Kajol embraces divine feminine power in ‘Maa'
'It was such a visceral experience — hypnotic, really,' Kajol recalled. 'Everyone on set could feel it. You go into a daze listening to that song. It has this incredible power.'
One of the most transformative moments for Kajol came during the unveiling of the Goddess Kali statue. Covered during the initial days of shooting, the statue was revealed during a key scene. Kajol remembers feeling awestruck when she first laid eyes on it. 'I literally gasped. She was so powerful, so beautiful. That shot, when I remove the cloth from Kali Maa, is one of the most impactful visuals of the film,' she said.
Expressing heartfelt gratitude, Kajol shared how working in front of the idol each day gave her a deep sense of connection. 'I felt blessed — like I was performing in front of the goddess herself. It was truly unique,' she added.
Maa explores a mother-daughter duo caught in a demonic curse in the husband's ancestral town. Also starring Ronit Roy, Indraneil Sengupta, and Kherin Sharma, the film serves as a spiritual spinoff to 2024's Shaitaan.
Through her role, Kajol embodies strength, divinity, and the essence of womanhood, reminding audiences of the power and grace rooted in the feminine spirit.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
2 hours ago
- The Hindu
‘Saiyaara': Mohit Suri's romance drama earns ₹119 crore worldwide
Mohit Suri's romantic drama Saiyaara, featuring debutant Ahaan Panday and actor Aneet Padda, grossed ₹119 crore in the first three days, the makers said on Monday (July 21). The movie, which marks Panday's big screen debut and a critically-praised turn for Padda, who previously featured in Big Girls Don't Cry and Kajol-starrer Salaam Venky, earned ₹101.75 (gross) and ₹84 crore (nett) in India and brought in ₹17.25 crore from international markets. Helmed by Mohit Suri of Ek Villain and Aashiqui 2 fame, the movie is produced by Yash Raj Films. Social media is filled with fans reacting strongly to the love story with many crying as the credits roll and some dancing to its songs with their friends. The film's impressive three-day run at the box office has beaten the lifetime collection of other debuts of star kids like Alia Bhatt's Student of the Year and Jahnvi Kapoor and Ishaan Khattar's Dhadak, which earned ₹70 crore and ₹73 crore (lifetime). Panday is Chunky Pandey's nephew. Saiyaara follows Krish, played by Panday, an ambitious musician, and Vaani, played by Padda, a shy lyricist recovering from heartbreak. The chemistry of the lead pair, built through soulful songwriting sessions and raw emotional moments, is the heart of the film, reads the official logline. Saiyaara opened with ₹22 crore, earned ₹26.25 crore on day two, and it has made ₹35.75 crore on day three, according to Yash Raj Films in the domestic box office amounting to ₹84 crore. In the international box office, the film has made ₹17.25 crore. It is also Suri's highest opening among his other films -- Ek Villain earned ₹16 crore on day one, Aashiqui 2 made over ₹6 crore and Murder 2 earned almost ₹7 crore on the first day of their release. The film is the first and only romance movie to gross over ₹100 crore in its opening weekend. The film is among the highest-grossing opening weekend alongside films like Vicky Kaushal's Chhaava (₹122.43 crore), Salman Khan's Sikandar (₹90.25 crore) and Akshay Kumar's ensemble comedy Housefull 5 (₹91.83 crore). Yash Raj Films has requested exhibitors not to hike ticket prices in order to keep them accessible for the youth supporting the film. The production house has kept both Panday and Padda away from the promotions of the film. The music of Saiyaara, which features seven songs composed by Mithoon, Sachet-Parampara, Tanishk Bagchi, Rishabh Kant, Vishal Mishra, Faheem Abdullah and Arslan Nisami, is already a chartbuster. Alongside Panday and Padda, the romance also stars Geeta Agarwal, Rajesh Kumar, Varun Badola and Shaad Randhawa in key roles.
News18
2 hours ago
- News18
Grew up to your school of cinema Ahaan Panday thanks Karan Johar
New Delhi, Jul 21 (PTI) Actor Ahaan Panday, who is basking in the success of his debut movie 'Saiyaara", expressed gratitude to Karan Johar after the filmmaker praised his performance in the Mohit Suri-directed romantic drama. Johar shared a heartfelt note on his Instagram on Monday lauding Panday's performance. 'What a debut @ahaanpandayy !!!! You broke my heart and yet energised me as a filmmaker… your eyes spoke volumes and I can't wait to see your journey ahead…. You are spectacular," Johar wrote. The 27-year-old actor responded to the message by re-sharing the post on his Instagram story. Panday said he grew up watching Johar's films including his 1998 directorial debut 'Kuch Kuch Hota Hai" and he is 'shell-shocked" to be praised by the filmmaker. 'I grew up watching 'Kuch Kuch Hota Hai', I grew up to your school of cinema, and to hear this from you, I am truly shell-shocked. Thank you sir, from the bottom of my heart for this and for everything you've given us, thank you a thousand times over," he wrote in his story. Released on July 18, 'Saiyaara" also stars Aneet Padda, known for featuring in web series 'Big Girls Don't Cry" and the Kajol-starrer film 'Salaam Venky". The film has already grossed Rs 119 crore at the global box office in its opening weekend, according to Yash Raj Films, who have produced the movie. Actor Ranveer Singh, who made his acting debut with YRF with the 2010 film 'Band Baaja Baaraat", also showered praise on Panday. Sharing the poster of the film on his Instagram story, Singh wrote, 'SAIYAARA is HEARTFELT. The very best of Mohit Suri. Congrats to my dear friends at YRF – Akshay (Widhani), Sumana (Ghosh) and Shanoo (Sharma) for an unprecedented feat. Ahaan and Aneet, you were special. A scintillating debut! God bless you & welcome to the movies." PTI ATR ATR ATR view comments First Published: July 21, 2025, 18:45 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Time of India
6 hours ago
- Time of India
I just want to be around people who genuinely care for me: Surjasikha Das
Actor Surjasikha Das, last seen in the film Maa , is spending her birthday this year far from the bustle of parties or shoots. Instead, she is heading to Ujjain to visit the Mahakaleshwar temple, fulfilling a spiritual goal that's been on her list for a long time. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now 'This trip has been on my list for a while,' she says. 'As a Shiva devotee, visiting Mahakal feels deeply personal. I've been to Trimbakeshwar and Kedarnath before, and I've been waiting for this moment.' For Surjasikha, birthdays hold a special connection to work. 'I remember shooting for Parth Aur Jugnu in Shimla on one of my birthdays. I felt so content. That's the dream—to be working, doing what I love, and earning on my birthday. It makes me feel alive and grateful.' Her way of celebrating has shifted over the years. 'As a child, it was all about friends, balloons, and gifts. But as I've grown, I've come to value more meaningful moments. I don't need a crowd—I just want to be around people who genuinely care for me.' Surjasikha shares that many of her birthdays have been spent with her mother, whom she calls her greatest support. 'She's always been there, and those quiet celebrations with her have become the most memorable. The biggest gift I receive each year is wisdom. It's not something anyone gives me—it's something life teaches me. That learning, that self-awareness, is what I truly treasure.'
