Actor Jitin Gulati, known for his impactful performances in both film and digital spaces, has opened up about his upcoming film Maa, calling it a cinematic experience unlike anything Indian audiences have seen before. Speaking passionately about the project, Gulati revealed that Maa is a rare blend of India’s culturally rich folklore and groundbreaking visual effects, crafted to appeal to both emotion and spectacle.
Describing the film as “deeply rooted in tradition yet forward-looking in its execution,” Gulati explained that Maa is not just another mythological story, but a heartfelt tribute to the mystical narratives passed down through generations — stories that have lived in oral traditions, village performances, temple rituals, and bedtime tales.
“Maa isn’t just a film; it’s a journey through the emotional and spiritual psyche of Indian storytelling,” said Jitin. “We’re tapping into the collective memory of the subcontinent — the fear, reverence, and beauty associated with the divine feminine. And we’re bringing it to life using the best of modern technology, including cutting-edge VFX that rivals anything seen in global cinema.”
The film, directed by an emerging visionary filmmaker (whose name is expected to be officially announced soon), reportedly revolves around the tale of a powerful village deity — referred to simply as “Maa” — who protects her people from both natural and supernatural forces. Set in a timeless landscape that oscillates between the real and the mythic, the story is said to feature folklore-inspired creatures, age-old rituals, and a protagonist caught between faith and fate.
What sets Maa apart, according to Gulati, is how the production team has worked meticulously to honor the source culture. “We didn’t want to exoticize or water down the folklore. We consulted rural storytellers, temple priests, folk artists, and historians. The visuals may be driven by technology, but the soul of the story belongs to the people who have preserved these traditions for centuries.”
Gulati also spoke about his personal journey with the film, revealing how working on Maa has been creatively transformative. “This role required a lot of introspection. I had to unlearn certain modern mannerisms and immerse myself in a world where every gesture, every silence, carries spiritual weight. It’s been physically and emotionally demanding — but incredibly rewarding.”
In terms of production scale, Maa is being billed as one of the most ambitious genre films to come out of India in recent years. VFX teams from international studios have been roped in to create an otherworldly visual language that still feels rooted in Indian aesthetics. From shape-shifting forest spirits to sequences involving divine wrath, the film promises a mix of emotional drama and visual spectacle rarely seen in Indian folklore-based cinema.
“What Marvel does with superheroes, we’re trying to do with our mythology — but with authenticity and heart,” Gulati said. “The magic isn’t just in what we see, but in what we feel. And Maa will make you feel — awe, fear, love, and above all, reverence.”
The film also features a strong ensemble cast and a hauntingly beautiful score that incorporates traditional instruments with contemporary orchestration. The makers are aiming for a pan-India release, with versions dubbed in multiple regional languages and plans for international distribution as well.
As excitement builds around the project, fans and critics alike are eager to see whether Maa will mark a new chapter in Indian storytelling — one where ancestral wisdom meets state-of-the-art cinema. For Jitin Gulati, the hope is clear: “If Maa can reconnect people with the forgotten power of our folklore while also pushing the boundaries of Indian filmmaking, then we’ve done our job.”
