Maa Movie Review ｜ Anupama Chopra ｜ THR India

Anupama Chopra reviews MAA, the latest entry in the expanding Shaitaan universe — a genre-bending mytho-horror film directed by Vishal Furia and written by Saiwyn Quadras. In this review, Anupama looks at Kajol’s fierce turn as Ambika, a mother forced to unleash her divine wrath when her daughter is targeted by a demon in the haunted village of Chandanpur. MAA draws inspiration from the legend of Kali Maa and Raktbeej, blending mythology with horror tropes in a modern setting. While the premise holds promise, Anupama discusses how the execution falters — from a sluggish pace and a weak antagonist to underwhelming VFX and scares that rarely land. The review explores Kajol’s commanding screen presence, the film’s feminist undertones, and the broader themes around maternal strength, while questioning whether the film delivers enough of its lead star’s fury. She also connects MAA to previous genre titles like Bulbbul, Rosemary’s Baby, and Stree, examining its place in the evolving landscape of Hindi horror.