'Maa' and 'F1: The Movie' Review and Release Live Updates: Kajol's horror thriller clashes with Brad Pitt's sports drama

Time of India

27-06-2025

It's a great day for film lovers, as two very different but exciting movies have hit the big screens today, 27 June 2025. Kajol's horror thriller 'Maa' and Brad Pitt's sports drama 'F1: The Movie' are now playing in cinemas, offering something for everyone. Maa is Kajol's first full horror film, and it's more than just scares—it's a supernatural story rooted in mythology. Directed by Vishal Furia, Kajol plays Ambika, a brave mother trying to protect her daughter from a deadly curse. After her husband's strange death, she travels to his village, Chandarpur, searching for answers. But what starts as a simple trip turns chilling when her daughter vanishes near a haunted forest, leading to tense events and growing suspicion. If horror's not your thing, Brad Pitt's F1: The Movie brings speed, emotion, and drama. Directed by Joseph Kosinski, the film stars Pitt as Sonny Hayes, a former Formula 1 star who left racing after a major crash in the 1990s. Now, he's called back by his old teammate Reuben to save a failing team, Apex GP. Sonny teams up with a fiery young driver, Joshua Pearce (Damson Idris), and faces the challenge of proving himself again in a new racing world. Maa promises emotional horror, while F1 brings action and heart. Both are gripping and worth a watch. Stay tuned here for reviews and updates as these films light up the big screen!
07:13 (IST) Jun 27
Brad Pitt 'blown away' by driving McLaren F1 car for 'F1: The Movie'
Brad Pitt called driving a Formula One car an "extraordinary" experience as his film, 'F1: The Movie', opened in UK cinemas. Pitt, who plays F1 driver Sonny Hayes, recently drove McLaren's 2023 car at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin. Despite having driven modified F2 cars during filming, the 61-year-old was "blown away" by the F1 car. "Oh my God, what a rush," he said in a video on McLaren's social media. "A lot bigger horse than I've been on." On the Beyond the Grid podcast, Pitt shared the thrill: "I got to hit 197mph this week. I really wanted to hit 200. You know, it hurts me a little bit – three miles per hour short on the straight." He added, "You're so focused, but you're not white knuckling. You're just in this sublime groove. It is really extraordinary."
06:57 (IST) Jun 27
Ajay Devgn revealed why Kajol is the perfect fit for 'Maa's powerful mother role
Ajay Devgn is returning to the world of horror, not as an actor this time, but as a producer. He's co-producing the upcoming mythological horror film 'Maa', which stars his wife Kajol in the lead role.
At the trailer launch, Ajay joked, 'Who could he imagine in a horror role besides me?' Kajol burst out laughing while sharing the stage with him. Ajay added with a smile, 'Any husband would cast his wife,' prompting chuckles from the audience. 'Maa' follows the story of a mother who uses supernatural powers to protect her daughter from dark forces in a haunted haveli.
Speaking about why he chose Kajol for the role, Ajay said, 'The character of the mother was so strong, who else could we imagine in the role but her.'
06:56 (IST) Jun 27
Is 'F1: The Movie' based on a true story?
Sonny Hayes, the main character in 'F1: The Movie', is fictional and not based on any real F1 driver. His story is inspired by the classic tale of a fallen hero seeking redemption. Hayes is shown as a tough, rootless veteran who has spent years racing in smaller competitions. His return to Formula 1 is both a personal and professional challenge. Although the story is made up, the film was shot on real Grand Prix tracks and includes footage of actual F1 drivers and team bosses, giving it a realistic feel. Brad Pitt, who plays Hayes, mentioned the film draws from real events in F1 history, like the 2008 'Crashgate' scandal, but the character himself is not based on a real person. The film captures the spirit and drama of F1 racing while telling a fictional story
06:56 (IST) Jun 27
'Maa' gets UA 16+ rating and a 2-hour 15-minute runtime
The CBFC (Central Board of Film Certification) has given 'Maa' a UA 16+ rating. This means the film is suitable for viewers aged 16 and above, and parental guidance is advised for those younger. The movie has a total runtime of 2 hours and 15 minutes (135 minutes), promising a gripping watch for horror fans.
'Maa' stars Kajol in the lead, along with Ronit Roy, Indraneil Sengupta, Kherin Sharma, and Jitin Gulati. It is directed by Vishal Furia. The film is set in the same universe as 'Shaitaan', which featured Ajay Devgn, Jyotika, and R. Madhavan.
