn and Jyoti Deshpande, and it’s already making waves at the box office, collecting over ₹20 crores in just five days.

The story? A mother, Ambika (Kajol), transforms into the goddess Kali to break a demon’s curse of blood, fear, and betrayal. Sounds epic. But hold on, this is not only about jump scares and computer-generated monsters. Maa tries to blend Indian mythology with horror, a combination Bollywood rarely touches. Why? It is risky, so it is tricky, and the thing about it is that everybody would prefer ghosts dancing to item numbers rather than the total divine vengeance of Kali.

Then, what is wrong with Bollywood, which is afraid of such scripts?

Why don’t we see more films like Maa? And what makes this film stand out (or trip over its own feet)? Here comes a review that is half serious, half humorous, and all heart. We are going to analyze the cast, the mayhem, and the strange horror-phobia that Bollywood experiences. Plus, we’ll compare Maa with the usual Bollywood fare, and convince you to watch it with the lights on.

The Plot: Maa, Myths, and Mayhem

So to set the scene, we have a rather ordinary mother named Ambika, who is teleported into an environment where curses are not just simple misfortunes, but whenever there is a copious amount of bloodshed, fear, and betrayal that a regular soap opera can only bring. When a demoniac curse threatens her family, Ambika does not make any phone calls to the police or a tantrik baba. No, she is herself, Kali the goddess. Just imagine your mom becoming a superhero, more divine, and using a sword to kill the demons.

Maa Movie Trailer (Source-Jio Studios)

And now imagine her doing it in a saree, accompanied by dramatic background music. That’s Maa for you.

The movie starts by indicating a curse that is stalking a small town. The locals are panicking, priests are perplexed, and more likely, the local physician must have sold out on his sleeping pills. The family of Ambika is at the epicentre of this mess. With the severity of the curse, the transformation of Ambika into Kali is sure to be frightening yet strangely empowering. She fights not only to protect her family, but she struggles with decades of male nonsense and demonic evil.

And this is not the only bad news about the plot. Its detractors have described it as a “confused cesspool of contradiction and plot holes,” and some of the scenes enter inadvertently comic realms. One minute you are going to chew your nails, another you will want to know whether the demon will get into the dancing number. Even so, the Epic-Horror mash-up in the film is an ambitious one, which occasionally steps on its banana peel.

So, is Maa a horror masterpiece or a mythological mess? A smallish amount of both. However, one thing is sure: you will not be able to forget Kajol’s eyes any time soon.

Cast & Characters:

Who’s Who in the World of Maa Maa’s cast is a mixed bag of Bollywood veterans and fresh faces, all thrown into a supernatural blender. And what say we demolish it?

  • Kajol as Ambika: It is the core of the movie. Kajol is the lady who turns into Kali. This is her debut in a horror film, and she not only reveals her vulnerability but also ferocity. Ambika, played by Kajol, will prove once and for all that a mom can be mighty!
  • Ronit Roy as Joydev: The supportive husband (or is he?). Ronit Roy does what he always does, and well, he spends more or less half the movie with his expression in lieu of having faced a ghost. Perhaps he does.
  • Indraneil Sengupta as Shuvankar: The strange stranger who was related to the curse. Is it a friend, foe, or a really confused being? You decide.
  • Kherin Sharma as Shweta: The daughter of Ambika is caught in the crossfire. She is the emotional fulcrum, and her moments with Kajol are among the best in the movie.
  • Jitin Gulati as Sarfaraz: The local policeman who can obviously make some improvements. His solution to everything? We wish we had some backup. Best of luck to you, Sarfaraz.
  • Vibha Rani as Old Priestess: The woman of wisdom who sees all the secrets. She is the Yoda of the movie, not including the green skin, of course.
Scenes from Maa Movie

Supporting Cast: Yaaneea Bharadwaj (Young Priestess), Gopal Singh (Bikash), Surjyasikha Das (Nandini), Naveen Jagbir Sandhu (Young Joydev), Roopkatha Chakraborty (Deepika), and more.

All the actors do their best to perform their A-game, but occasionally, their script fails. Nevertheless, the supernatural sandwich is comprised of Kajol’s performance, in this case, like glue.

