Maa Movie Review: Kajol returns to the screen not just as an actor, but as a force — a mother, a protector, a warrior. Directed by Vishal Furia, this supernatural thriller attempts to blend the mystical power of mythology with the rawness of modern motherhood. It’s a film with its heart in the right place, but one that struggles with execution and clarity as it progresses.
Despite its rich themes — female empowerment, intergenerational trauma, and social taboos — the movie suffers from a loosely structured first half and a confusing, overstuffed second act. It’s emotionally stirring in moments, visually compelling in others, but the overall narrative fails to strike with the force it aims for.
The Story: When the Past Calls, a Mother Must Answer
Ambika (Kajol) lives a peaceful, modern life with her husband Shuvankar (Indraneil Sengupta) and their 12-year-old daughter Shweta (Kherin Sharma), an imaginative and curious girl with a flair for art. But their family hides a secret — a dark, violent past tied to Shuvankar’s ancestral home in Bengal’s countryside.
When a shocking incident disrupts their world, Ambika is forced to take Shweta back to their old haveli in Chandrapur. Waiting there is Joydev (Ronit Roy), the loyal caretaker who has kept watch over the dilapidated estate for years. The village seems stuck in time, weighed down by silence and secrets. A mysterious, mute old servant (Dibyendu Bhattacharya) and a forest hiding unspeakable horrors only deepen the tension.
As Ambika unearths long-buried truths — about her husband’s lineage, the ancient curse of a demon named Raktbeej, and the cruel traditions that killed newborn girls — she finds herself at war with forces far beyond the natural world. But for her daughter, she’s willing to face anything.
A Mother. A Warrior. A Goddess.
The film’s central theme is crystal clear: never underestimate a mother. Especially one like Ambika, who carries the weight of history and the urgency of the present on her shoulders. As the demonic force threatens to return, driven by the lust to procreate and dominate, Ambika taps into a primal energy — not just as a mother, but as an avatar of Goddess Kali herself.
This transformation is both literal and symbolic. The mythology of Kali is smartly used as a narrative device to represent the fight against deeply rooted patriarchy and the violence it enables. Ambika’s awakening is meant to mirror the divine feminine — protective, fierce, and unyielding.
Maa Movie Review: Themes That Matter
What Maa tries to do is ambitious: it doesn’t just tell a ghost story or a mythological thriller. It digs into real, pressing issues:
- Female infanticide and generational silence
- Menstruation as a taboo, addressed openly in a touching mother-daughter scene
- Myth as metaphor, using the figure of Raktbeej to symbolize oppressive patriarchy
- Reclaiming womanhood, not as a victim, but as a source of strength
These are bold topics, and the film deserves credit for attempting to bring them to a mainstream audience. But where it falters is in weaving these elements seamlessly into the story.
The Flaws: Loose Threads and CGI Overkill
While the message is loud and clear, the storytelling feels muddled. The first half of the movie takes too long to build momentum. It sets up characters and tension but lacks the emotional or narrative punch to pull the viewer fully in.
By the time the second half begins — with supernatural elements ramping up and Ambika embracing her Kali-like transformation — the film switches gears too abruptly. Instead of building suspense naturally, it leans on average CGI and chaotic action to deliver its climax.
The demon Raktbeej, while symbolically powerful, never becomes a truly memorable villain. The visual effects used to bring him to life feel dated, and the final battle between good and evil ends up more noisy than moving.
Kajol: The Heart and Soul of Maa
Kajol’s performance is the film’s biggest strength. She portrays Ambika with a mix of empathy, strength, and intensity that keeps you invested even when the screenplay falters. Her chemistry with child actor Kherin Sharma feels genuine, making their mother-daughter bond the emotional anchor of the film.
Ronit Roy brings his usual gravitas to Joydev, while Indraneil Sengupta and Dibyendu Bhattacharya provide strong support. Kherin Sharma, as the curious and brave Shweta, is a fresh face who holds her own in a film packed with seasoned performers.
Visuals and Atmosphere: A World Trapped in Time
Visually, Maa is impressive. The ancestral haveli is filled with history, shadows, and dread. The surrounding forest, full of twisted trees and eerie silence, is haunting. The Kali Puja scenes, complete with traditional red-and-white costumes, add cultural texture and spiritual depth to the atmosphere. But while the production design succeeds in creating a mood, it’s let down by the uneven pacing and scattered plot that follow.
Final Verdict: A Noble Message, a Missed Opportunity
Maa is a film with a clear voice and an important message. It tries to break the silence around gender violence, celebrate motherhood as power, and tackle social taboos through myth and metaphor. Kajol gives it her all, and there are moments of genuine emotion and insight.
However, the film suffers from weak writing, underwhelming special effects, and an inconsistent tone. What could have been a landmark feminist horror-thriller ends up being a film that’s powerful in parts, but not in whole.
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