06:55 (IST) Jun 27
'F1: The Movie' – Cast, crew and runtime
Directed by Joseph Kosinski, 'F1: The Movie' has a runtime of 2 hours and 35 minutes (155 minutes). The Brad Pitt-starrer follows the story of Sonny Hayes, a former racing driver returning to the F1 world. The film is set to be an exciting watch for both regular viewers and Formula 1 fans.
Brad Pitt plays the lead role of Sonny Hayes, while Damson Idris stars as Joshua Pearce. Javier Bardem and Kerry Condon play Ruben Cervantes and Kate, respectively. The movie also features Tobias Menzies, Sarah Niles, Kim Bodnia, Samson Kayo, and more in supporting roles. With its high-speed drama and strong cast, 'F1: The Movie' promises a thrilling ride for all motorsport lovers.
06:55 (IST) Jun 27
Kajol calls horror film 'Maa' an emotionally exhausting experience
This isn't the first time Kajol is playing a mother on screen. She first played the role in 'Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham…' back in 2001, and later appeared in films like 'We Are Family', 'Helicopter Eela', 'Tribhanga' and 'Salaam Venky'. But 'Maa' was different, Kajol said. It took a much heavier emotional toll on her compared to her earlier roles. In a chat with IANS, she said, 'It took a lot from me because of the fact that it's a horror film.'
She added that she doesn't watch horror movies herself, so she wasn't fully ready for what the role demanded. 'I didn't realise that when I would be doing a horror film, there would be such a pitch to the entire film because I am not a horror watcher... there's an emotional pitch... there's so much happening. And yes, it was very, very draining as an actor also. Very emotionally draining as an actor to constantly keep that pitch 24x7 all the time in every shot.'
It's a great day for film fans! Whether you enjoy a good scare or prefer the rush of a sports drama, two exciting films have released today, 27 June 2025. Kajol's horror thriller 'Maa' and Brad Pitt's racing film 'F1: The Movie' are now showing in cinemas. Both movies bring completely different worlds to the big screen, and viewers are in for a thrilling movie experience.
Kajol steps into horror with 'Maa'
'Maa' marks Kajol's first full horror film, and it's not just any horror—it's a mythological supernatural thriller directed by Vishal Furia. She plays the lead role of Ambika, a strong mother who must protect her daughter from a deadly curse. The story begins after Ambika's husband dies in a mysterious, otherworldly incident. In search of answers, Ambika and her daughter visit his hometown, where they uncover a dangerous legend.
The film takes place in the fictional village of Chandarpur. Their simple road trip quickly turns into a nightmare when they make a stop at a lonely hotel near a dark forest. Things go from bad to worse when a local girl named Dipu offers to take the daughter to a haunted place—and then disappears. This sets off a tense chain of events, and suspicion begins to fall on the mother and daughter.
Brad Pitt returns to the track in 'F1:The Movie'
If you prefer action and drama over horror, 'F1: The Movie' offers an entirely different experience. Directed by Joseph Kosinski, the film stars Brad Pitt as Sonny Hayes, a former Formula 1 driver who once had a promising career. But after a serious crash in the 1990s, he disappeared from the racing scene.
Years later, he's asked to return by his former teammate Reuben Cervantes, who now runs the struggling Apex GP team. The team is in trouble—they haven't scored any points in two whole seasons. Desperate for results, Reuben brings Sonny back and pairs him with a young, talented, and hot-headed rookie, Joshua Pearce, played by Damson Idris. The film follows Sonny as he tries to make a comeback, not just in racing, but in life. The team is counting on him to help turn things around. At the same time, he must work with a new generation of racers, including Joshua, who brings both speed and drama to the story.
Which one will you watch?
Both 'Maa' and 'F1: The Movie' offer strong stories and powerful performances. If you're in the mood for spooky horror with a deep emotional bond between a mother and daughter, 'Maa' is the perfect pick. If you want adrenaline-pumping racing scenes, second chances, and action with a heart, then 'F1 The Movie' is your go-to. Both 'Maa' and 'F1: The Movie' are now showing in cinemas across the country.
Stay tuned here for live updates and reviews as these two exciting films hit the big screen!