Fri Jun 27 11:10:00 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a news article summarizing the review of the Bollywood film “Maa,” starring Kajol, as published in *The Hindu*:

**Headline: Kajol’s ‘Maa’ Recycles Tired Bollywood Mother-Savior Trope, Review Finds**

**Mumbai, June 27, 2025** – Kajol’s latest film, “Maa,” sees the actress taking on the familiar role of a doting mother who transforms into a fierce protector of her family, but a review published in *The Hindu* suggests the film fails to breathe fresh life into a well-worn Bollywood formula.

The film, directed by Vishal Furia, attempts to blend the “mother in distress” trope with supernatural mystery, similar to Furia’s previous work, “Chhorii.” Set in Bengal, “Maa” incorporates elements of local mythology, drawing on the goddess Durga’s symbolism and fight against evil. The story centers around Ambika (Kajol), who must confront a demonic curse endangering her daughter, Shweta (Kherin Sharma), after her husband, Shuvankar (Indraneil Sengupta), is forced to return to his ancestral home.

However, the reviewer criticizes the film for being predictable and lacking engagement. Despite the on-location shooting, “Maa” feels artificial, and the attempt to connect the demonic past with patriarchal issues falls flat. The demon Raktabeej, a popular figure in Hindi cinema, is used in a way that feels tired and uninspired.

While the film touches upon relevant topics, such as discussing menstruation with teenagers, the reviewer finds the execution heavy-handed. The performances of supporting actors are criticized for being over-the-top and for the exaggerated Bengali accents.

The review also points out the lack of moral dilemmas and difficult decisions, which kept the audience engaged in Chhorii. The CGI monsters and the storyline become irritating, but one sequence where Ambika and Shweta are chased by monster girls grabs the viewers attention.

The reviewer notes the potential for future connections with the film “Shaitaan,” hinting at a possible cinematic universe involving Kajol and Ajay Devgn. However, the seed for this crossover isn’t strong enough.

Ultimately, the reviewer finds that Kajol’s performance, while typically strong in its no-nonsense approach, is hampered by emotionally weak writing. The film misses the opportunity to bring out the intensity of past performances, like Naina in “Dushman.”

“Maa” is currently playing in theaters, but the review suggests that the film struggles to offer anything new to audiences familiar with the genre, it is not worth the viewer’s time or the guardians of the universe.

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