Film Review: Maa

Banner: Devgn Films, Jio Studios

Genre: Horror / ThrillerCensor: UA

Story & Screenplay

Maa follows Ambika (Kajol), a determined mother who must save her daughter Shweta (Kherin Sharma) from mysterious abductions that target girls upon reaching puberty in the town of Chanderpur. Her husband, Shuvankar (Indraneil Sengupta), dies under suspicious circumstances, prompting Ambika to confront the dark secrets of the ancestral home and the town’s sinister traditions.

While the premise has potential for a gripping horror drama, the story by Saiwyn Quadros is illogical at times, and the screenplay is disjointed, leaving the narrative uneven and underwhelming. Key plot points strain credibility, such as Ambika knowingly putting her daughter at risk rather than leaving Chanderpur, or the conveniently timed revelations from the old priestess. The climax is overly lengthy, and the horror elements fail to consistently generate suspense or chills. Dialogues by Aamil Khan and Ajit Jagtap are adequate but not memorable.

Performances

• Kajol is earnest and committed as Ambika, and her emotional intensity drives the film’s limited appeal.

• Ronit Bose Roy is good as Joydev, providing solid support.

• Indraneil Sengupta leaves a brief but noticeable impression as Shuvankar.

• Kherin Sharma is acceptable as Shweta, while Jitin Gulati is average as the investigating officer.

• Supporting performances by Rupkatha Chakraborty, Dibyendu Bhattacharya, Vibha Rani, Yaaneea Bharadwaj, and others are passable or average.

Direction & Technical Aspects

• Vishal Furia’s direction is ordinary; despite the horror premise, the film fails to create sustained tension or scares.

• Music by Harsh Upadhyay, Rocky Khanna, and Shiv Malhotra is okay, while lyrics by Manoj Muntashir Shukla and Pranav Vatsa are serviceable.

• Choreography by Ranju Varghese is good.

• Background score by Amar Mohile is decent and occasionally adds to the mood.

• Pushkar Singh’s cinematography captures the locations well, though VFX and computer graphics are only adequate.

• Action and stunt sequences by R.P. Yadav are moderately thrilling but could have been more intense.

• Production design by Sheetal Duggal and art direction by Pranay Chaure are satisfactory.

• Editing by Sandeep Francis could have been sharper to improve pacing and tension.

Final Verdict

Maa relies mainly on mother sentiments, appealing to a small segment of the audience. The illogical narrative, weak horror elements, and average technical execution limit its appeal. It is likely to perform only in smaller centres and select pockets of urban audiences, with minimal impact at the box office.

Box Office Potential: Low; modest collections expected in limited territories.