When a child is in danger, a mother turns into a fierce warrior — a theme that has been explored in films like Sridevi’s Mom and Raveena Tandon’s Maatr. Now, Kajol brings this fierce maternal instinct to life in her new film Maa, but with a twist. Unlike the revenge dramas Mom and Maatr, Maa is a horror film, where a mother fights tooth and nail to save her daughter from a demonic entity known as Doitto (demon).
Story Overview
Set in the village of Chandarpur, near Kolkata, the film opens with a mother in labour during a Kali Puja. Tension fills the air, as there’s a sinister tradition in this family: newborn daughters are sacrificed in the jungle to please Doitto. On that very day, a baby girl is sacrificed, while her twin brother, Shubhankar (played by Indraneil Sengupta), escapes the village and begins a new life in the city with his wife Ambika (Kajol) and daughter Shweta (Kerrin Sharma).
Now 12 years old, Shweta longs to visit her ancestral village, but her father keeps her far away from it. Even when his own father dies, Shubhankar returns alone to sell the property with the help of the village head, Jaydev (Ronit Roy). But he falls into the trap of Doitto and loses his life. Ambika and Shweta are forced to return to Chandarpur, where dark secrets begin to unravel. Girls in the village start disappearing as soon as they hit puberty, believed to be taken by Doitto. When the demon’s shadow looms over Shweta, Ambika must rise to the occasion to protect her child. The rest unfolds as a chilling battle between a mother and a demon.
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Review of ‘Maa’
Writer Saiwyn Quadras bases the film on the myth of Raktabeej, a demon from Hindu mythology who multiplies with every drop of his blood, and the fierce battle fought by Goddess Kali. This myth forms the backbone of the story and attempts to explain the origin of Doitto. Setting the film in a fictional village near Kolkata adds an authentic layer. The story also touches on gender discrimination through the practice of sacrificing daughters.
However, the screenplay fails to deliver. Despite an engaging premise, the plot lacks surprise and intensity. The horror elements fall short of being truly scary, and the tension never really peaks.
Director Vishal Furia, known for Chhorii and Chhorii 2, tries to recreate that atmospheric dread, but Maa feels like an extension of his previous works without the same impact. The jungle scenes echo the eerie vibe of Chhorii, but they don’t generate the same fear. The climax too is predictable and lacks punch.
Performances
Kajol shines as the protective mother, carrying the film on her shoulders with her strong screen presence. However, it’s Ronit Roy who steals the show. His portrayal of the shapeshifting village head Jaydev is powerful, marked by excellent dialogue delivery and body language.
Kerrin Sharma, who plays Shweta, is the weakest link. Her expressions remain flat and repetitive. On the other hand, Vibha Rani as Ambika’s spiritual guide and Dibyendu Bhattacharya as the devoted helper leave a mark in their brief roles.
Technical Aspects
Cinematographer Pushkar Singh and production designer Sheetal Duggal manage to build a spooky and mysterious environment. However, the background score could have been stronger, and the songs leave no lasting impression. The alliance with the demon is also underwhelming.
Final Verdict
Maa had the potential to be a unique blend of horror and emotion, but a weak screenplay and lack of genuine scares hold it back. Still, Kajol’s performance and the film’s core theme of a mother’s fight for her child offer some gripping moments.