Maa Box Office Prediction: Will Kajol’s Horror-Thriller Surprise on Day One?
Kajol’s Bold Leap into Horror
Kajol, a veteran Bollywood actress with 33 years in the industry, is set to make her horror genre debut with Maa, a mythological horror-thriller directed by Vishal Furia, known for Chhorii and Chhorii 2. Set to release on June 27, 2025, in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and Bengali, Maa is part of the Shaitaan cinematic universe, produced by Ajay Devgn’s Devgn Films and Jio Studios. The film’s trailer, praised for its eerie visuals and gripping narrative, has generated significant buzz, positioning Maa as a potential box office surprise. However, it faces stiff competition from Housefull 5, Sitaare Zameen Par, and Sonakshi Sinha’s Nikita Roy. This blog explores Maa’s day one box office potential, public sentiment on X, and the controversy surrounding Kajol’s promotional remarks.
Box Office Prediction: Day One Expectations
Industry analysts predict that Maa could open with a collection of 6-8 crore rupees at the Indian box office on June 27, 2025. This projection is driven by strong pre-release buzz, with 29.6K users showing interest on BookMyShow, outpacing Nikita Roy’s 26.2K interests by 13%. The film’s connection to the successful Shaitaan universe, which grossed significant numbers in 2024, adds to its appeal. If Maa achieves a 6 crore opening, it would mark a 372% higher opening than Ajay Devgn’s first horror film, Bhoot (1.27 crores in 2003), and a 605% jump over Kajol’s last solo theatrical release, Helicopter Eela (0.85 crores in 2018). A strong opening could place Maa among the top 10 female-centric openers, potentially surpassing Priyanka Chopra’s Mary Kom (8 crores) but needing at least 8.7 crores to challenge Kangana Ranaut’s Tanu Weds Manu Returns for a top-five spot.
However, the box office clash with Nikita Roy, another supernatural thriller, and the lingering buzz of Aamir Khan’s Sitaare Zameen Par (released a week earlier) could split audiences. Housefull 5, a comedy-thriller with a star-studded cast, also poses a threat. Despite these challenges, the horror genre’s recent success with films like Stree 2, Shaitaan, and Munjya suggests Maa could capitalize on audience appetite for spine-chilling content, provided it delivers on its promising trailer.
Koimoi predicts: “Maa could open in the range of 6-8 crores at the Indian box office, a massive leap for Kajol after years of theatrical drought.”
X Post Reactions: Fan Excitement and Controversy
The trailer and promotional materials for Maa have sparked lively discussions on X, reflecting both enthusiasm and controversy. Below are five notable posts capturing the sentiment:
@taran_adarsh: AJAY DEVGN – JIO STUDIOS REUNITE: KAJOL STARS IN MYTHOLOGICAL-HORROR FILM ‘MAA’… 27 JUNE 2025 RELEASE… After the super-success of Shaitaan, JioStudios and DevgnFilms join forces for MaaTheFilm, a mythological-horror film starring Kajol in the lead.
@SumitkadeI: Maa could emerge as a BOX OFFICE SURPRISE… Theatrical trailer is receiving a terrific response across circuits. With positive undercurrents building, film is on track for a good opening, first surprise HIT of 2025 may be incoming. Kajol MaaTheFilm JioStudios AjayDevgn
@yogibabaprod: When they announced Maa and the first look came out I was skeptic for a lot of reasons, but after this trailer my perception has changed. Every shot gave me goosebumps, the mix of horror and thriller is what we have been missing in theaters since a long time and Kajol in Maa.
