Movie Name : Kajol’s Maa
Release Date : June 27, 2025
123telugu.com Rating : 2/5
Starring : Kajol, Indraneil Sengupta, Ronit Roy, Kherin Sharma, and others
Director : Vishal Furia
Producers : Ajay Devgn, Jyoti Deshpande
Music Directors : Rakhi Khanna, Shiv Malhotra, Amar Mohile, Harsh Upadhyay
Cinematographer : Pushkar Singh
Editor : Sandeep Francis
Related Links : Trailer
Story:
According to an ancient superstition in Chandrapur, West Bengal, female children born into certain village families are sacrificed. Born into one such family, Shubankar (Indraneil Sengupta) lives far away from Chandrapur with his wife Ambika (Kajol) and daughter Shweta (Kherin Sharma). One day, Shubankar receives the news of his father’s death, and he returns to his hometown, only to meet his own untimely death.
Ambika, along with her daughter, travels to Chandrapur to sell their ancestral bungalow. The story unfolds the mystery surrounding the superstition in that village. Will the superstition be proven true, or is there something more sinister at play? What challenges does Ambika face with her daughter? What happens in the village ultimately? You need to watch Maa on the big screen to discover the answers.
Plus Points:
While the emotional story of a mother’s love and her determination to go to any lengths for her daughter may seem routine, there are a few moments in Maa that stand out. The film also explores a few elements related to myths and legends, adding an interesting layer to the narrative.
Kajol, as usual, delivers a splendid performance. She displays commendable acting prowess while showcasing determination to protect her daughter. The way her character evolves from being simple in the first half to powerful in the second half is well-executed. The pre-climax and climax sequences leave a lasting impact.
Minus Points:
The lack of novelty in the story is the film’s biggest drawback. The way the story is narrated, much like old films, feels boring. The first half, in particular, is slow and tedious. The lethargic pace of the narrative further drains the audience’s interest.
Even though there are some captivating sequences in the second half, the lag in between them damages the film’s flow. At times, it’s unclear why certain scenes are included in the narrative.
Maa’s story has far too many unnecessary episodes inserted for the sake of advancing the narrative. Despite a well-thought-out climax, the execution fails to live up to expectations.
Technical Aspects:
Director Vishal Furia couldn’t quite handle the film’s narrative and tone. His primary focus was on the horror and VFX elements, which caused the story to veer off course. The cinematography doesn’t add much value, and the editing could have been crisper. On the positive side, the background score is quite good, and the production values are decent.
Verdict:
Maa is a fantasy horror film that fails to captivate the audience. While the performances by the lead actors and the climax episodes are the major strengths of Maa, the lack of an innovative story and the conventional way it was executed are the weaknesses. Fans of the fantasy horror genre may find Maa disappointing.
123telugu.com Rating: 2/5
Reviewed by 123telugu Team