A Powerful Premise That Falls Short on Execution

Contents

Plot Summary: A Haunting Return to Ancestral Roots Visuals and Themes: Striking Yet Uneven Where the Film Falters: Script and CGI Final Verdict ISM Rating: ★★☆☆☆ (2/5)Credits

Vishal Furia’s Maa places actor Kajol in a commanding role — a mother fighting supernatural forces to protect her daughter — but the film, while rooted in noble themes, loses its grip due to inconsistent writing and a confusing second half.

Plot Summary: A Haunting Return to Ancestral Roots

Ambika (Kajol) and her husband Shuvankar (Indraneil Sengupta) have long shielded their 12-year-old daughter Shweta (Kherin Sharma) from the dark secrets of their family’s past. But a tragic incident and the girl’s growing curiosity pull mother and daughter back to their ancestral haveli in Chandrapur, Bengal — a place where time seems frozen and shadows of the past linger.

Their arrival is met by Joydev (Ronit Roy), a long-time guardian of the estate. Tension builds as Shweta uncovers unsettling secrets. A speechless caretaker (Dibyendu Bhattacharya), flashbacks of infanticide, and the myth of a demonic entity named Raktbeej point toward a sinister legacy. As Ambika unravels the history, the film moves toward a mythological confrontation between feminine power and age-old evil.

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Visuals and Themes: Striking Yet Uneven

Visually, Maa is a rich experience. The haveli’s aged interiors, the haunting forest, and vibrant Kali Puja sequences immerse viewers in a world that feels both mystical and real. Themes of patriarchy, female suppression, and generational trauma are explored — especially through bold moments like a natural conversation on menstruation between mother and daughter.

Kajol brings depth and emotional weight to her role, reinforcing her reputation for portraying strong women. The story attempts to tackle heavy subjects, such as gender violence and societal taboos, with a mix of horror and mythology.

Where the Film Falters: Script and CGI

Despite its message and ambition, Maa suffers from underwhelming writing and derivative CGI. The first half feels slow and unfocused, while the second half becomes tangled in mythological exposition, diluting the emotional stakes. The transformation of Ambika into a goddess-avatar is meant to be cathartic but lacks the clarity and impact the climax needs.

Final Verdict

Maa is a film with its heart in the right place — addressing important issues like women’s empowerment, cultural legacy, and feminine rage. Kajol’s performance stands tall amid an otherwise uneven experience. With tighter storytelling and more original visual effects, this could have been a genre-defining film. Unfortunately, it settles for being just another attempt with promise but no payoff.