Maa is a Jio Studios which is directed by Vishal Furia in collaboration with Jio Studios making it a part of the Shaitaan Universe. The film is releasing on 27th June
Maa directed by Vishal Furia and produced under the banner of Jio Studios making it a part of the Shaitaan Universe. The film which is releasing on 27th June stars Kajol in the leading role. The film has stars like Ronit Roy, Indraneil Sengupta, Surjyasikha Das, and Gopal Singh in supporting roles. The movie has a lot to say and convey but falls short in many places. Read the full review below.
What is it about?
The film is set in a massive, creaky haveli in Chandarpur, West Bengal. It starts with people gearing up for Kali Puja, with drums banging, incense swirling, and everyone hyped up like it’s the grand finale of a reality show. The vibe is electric—until it’s not. The camera swoops in, zeroing in on a woman screaming her lungs out while giving birth. The whole haveli’s holding its breath, and when a baby boy pops out, it’s like the whole place won the lottery. Cheers, hugs, the works! But then—plot twist alert—the doctor drops a bombshell: twins! The second kid’s a girl, and suddenly, the party screeches to a halt like a DJ pulling the plug mid-banger. The mom’s crying, begging, “Don’t take my baby!” but this creepy lady in a traditional mask snatches the girl and struts off to some abandoned castle-looking place. Next thing you know, she’s wielding a blade bigger than a cricket bat, and—slash!—the screen’s dripping with more drama than a soap opera.
Fast-forward 40 years, and enter Kajol as Ambika, a museum worker who’s basically a walking encyclopaedia on Maa Kali. She’s schooling a bunch of kids about how Kali took down the demon Raktabeej, and you’re like, “Okay, Kajol, flex that knowledge!” Her family’s cute—hubby Shuvankar and their 12-year-old daughter Shweta, who’s got more curiosity than a cat chasing a laser pointer. Shweta’s all, “Mom, Dad, let’s visit our ancestral haveli!” But her parents are dodging that request like it’s a telemarketer call. Why? Because that haveli’s cursed, haunted, and basically the place from hell. Of course, one thing leads to another, and Kajol and Shweta end up at the haveli, ready to sell it and get out. Big mistake. The supernatural mess hits them like a monsoon flood, and suddenly, they’re knee-deep in ghostly chaos.
What’s hot?
With a budget of Rs 50 crores, this movie looks like a million bucks, the cinematography is so slick. It’s like the camera’s doing a dance routine—every pan, every zoom, it’s got you gripping your popcorn, waiting for the next scare to jump out. The first half is paced like a thriller on steroids, keeping you on edge with jump scares that hit you out of nowhere. Director, Vishal Furia seems to have a knack for making your heart skip a beat, and the way they capture the haveli’s eerie vibes? Chef’s kiss. The second half gets deep, it’s not just about ghosts—it’s about smashing patriarchy. Ronit Roy’s character starts off sweeter than a Bengali rosogulla, all helpful and charming, but—spoiler alert—he’s the Raktabeej of this story. The film’s got this powerful message about patriarchy and women’s struggles, and Kajol’s Ambika is out here fighting demons (literal and metaphorical) like a boss.
What’s not?
But, okay, let’s not get too starry-eyed. This movie’s got some serious flaws. The VFX are the major disappointments. Ronit Roy’s villain look is supposed to be terrifying, but it’s giving more “circus clown who got lost” than “demon king.”. And the dialogues? Yawn. The climax lines are so cringy they sound like they were written by a teenager trying to be poetic on Instagram like, calm down, this ain’t a poetry slam. The film also tries to tug at your heartstrings with the grief of losing Shuvankar, Kajol’s husband and Shweta’s dad, but it lands flatter than a soda left out overnight. And out of all the ending is what holds back the film the most. It’s that classic Bollywood “all is well” nonsense, where everything wraps up neater than a gift box, leaving you rolling your eyes so hard they might fall out. The soundtrack and choreography in this film are like a half-baked biryani, you’d think a horror movie set during Kali Puja in a spooky West Bengal haveli would have a soundtrack that slaps hard, but nope, the lyrics fail to leave an impact. Then there’s the singing itself, the vocalists are doing their best, but they’re stuck trying to make these clunky lyrics sound soulful.
Now shifting gears to the performances—let’s talk about Ronit Roy’s acting—my gosh, this man is a chameleon. He’s so smooth in the first half, all warm smiles and helpful vibes, you’d swear he’s the hero’s bestie. Ronit Roy starts off as the village’s Mr. Nice Guy, the kind of dude who’d lend you his umbrella in a monsoon and probably throw in a chai for good measure. As the Sarpanch of Chandarpur, he’s all smiles, helping Kajol’s Ambika navigate the creepy corners of her ancestral home like he’s the tour guide of the year. He’s so convincing as the supportive sidekick. But hold on till climax as you discover Ronit Roy, the guy you trusted, is the big bad Rakshas! Ronit’s character isn’t just some random baddie. Though the VFX does not work in favour of the character, but Ronit? He doesn’t need fancy CGI. His performance is so electric, it’s like he’s carrying the whole climax on his back. Now, let’s give some love to Kherin Sharma as well, the 12-year-old firecracker who plays Shweta, Ambika’s curious-as-a-cat daughter. This kid is a total scene-stealer, her character’s got this insatiable hunger to know everything about the world, bombarding her parents with questions like a tiny detective. Kherin nails this role, bringing such a genuine energy that you can’t help but root for her. She’s the heart of the movie, dragging Ambika into the supernatural mess with her stubborn curiosity.
Verdict
In short, Maa is like the haunted haveli itself—gorgeous to look at, full of potential, but creaky and falling apart in places. The cinematography and Kajol’s powerhouse performance keep you hooked, and the feminist vibes are a nice touch, but the shoddy VFX, disappointing dialogues, and predictable ending make you wish they’d called an exorcist for the script. Still, if you’re in the mood for some spooky thrills with a side of social commentary, it’s worth a watch. Just don’t expect it to haunt your dreams—unless your nightmares involve bad villain makeup.
Don’t Miss Out on the Latest Updates.
Subscribe to Our Newsletter Today!