The Horror: Scares, Screams, and CGI Nightmares Let us discuss horror. Maa tries hard to be scary, and sometimes it succeeds—like when Ambika’s eyes go full Kali mode, or when the demon pops up just as you’re reaching for popcorn. The film employs both practical and computer-assisted effects and is full of blood, shadows, and jumps. Most are actually creepy, particularly to those who still sleep with a night light.

However, not every scare sticks. Critics have criticized the CGI as not innovative, and some of the horror parts turn out to be more comic than scary. One critic has even stated that the movie has wandered into ridiculous territory too frequently. Ouch. At times, you just wish that the demon would break into song and start to sing a song like Choli Ke Peeche Kya Hai, just to shake off things.

Still, Maa deserves credit for trying something different. Bollywood usually plays it safe with horror—either going full comedy (hello, Bhool Bhulaiyaa) or sticking to haunted havelis and creaky doors. Maa, on the other hand, dives into Indian mythology, using Kali as both a symbol of rage and protection. It tries to be ambitious but is not consistently successful.

So, should you watch Maa for the scares? If you are crazy about horror with a desi twist, why not? Don’t expect Hollywood-level chills. And perhaps you might have a pillow at hand to stuff your face behind or laugh at your pleasure.

The Script: Why Bollywood Rarely Makes Movies Like Maa

Here’s the million-rupee question: Why doesn’t Bollywood make more films like Maa? The response is as elaborate as that of a family WhatsApp group.

To begin with, horror is not sold in India. The vast majority of the audience does not desire to see their fate of existential dread in films. People want heroes, romance, and songs, not devils and curses. According to one of the Redditors, horror is apparently not mainstream in India, though we have plenty of ghost stories to read for the rest of our lives.

Second, it is tough to write a good horror story. Hollywood films tend to succumb to stereotypical lines that are overdone, like haunted houses, possessed dolls, and priests who come right in time during the intermission. Maa tries to break the mold by mixing mythology with horror, but critics say the writing is “bland” and the story gets lost in its ambition.

BTS from Maa Movie

Third, there is the risk factor. Horror movies tend to be on the low budget, but high-risk cinema. When they fail, we all remember. When they are successful, everyone follows. Bollywood likes to stick to proven formulae of rom-rom, action flick, and family drama. Dangal, Pathan, 3 Idiots, and others are all films of quality mass movies, and we should boldly move that way, said Aseem Arrora, who is a scriptwriter. Horror? In due time.

And last, but definitely not least, is the audience. Indian consumers are choosy. They are seeking fright, but not being frightened too much. They desire myth and not too moralistic. Maa tries to please everyone, and sometimes ends up pleasing no one.

So, why aren’t there more movies like Maa? It’s a gamble. And Bollywood, even though it takes pride in song-and-dance bravura, does not prefer to gamble on the dark side.

The Verdict: Should You Watch Maa?

So, after all the screams, laughs, and head-scratching, should you watch Maa? So here is the lowdown:

  • When you love Kajol, it is her most significant role so far. She’s fierce, she’s vulnerable, and she’s not afraid to get her hands (and saree) dirty.
  • If you want something different, Maa is not your typical Bollywood horror. It is weird, ambitious, and surely not forgettable.
  • If you are a fan of horror, you may be disappointed by the CGI and some of the plot twists. However, you will like the effort to introduce Indian mythology to the scenario.
  • Are you in search of a family viewing? Possibly not, unless you have blood, curses, and the wrath of God as a Sunday dish to eat with your family.

The critics fall apart. Some say Maa is a “poor showcase” of horror, with a muddled script and cringeworthy moments. Some admire its ambition and Kajol’s performance. Its box office results are impressive, so people are interested.

In the end, Maa is like that experimental dish your mom makes—some bites are delicious, others are confusing, but you can’t stop eating. It is not ideal, but it is daring, which is a good thing, especially in a Bollywood world dominated by sequels and remakes.

So grab your popcorn, say a little prayer, and dive into the madness of Maa. It just might be best not to see Kali in dreams after that.

Also Read: Bollywood’s Women-Centric Films: Stories of Strength, Sacrifice, and Self-Discovery

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