Review: Maa — Kajol Delivers a ‘Punching’ Performance in This Mythological Horror Fantasy

The horror genre in Bollywood has seen a creative resurgence, and writer-director #VishalFuria, who has explored supernatural themes since his debut with Lapachhapi (and its Hindi remake Chhorii), now steps into a darker, mythological realm with Maa. Produced by #AjayDevgn and headlined by #Kajol, Maa blends horror, emotion, and folklore in a gripping narrative that is elevated by Kajol’s powerful central performance.

Set in Kolkata, the story revolves around Ambika (Kajol), who lives with her husband Shuvankar (Indraneil Sengupta) and daughter Shweta (Kherin Sharma). When Shuvankar’s father passes away, he travels to his ancestral village Chandrapur, a place shadowed by a terrifying legacy — a dark tradition of sacrificing newborn girl children to appease a monster and seek protection from Kali Maa. On his return, Shuvankar meets a horrific and mysterious death. Ambika, at the request of the village sarpanch Joydev (Ronit Roy), travels to Chandrapur with her daughter to resolve property matters. However, things take a sinister turn when Shweta is kidnapped by a supernatural entity. What follows is Ambika’s emotional and physical battle against ancient evil to rescue her child — a journey that pits a mother’s courage against mythical horror.

Vishal Furia stays true to his signature style, building an atmosphere that is both eerie and emotionally potent. His storytelling leans heavily on quiet moments, subtle movements, and visual tension. The cinematography is impressive, capturing emotional stillness as well as moments of dread through expertly framed shadows and light. The background score adds depth without overwhelming the narrative, while the VFX is cleverly restrained enhancing psychological and emotional beats rather than becoming the center of attention.

Kajol delivers a restrained, emotionally rich, and fierce performance, commanding every scene she’s in. She carries the emotional weight of the story with grace and conviction. Ronit Roy gives a sincere performance, although his character lacks depth due to weaker writing. Indraneil Sengupta, Kherin Sharma, and Gopal Singh provide solid support, rounding out a cast that holds the film together.

Maa is a compelling mix of myth, horror, and maternal strength.

Rating: ***

By Keerti Kadam