Myth over monsters

When a film is named ‘Maa’, you know you’re in for something emotional. Add Kajol to that mix, throw in a spoonful of mythology, a dash of horror and a grieving mother — it should hit all the right buttons. Should! But here’s the thing: ‘Maa’ isn’t quite the scream-fest. It’s entirely something else — and whether that’s a good thing or not depends on what you’re hoping to get out of your ticket.

Technically, ‘Maa’ sits in the horror genre. That’s how it’s been marketed — spooky visuals, ghostly chants, dimly lit corridors… But honestly, if you’re looking for something terrifying, this might not be it. This is more of a mythological thriller, built around symbols, folklore and slow emotional burn rather than raw, edge-of-your-seat fear.

The story follows a grieving mother (Kajol) caught in a supernatural web where the past refuses to stay buried. There’s an ancient force involved, a haunting legend and the emotional backbone of maternal love. But most of the horror is emotional. The few jump scares that do show up are aided beautifully by the background score, which deserves more credit than it’s getting. It knows exactly when to whisper and when to boom.

Kajol is, well, Kajol. She plays grief like she’s lived it — a quiet ache beneath a fiery surface. Even when the script meanders or the dialogue gets heavy-handed, she grounds the film. You believe her and that’s half the battle in a film like this.

The rest of the cast holds up fine. Ronit Roy has his moments, Indraneil Sengupta does what’s asked of him. But it’s the actors playing Shweta (Kherin Sharma) and Deepika (Rupkatha Chakraborty) who steal some surprising moments.

The ending comes in fast — like too fast. The final confrontation, built up over two hours, gets resolved quicker than a superhero landing. Honestly, it reminded me of that bit in ‘Justice League’ where Superman swoops in and just ends the fight in five seconds flat. That kind of abrupt.

Now, credit where it’s due — the sound design is tight. The use of traditional instruments in eerie scenes, mixed with contemporary soundscapes, adds a nice texture. Visually, the film is atmospheric, even if the VFX occasionally wobbles like a low-budget web series. It’s forgivable, though — the mood carries it.

And hey — a little tip? Stick around after the credits. There might be a mid-credit scene. Important? Maybe. Weirdly satisfying in a Marvel-wink kind of way? Yep.

Final word: ‘Maa’ isn’t a horror film in the traditional sense. It’s about mythology, motherhood, memory — and the monsters we carry inside. It stumbles in places, especially in the climax. But it has its heart in the right place.

If you’re a Kajol fan, love a slow-burn thriller or are just in the mood for something different from the usual ghost-in-the-window stuff, give it a go. Just, manage those expectations.

Movie Review