“Maa” Movie Review: A Mythological Mother’s Roar: Netizens Calls the flim a powerful blend of Horror, emotion and mythology

Kajol returns to the big screen after a hiatus—this time stepping boldly into the horror-mythology genre with Maa, directed by Vishal Furia and produced by Ajay Devgn. Released on June 27, 2025, Maa weaves a tale of maternal courage, dark folklore, and supernatural suspense—all set in a cursed village called Chandrapur. 

🎭 Kajol’s Performance: Fierce, Fearless, Family

Kajol anchors the film with a performance that critics and audiences alike are calling her most powerful yet. Netizens on social media describe her as “fearless” and “gripping,” and Taran Adarsh dubbed the film simply “GRIPPING.” 

Reddit viewers echo the sentiment:

“Kajol’s performance was absolutely incredible… you really feel her desperation and fierce protectiveness.” 5reddit.com

Kajol channels both vulnerability and fury, making her journey from protective mother to mythic heroine believable and compelling

🔥 Plot & Premise

After the tragic death of her husband in Chandrapur, Ambika (Kajol) visits her late husband’s ancestral home with her daughter Shweta (Kherin Sharma)—only to confront a sinister curse rooted in mythology. Harnessing divine powers, Ambika must battle demonic forces to protect her child.

👻 Horror & VFX: Eerie and Ambitious, Yet Uneven

On the technical front, Maa impresses—its visual effects and atmospheric set-pieces evoke western horror while rooted in Indian folklore. The VFX have drawn praise from many viewers. 

Yet, critics argue the scares don’t always land. Hindustan Times notes that the film “forgets to bring the horror”; it’s slow to build dread and, at times, leans on clichés. hindustantimes.com India Today points out that although visually rich, the narrative is “predictable and lacks emotional depth.”

⚖️ Strengths & Weaknesses

💰 Box Office & Buzz

Opening at approximately ₹4.5 crore on day one, Maa had a moderate start at the box office, opening amidst stiff competition from Kannappa, Sitaare Zameen Par, and F1: The Movie. livemint.com+9bollywoodshaadis.com+9timesofindia.indiatimes.com+9

Strong early word-of-mouth and glowing social media buzz signal potential growth through the weekend.

🎬 The Final Verdict

Maa thrives on its central axis: Kajol delivering an unwavering, emotionally potent performance as a mother refusing to yield to evil. The film’s visuals are polished, its mythology intriguing, and its premise promising. Yet, the pacing wavers, horror is intermittently muted, and the storyline treads familiar ground.

If you’re drawn to horror infused with familial emotion and mythological flair—and if seeing Kajol at her rawest best excites you—Maa is worth your ticket. But for those craving nerve-shredding chills or plot unpredictability, it may feel more reverent than terrifying.

                 ⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5 — A powerful maternal core held high by Kajol, but held back by pacing and predictability.

👀 Looking Ahead

Maa is the second entry in Ajay Devgn’s expanding horror universe, following 2024’s Shaitaan. Netflix is expected to stream Maa somewhere between mid-August and mid-September 2025, so if you miss it in theatres, it won’t be long before you can catch it at home.

So—have you watched Maa yet? What did you think of Kajol’s turn as a supernatural protector? Drop your thoughts below!