Published by: Sourav Kumar
Updated on Sunday, 28.06.2025
Blog Content
Maa (2025) Movie Review: Kajol’s Bold Performance Anchors a Flawed Supernatural Drama
Kajol returns to the screen in Maa, a supernatural feminist thriller directed by Siddharth P. Malhotra. Designed as a mashup of Indian mythology, horror, and modern issues, the movie attempts to combine heavy themes like patriarchy, motherhood, and generational trauma.
But while Kajol stands tall as the emotional center of the film, Maa loses momentum in its second half, where muddled storytelling and generic CGI effects dilute its powerful premise.
Plot Overview (Spoiler-Free)
Ambika (Kajol) and her husband Shuvankar (Indraneil Sengupta) have kept their daughter Shweta (Kherin Sharma) shielded from the family’s dark past. But a tragic incident sends Ambika and her daughter to their ancestral haveli in rural Bengal, where haunting secrets, demonic legends, and buried truths begin to surface.
Enter Joydev (Ronit Roy), the family’s longtime caretaker, and a mute servant (Dibyendu Bhattacharya), whose silence speaks volumes. As rituals clash with ancient evils, Ambika must embrace a Kali-like avatar to protect her child and confront the violent legacy of misogyny personified in the demon Raktbeej.
What Works
- Kajol’s performance is powerful, nuanced, and emotionally grounded.
- The film tackles menstruation and patriarchy directly—refreshing and necessary.
- Excellent production design with haunting visuals and rich cultural details.
- Effective use of Bengali cultural references, especially the Kali Puja scenes.
What Falls Flat
- The first half feels loose, with uneven pacing.
- The second half becomes muddled by overused tropes and poor exposition.
- CGI and VFX lack originality, especially in key climactic scenes.
- The script oversimplifies deep themes like gendered violence and generational trauma.
Final Verdict:
Maa is a well-meaning, emotionally charged horror-fantasy that offers a standout performance from Kajol but falls short in execution. The themes of female empowerment and inherited trauma are bold, but they needed tighter storytelling and better technical polish to truly resonate.
FAQs
Q1: Is Maa based on true mythology?
A1: Yes, the film references Indian mythology, particularly the demon Raktbeej and Goddess Kali, to shape its supernatural plot.
Q2: What genre is Maa?
A2: It’s a supernatural horror thriller with strong feminist and mythological themes.
Q3: Is Maa worth watching?
A3: If you’re a fan of Kajol, horror with a feminist twist, or Indian folklore, it’s worth a watch despite its narrative flaws.
Q4: Where can I watch Maa?
A4: Maa is currently in theaters and expected to release on major streaming platforms in the coming months.
Q5: Who directed Maa?
A5: The movie is directed by Siddharth P. Malhotra, known for blending emotion and social commentary.
Conclusion
Maa aims high by tackling patriarchal traditions with myth and horror, and Kajol carries the film with grace and fire. But with a better screenplay and tighter pacing, it could’ve been a genre-defining story. Still, it’s commendable for using commercial cinema to talk about topics still considered taboo in many parts of India.
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