While horror films are gradually gaining traction in Hindi cinema, well-crafted entries in the genre remain scarce. Rarer still, as writer Saiwyn Quadras notes, are those that draw deeply from Indian cultural roots and Kajol starrer mythological horror is one of them. Directed by Vishal Furia, Maa is set in West Bengal and revolves around a mother who goes all out to protect her daughter from an evil force. Quadras says that the idea struck him after he noticed Kajol’s devotion to Durga.

Writer Saiwyan Quadras shares,“Maa is a blend of mythology, horror, and fantasy, which has supernatural elements stemming from our tradition and culture. That has been missing from Hindi films. Ajay [Devgn, producer] wanted a horror story for Kajol ma’am, and I didn’t have any in mind. One day, it struck me that during every Durga Puja, Kajol visits the pandals in Mumbai. Durga Maa is the symbol of maternal love. Her love is considered a weakness, but if a mother is pushed to a corner to protect her child, that weakness becomes her strength. That formed the story arc — Maa Durga becoming Maa Kali to protect her child.”

When he pitched the concept to Ajay Devgn, it was an instant yes. “Ajay sir asked me to write it in 10 days, but within four days, he asked me to narrate it to Kajol ma’am,” the writer recalls. Another yes promptly followed. “She fell in love with the concept, and asked me if I’d be ready with the script in a month. When I said I couldn’t, she said, ‘I believe in you. You can do it.’” He adds that he couldn’t have asked for a stronger performer than Kajol to lead the movie. “She is magic. She will be crying as per the scene, and the moment the director says cut, she is back to normal, asking, ‘Where’s my coffee?"

He also said, “It will depend on the producers’ excitement to take the story forward, depending on the film’s success or failure. I have a few ideas of continuing the journey. I had an idea two months ago, which I shared with Ajay sir and he liked it.”

Presented by Jio Studios and Devgn Films, MAA is produced by Ajay Devgn and Jyoti Subbarayan and co-produced by Kumar Mangat Pathak. The film is set for a theatrical release on 27th June 2025.