Bollywood superstar Kajol‘s highly anticipated film, ‘Maa,’ a mythological horror thriller, has made a significant impact at the box office since its release on June 27, 2025. This latest offering from the cinematic universe established by Ajay Devgn‘s blockbuster ‘Shaitaan’ has captivated audiences, despite receiving mixed reviews from critics. Kajol’s powerful performance as Maa Ambika, a mother fighting fiercely to protect her daughter from evil spirits, has particularly resonated with viewers, driving strong box office numbers in its opening weekend.

The film’s initial two-day collections are now out, revealing a promising trajectory for ‘Maa’ as it capitalizes on the crucial weekend earnings. The unique blend of mythological elements with a gripping horror narrative, coupled with Kajol’s intense portrayal of a protective mother, seems to have struck a chord with the Indian audience.

‘Maa’ Benefits from Strong Weekend Buzz

‘Maa’ opened to considerable anticipation from fans eager to see Kajol in a new and challenging role. The film’s premise, revolving around a mother’s selfless battle against a malevolent entity to save her child, taps into universal themes of maternal love and sacrifice, which are often highly appreciated by the Indian audience. The strong emotional core of the film, depicting the profound bond between a mother and daughter, has been a key factor in its appeal.

The film enjoyed the full advantage of the weekend, witnessing a substantial jump in collections from its opening day. On its release day, Friday, June 27, ‘Maa’ kicked off its box office journey with a respectable ₹4.65 crore. The momentum continued into its second day, Saturday, June 28, with early reports from Sacnilk indicating a robust collection of ₹5.65 crore from the domestic box office. This impressive growth on Saturday has propelled the film’s total two-day collection to a solid ₹10.30 crore. Industry analysts are optimistic that ‘Maa’ will continue its strong performance, especially with the Sunday collections yet to be factored in, likely further boosting its overall weekend numbers.

Kajol’s Portrayal of Maa Ambika: A Standout Performance

One of the undeniable highlights of ‘Maa’ is Kajol’s compelling performance in the titular role of Maa Ambika. Known for her versatility and emotional depth, Kajol delivers a powerful portrayal of a mother who goes to extreme lengths, risking her own life, to shield her daughter from a malevolent supernatural force. Her ability to convey both vulnerability and fierce determination has been widely praised by audiences, even by those who offered mixed critical responses to the film’s overall narrative. This strong central performance is undoubtedly a major draw for the film and a key reason for its early box office success.

The film’s genre, mythological horror, is also a significant draw. It combines elements of traditional Indian folklore and spiritual beliefs with the suspense and scares typical of the horror genre. This unique combination, previously explored successfully in films like ‘Shaitaan,’ appeals to a broad demographic interested in supernatural thrillers with a cultural grounding. The connection to the ‘Shaitaan’ universe, a film that was a box office hit, also likely generated additional interest and curiosity for ‘Maa.’

‘Maa’ Outperforms Eight 2025 Films in Just Two Days

The early box office success of ‘Maa’ is particularly noteworthy as it faces stiff competition from other major releases, including Aamir Khan’s ‘Sitare Zameen Par’ and ‘Kannappa.’ Despite this competitive environment, ‘Maa’ has managed to establish a strong foothold, showcasing its appeal to the audience.

In an impressive feat, ‘Maa’ has already surpassed the lifetime collection of eight films released in 2025 within just its first two days. This demonstrates the film’s significant drawing power and its ability to capture audience attention more effectively than several other releases this year. The films whose lifetime collections have been overtaken by ‘Maa’ in just two days include:

• Lavyapa – ₹6.85 crore
• Superboys of Malegaon – ₹5.32 crore
• Badass Ravikumar – ₹8.38 crore
• Chidiya – ₹0.08 crore (₹8 lakh)
• The Bhootni – ₹9.57 crore
• Kesari Veer – ₹1.53 crore
• Kampkampi – ₹1.5 crore
• Phule – ₹6.85 crore

This early success positions ‘Maa’ as one of the more successful films of 2025 so far and indicates positive word-of-mouth contributing to its collections. The film’s ability to pull audiences to cinemas, despite competition and mixed critical reception, underscores the power of strong performances and engaging genre storytelling in the Indian market.

As ‘Maa’ continues its run, all eyes will be on its performance over the remainder of the weekend and into the crucial weekday collections. Its strong opening suggests that it has the potential to become a significant commercial success for Kajol and the filmmakers, further solidifying the mythological horror genre’s presence in Bollywood.