Mothers and Monsters

Maa | Director: Vishal Furia | Cast: Kajol, Ronit Roy | Hindi

EVERYONE’S GOT A saviour com­plex these days, and everyone also wants to ride the horror film band­wagon. But when a star like Kajol puts her money where her mouth is, one has to take notice. This is one actor who has aged gracefully on screen, and plays the protec­tive mother with authenticity. She doesn’t need any help fighting her battles too, and demons, in human and other forms, are easy peasy. As in the short film Devi (2020), she packs a powerful punch when it comes to social commen­tary, and watching her demolish enemies onscreen is fun. Vishal Furia, the director who made the Marathi film Lapachhapi (2017) as well as Chhorii (2021), and Chhorii 2 (2025), is an expert at blending myth and horror, and brings his set of tools here too. Tree-dwelling monsters, innocent baby girls, corrupt villagers, and a jungle hungry for blood, all make for a story that is engrossing, if somewhat predictable. But the producers’ invoking of their mothers’ names in a film designed to smash the patriarchy seems more of a marketing gimmick and less of a genuine gesture. Next time, try winning audiences with storytelling alone.

KajolMaaRonit RoyVishal Furia