@ANI: Mumbai: On her upcoming film ‘Maa’, actor Kajol says, “I am very excited. My film is releasing in theatres after several years…Every actor has to reinvent themselves every time. I had never thought that I would do a horror film…When we heard the script of ‘Maa’, we…
@RamojiSkeptic: Kajol calling Ramoji Film City haunted is just a cheap publicity stunt for Maa. No evidence, just vibes. Defamation case incoming? Maa Kajol
Kajol’s Paranormal Claims and Backlash
In a promotional interview for Maa, Kajol shared personal experiences with paranormal energy, stating, “I have experienced this multiple times. Call it negative energy or vibes, but sometimes, when you go to a place, you feel like something isn’t right.” She cited Ramoji Film City in Hyderabad as one of the “most haunted places in the world,” where she struggled to sleep during shoots. These remarks sparked controversy on X, with some accusing her of fabricating stories for publicity. One user wrote, “Kajol is just trying to promote her new horror movie that’s it!” Another criticized her for making “baseless and useless statements” about Ramoji Film City, noting that colleagues who worked there, including at night, reported no such experiences. A third user suggested that the Ramoji Group could pursue a defamation suit, highlighting the potential legal risk of her comments.
“I’ve shot at places where I couldn’t sleep all night, where I felt it would be good if I could just leave this place,” Kajol said, stirring debate online.
Competition and Challenges
Maa’s release on June 27, 2025, coincides with a crowded box office landscape. Nikita Roy, a supernatural thriller starring Sonakshi Sinha and Paresh Rawal, is a direct competitor in the horror genre, though Maa leads with 13% higher BookMyShow interest (29.6K vs. 26.2K). Housefull 5, a comedy-thriller, and Aamir Khan’s Sitaare Zameen Par, a social drama with strong pre-release buzz, could draw audiences away. The success of Shaitaan, which benefited from the horror genre’s recent popularity, gives Maa an edge, but its ability to stand out will depend on word-of-mouth and critical reception. Rumors of a cameo by R. Madhavan, who starred in Shaitaan, could further boost interest.
Cast and Crew: A Strong Ensemble
Maa features a robust supporting cast, including Ronit Roy, Indraneil Sengupta, Jitin Gulati, Gopal Singh, Suryasikha Das, Yaani Bharadwaj, Rupakatha Chakraborty, and Kherin Sharma. Directed by Vishal Furia, whose horror credentials include Chhorii and Chhorii 2, the film is written by Saiwyn Quadras and produced by Ajay Devgn, Jyoti Deshpande, and Kumar Mangat Pathak. The film’s mythological horror narrative, centered on a mother’s battle against supernatural forces to protect her daughter, promises a blend of emotional depth and chilling suspense, as per its synopsis: “Maa explores the timeless battle between good and evil, delivering spine-chilling suspense and intense drama.”
Potential for a Breakout Hit
Kajol’s last solo theatrical release, Helicopter Eela (2018), earned just 0.85 crores on its opening day, and her post-COVID theatrical outing, Salaam Venky (2022), underperformed. Maa represents a significant opportunity for a comeback, especially given the horror genre’s recent success. With a rumored budget of 50 crores, a 6-8 crore opening would be a strong start, potentially leading to a lifetime collection of 55 crores or more to rank among Kajol’s top-grossing films. The film’s pan-Indian release in four languages and its connection to the Shaitaan universe could broaden its appeal, but the controversy over Kajol’s Ramoji Film City comments may impact its reception in certain regions.
Filmibeat notes: “The trailer’s eerie mood and layered mythology have won praise from fans and critics alike, fueling speculation that the film might become the sleeper hit of the quarter.”
Maa is poised to be a significant milestone for Kajol, marking her bold entry into the horror genre with a film that has generated substantial pre-release hype. Its projected 6-8 crore opening day collection could outshine competitors like Nikita Roy and challenge the top female-centric openers, driven by the Shaitaan universe’s appeal and a strong trailer response. However, the box office clash with Housefull 5 and Sitaare Zameen Par, along with the controversy over Kajol’s paranormal remarks, could pose challenges. As posts on X indicate, fans are excited about the film’s potential, but its success will hinge on delivering a compelling horror experience. With its release just days away, Maa has the chance to surprise and solidify Kajol’s box office legacy.
Disclaimer: The box office predictions and opinions expressed in this article are based on current trends and public sentiment as of June 22, 2025. Actual collections may vary due to market dynamics and audience reception. The views on Kajol’s statements are reflective of public discourse and do not endorse or refute claims about Ramoji Film City.
Source: Information compiled from industry reports, BookMyShow data, and public reactions on X as of June 22, 2025.
