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Arnab Banerjee

Indpendent Film Critic

Arnab Banerjee has been a film critic and journalist for over 20 years, and is currently contributing film reviews to The Asian Age and BBC Radio. Besides reviewing films, both Hollywood and Bollywood, he also writes on music, does book reviews and covers art.

All reviews by Arnab Banerjee

Image of scene from the film Maa

Maa

Horror (Hindi)

(Written for The Daily Eye)

Fear and a Mother's Rage Onscreen

Sat, June 28 2025

Kajol leads a chilling tale of myth and motherhood in Maa, a supernatural thriller where folklore, family, and fear collide—yet emotional depth remains just out of reach.

Kajol stars in Maa, a 2025 Bollywood horror film that blends mythological themes with supernatural suspense, directed by Vishal Furia. Set in the eerie village of Chanderpur, the film follows a mother’s fierce battle against ancient evil to protect her daughter. Featuring standout performances and visual effects, Maa continues the Shaitaan cinematic universe while offering a fresh take on Indian horror. Despite powerful moments, it struggles to sustain emotional impact. Perfect for fans of Indian mythology, psychological thrillers, and dark family dramas, Maa is a bold but uneven entry in Bollywood’s evolving horror genre. For decades, Indian filmmakers have treated the theme of “Maa” with the reverence usually reserved for temple bells and home-cooked dal. The maternal muse has inspired more scripts than there are grains of sand on Juhu beach—an exaggeration, perhaps, but only just. In a culture where mothers are venerated both on-screen and off—be they divine deities or domestic dynamos—it’s no wonder filmmakers can’t seem to get enough of her.

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