Mumbai, June 12 -- While horror films are gradually gaining traction in Hindi cinema, well-crafted entries in the genre remain scarce. Rarer still, as writer Saiwyn Quadras notes, are those that draw deeply from Indian cultural roots and Kajol starrer mythological horror is one of them. Directed by Vishal Furia, Maa is set in West Bengal and revolves around a mother who goes all out to protect her daughter from an evil force. Quadras says that the idea struck him after he noticed Kajol's devotion to Durga.

Writer Saiwyan Quadras shares,"Maa is a blend of mythology, horror, and fantasy, which has supernatural elements stemming from our tradition and culture. That has been missing from Hindi films. Ajay [Devgn, producer] wanted a horror st...