Maa review: Kajol salvages striking but familiar myth-meets-fantasy horror

India Today

3 days ago

Kajol, as the powerful mom, battling demonic forces to save her daughter? Now that's the kind of pitch that sounds like it should leave you glued to your seats. And in some ways, 'Maa' really does try. It's visually ambitious, leans heavily into mythology, and finally gives Indian horror a high-gloss makeover. But beneath the myth and fantasy, you'll find a story that has been told before, something that fails to invoke any strong emotions.advertisement'Maa' follows quite a predictable arc: an ordinary mother with a child in danger, a cursed past, a mysterious mytho-creature, and then, of course, the divine awakening. The setting makes you want to enter the world, but the horror genre thrives on tension, surprise, jump scares, and some disruption. The plots are guessable and the beats too familiar, taking the edge off what could have been a powerful ride.Starting on a positive note, what really works in this Vishal Furia film is the VFX. From shape-shifting shadows to mythical creatures and haunted houses, 'Maa' is visually striking. There are moments that genuinely feel scary, with frames that look straight out of a dark fantasy graphic novel. If we were to rate this film only on its visual appeal, it would have ranked pretty high. But a horror film can't rely on just how good it looks.advertisement
What stands out is how Goddess Kaali takes charge in this one, because in recent years, it's been mostly Durga Maa who has been celebrated in celluloid. The use of mythology also adds an interesting page, as the filmmaker pulls in India's spiritual and cultural narratives into the story. Blending folklore with emotions, it also celebrates femininity and motherhood, and Kajol perfectly brings the intensity and gravitas required for the role. You believe her rage, you feel her desperation, and you want to root for her as she treads on the thorn-filled path to save her daughter. As for the director, Vishal Furia might benefit from stepping back and reassessing his creative choices. After watching 'Chhorii', 'Chhorii 2', and now 'Maa', it seems like his storytelling and vision are beginning to blur into one another. Also, given that the story is set against a Bengali backdrop, the makers fall into the usual stereotypical tropes. The authenticity is lost as they maul the language with over-the-top accents and portray traits that are more social media memes than real.While Ronit Roy emerges as a surprise packet, seeing him butcher the language with every dialogue seemed like a personal attack on Bengalis. Just swapping your 'aa' with 'oo' is not the way to go. And this is why Indraneil Sengupta stands out with his impactful performance even in his minuscule role. We often wonder why filmmakers are not giving him more substantial roles. The young Kherin Sharma and Rupkatha Chakraborty also seem promising, while Jitin Gulati is highly wasted in the film.advertisementThe gesture of crediting the cast and crew alongside their mothers' names was a touching tribute. And the use of Jubin Nautiyal's 'Humnava Mere' to underscore the mother-daughter bond was also quite a masterstroke. The haunting melody not only amplified their relationship but also became a thematic beat for the film.As a cinephile, it's disheartening to realise that we are still stuck in that limbo where horror either goes full melodrama or dabbles in myth without fully committing to the psychological weight of it. However, just like in 'Maa', Kajol, the saviour, manages to salvage the film too, but only just about.- Ends2.5 out of 5 stars for 'Maa'.Trending Reel