Bollywood actress Kajol’s emotional drama film Maa, which opened to modest expectations and critical curiosity last week, is now showing signs of slowdown at the box office. As the weekday phase kicked in, the film’s earnings dropped significantly, with the Day 5 collection (Tuesday) reflecting a clear dip from the weekend highs.

Despite a powerful lead performance by Kajol and a strong emotional theme that resonated with a section of viewers, the film’s box office trajectory has begun to taper off. Here’s a detailed look at Maa’s 5-day box office collection, audience response, and what the trend could mean for its lifetime business.

Day-Wise Box Office Breakdown of Maa

Kajol’s Performance: Emotional Backbone of Maa

Directed by Siddharth P. Malhotra, Maa revolves around the deeply emotional relationship between a single mother and her adopted daughter. Kajol plays the titular role — a fierce, resilient, and nurturing woman fighting society and personal demons to protect her child.

Critics and audiences alike have praised Kajol’s intense and layered performance, calling it one of her strongest roles in recent years. However, the film’s slow pace and melodramatic treatment have divided viewers, particularly among younger audiences who lean toward faster narratives.

Audience Reaction: Mixed Reviews Impacting Word of Mouth

While early reviews were largely positive, especially from family audiences, mixed word of mouth has begun to impact footfall in theatres.

 Positive Aspects:

• Kajol’s performance lauded across platforms

• Strong emotional scenes in second half

• Relevant social message

 Criticisms:

• Predictable screenplay

• Lacks fresh cinematic elements

• Limited appeal among youth

Social media reactions are split, with some users calling the film a “must-watch for mothers and daughters,” while others describe it as “emotionally draining and dated.”

Screen Count and Distribution

Maa was released across approximately 1,500 screens in India and about 200 screens overseas, giving it a moderate reach. The film was marketed aggressively, especially among urban multiplex audiences in metro cities.

Despite its strategic release and moderate competition at the box office, the film hasn’t capitalized on the opportunity to scale beyond its niche appeal.

Budget and Recovery Prospects

The estimated budget of Maa is reported to be around ₹35 crore, including production and marketing costs.

With ₹25.40 crore collected in 5 days, the film still needs a solid run through the second weekend to recover costs and enter profit territory. However, with newer releases lined up this Friday, Maa will face challenges in retaining screens.

Upcoming Competition: Will Maa Survive Week 2?

The film is expected to face stiff competition from upcoming titles like:

• Aankhon Ki Gustakhiyaan (Vikrant Massey, Shanaya Kapoor)

• The Kashmir Lie (Political drama)

• Hollywood biggies like Deadpool & Wolverine

If Maa fails to maintain weekday stability or see a jump on the second Saturday, it might wrap up under ₹40 crore — a disappointing number for a Kajol-led project.

Comparative Analysis: How Does Maa Stack Up?

Let’s compare Maa to other women-led emotional dramas from recent years:

Compared to the above, Maa stands between a mid-range success and an underperformer, depending on how the second weekend unfolds.

Streaming Rights and Satellite Deal

According to trade insiders, Maa has already sold its digital streaming rights to Netflix and satellite rights to Colors TV, helping producers secure revenue outside theatrical earnings.

• OTT Release Expected: August 2025

• Digital Partner: Netflix India

• TV Premiere Window: Within 90 days of theatrical release

This could soften the box office pressure and help the film reach a wider audience.

Kajol’s Maa may have started strong, but the box office performance post-weekend reveals the fragile theatrical sustainability of niche emotional dramas in 2025. With mixed reviews and limited youth appeal, the film’s success now hinges on weekday retention and second-weekend growth.

While Kajol continues to shine with powerful performances, Maa may ultimately find its real audience in the OTT space, where emotional stories often find greater resonance.

Stay tuned to KKNLive.com for daily box office updates, film reviews, and insider insights into Bollywood’s evolving landscape.