Kajol’s score horror film Maa keeps marking its presence at the box office. Released on June 27, the mythological horror thriller has now exceeded the Rs 30 crore mark, courtesy of a good second weekend. According to initial estimates by Sacnilk, the film collected Rs 2.35 crore on day 10 (Sunday, July 6), reflecting a strong growth from Saturday’s Rs 1.75 crore.
The overall box office total is now Rs 31.60 crore, which indicates consistent audience interest in the movie despite the presence of other big releases such as Sitaare Zameen Par and Kannappa. The movie opened on a strong note, grossing Rs 4.65 crore on its opening day.
A Bold Genre Shift for Kajol
Directed by Vishal Furia, Maa is Kajol’s horror debut. She essays Ambika, a stern mother who takes supernatural measures to keep her daughter safe from evil mythological forces. The film combines myth, mystery, and horror, something new in Indian cinema.
The supporting cast includes Indraneil Sengupta, Jitin Gulati, and Kherin Sharma, with Ajay Devgn and Jyoti Subbarayan handling the production.
Also Read: Kajol’s Maa Faces Stiff Competition, Yet Rakes in Rs 25.2 Crore in First Week
Mixed Reviews but Steady Footfall
While Maa is doing well at the box office, its critical reception has been mixed. News18 ran a review pointing out that even though the idea was promising, the storytelling was dated. The way Bengali culture was projected, mainly the over-the-top accent and stereotypical dialogue delivery, was criticized.
One of the contentious points was the unrealistic portrayal of a almost 30-foot tall Kali maa statue and the heavily accented Hindi of Ronit Roy. Critics felt these aspects tipped into stereotypes instead of realistic portrayal.
Even so, the box office success of the film indicates that viewers are accepting Kajol’s new avatar for the bold.
