India, June 27 -- "Main yahaan baithkar chamatkar ka intezaar nahi kar sakti," declares Kajol's character towards the climax, as her daughter is abducted by a supernatural force. Fair enough, because frankly, neither can we. We've already spent two hours waiting for any sign of horror in this horror-mythological film. If something doesn't start spooking us soon, we might just call the monster ourselves.

Maa, directed by Vishal Furia of Chhorii fame, kicks off with a girl child's sacrifice in Chandrapur, and then we are immediately transported 40 years later. Ambika (Kajol) is leading a happy life with her husband Shubhankar (Indraneil Sengupta) and daughter Shweta (Kherin Sharma). For some reason, they don't want to visit Chandrapur, Shu...