Bollywood comebacks tend to be big but short-lived. But Kajol’s comeback with Maa is different, more intense, more personal, and much longer-lasting. Currently scheduled to release on June 27, this mythological horror drama is not only grabbing eyeballs for its genre break of sorts. It’s the creative team behind the project, particularly Ajay Devgn’s unexpected turn in the finale, that are providing an element of surprise.A Genre-Bending Experiment with Heart
Directed by Vishal Furia, who previously helmed the critically praised Chhorii, Maa is not your typical horror movie. It taps into Indian mythology, maternal ferocity, and supernatural fiction to spin a spine-tingling yet emotionally rooted story. Kajol essay the lead character of a mother who becomes trapped in a cosmic struggle, fighting against unearthly entities to rescue her daughter. It is a character filled with fear, courage, and religious rebellion, tailor-made for such an actress as Kajol.
But even as she is the center of focus for her acting, the off-screen life of the movie is also worth a look.Ajay Devgn: From Producer to Director (Again)
While technically the producer, Ajay Devgn’s contribution is far more extensive than accounting ledgers and set placements. In a recent promotional press meet, Kajol spoke of how Ajay came in to handle the crucial part of the film’s climax himself. Exactly, she said that he directed “a short part of the climax,” dealing with adrenaline-packed action pieces and complex post-production work, particularly visual effects.
And if anybody is aware of Devgn’s previous work, this does not come as a surprise. His interest in action and VFX has been clear for long, especially in movies like Shivaay, where he delved into the filmmaking possibilities of CGI. With Maa, it seems that passion has found a new outlet.
Kajol praised her husband’s hands-on approach to the technical aspects, describing it as a “masterclass in visual storytelling.” According to her, Ajay didn’t just step in to finish a scene, he immersed himself in the emotion, atmosphere, and symbolism that the climax demanded.Writing a High-Impact Climax
When mythological content intersects with horror, the visual narrative has to tread extremely carefully. Between religious symbols and ghostly creatures, each frame needs to do justice to the fantastical as well as the emotional. That’s where Devgn’s own eye for cinematic detail would have come in handy.
His input did not stop at action choreography or camera angles. He was an active participant with the post-production team, tweaking visual effects so that the finale would be maximally intense. In a genre where CGI can become so overtly or misplacedly used, Devgn’s input could mean a climax that is both grand and grounded.
A Surprise Cameo in the Cards?
Adding another twist to the tale is the buzz around a possible Ajay Devgn cameo. While the makers haven’t confirmed anything officially, several insiders suggest that Devgn might appear briefly on-screen, possibly as a character that connects Maa to the Shaitaan Universe, his horror-thriller franchise launched in 2024.
If this theory is true, Maa might be more than a standalone film. It may become the next installment in a slowly building cinematic universe, an idea even now fairly untested in Indian cinema. A Devgn cameo, no matter how brief, would not only thrill fans but also serve to cement Maa as part of something even greater.Beyond Star Power: A Story Rooted in Emotion and Myth
In spite of the Devgn buzz, Maa isn’t just coasting on celebrity fuel. The story of the film, written by Saiwyn Quadras (writer of Mary Kom), has a strong emotional center. It delves into issues of motherhood, sacrifice, belief, and survival, steeped in the myth of mythology and the fear of the supernatural.
Kajol’s character is not only battling spirits, she’s battling fate, ancient curses, and celestial politics. That richness requires a performance that’s both emotionally raw and spiritually resilient. And Kajol, with her natural flair for communicating intensity and vulnerability, appears more than up to the challenge.
A Stellar Supporting Cast
Supporting Kajol is a strong supporting cast in the form of Ronit Roy, Indraneil Sengupta, and Jitin Gulati, all of whom are versatile and screen-presence commanded actors. Their characters, which are not much revealed in pre-releasing advertisements, are likely to become important in the dark plot, providing additional texture to Maa’s world.