Horror Genre Demands Secure Actors Who Take Risks says MAA Director Vishal Furia

Director Vishal Furia, known for redefining Indian horror with films like Chhorii and Chhorii 2, has now taken a giant leap into uncharted territory with Maa—India’s first mythological horror. The film, produced by Ajay Devgn and Jyoti Deshpande, and starring Kajol, Ronit Roy, Indraneil Sengupta, and Jitin Gulati, is set to release in theatres on June 27, 2025.

At the trailer launch, Vishal opened up about the challenges of pitching horror to mainstream actors in India.“Whenever I pitch horror, especially to big artists, there’s one common problem—no one wants to play the victim. Everyone wants to be the hero from the very first frame. But this genre demands that you play the victim first—only then do you emerge as the hero. That understanding comes with secure actors. Insecure ones don’t want to take that risk.”

He also reflected on his decade-long journey in the horror space and how Maa marks a turning point—not just for him, but for the entire genre in India“I’ve been making horror for the past 10 years, and I truly believe it’s a genre with immense potential that we’ve barely scratched in India. I always believed that the right time would come—when the right stars and the right people would believe in it. And now, it feels like that moment has arrived.”

Speaking about Kajol, Furia was full of admiration.“Kajol ma’am was already attached to the project, and she brings such subtle depth and precision to every frame. She doesn't need prep—she walks onto set smiling, encourages everyone, and the moment we call action, she transforms completely. We’re all left in awe.”

On being compared to Chhorii , Furia explained how MAA is different. He said, "There’s a clear thematic link between Chhorii and Maa. Both are stories about mothers—but Maa is on a much grander scale. Here, we’re invoking the spirit of Maa Kaali, a far more powerful, divine presence. The world of this film is massive—it’s a cinematic experience that must be witnessed in theatres. It’s not made for OTT.”

He reflected on the evolution of horror in India—from clumsy prosthetics and stereotypes to something more refined and psychologically deep.“We’ve had an era of bad prosthetics and half-baked horror. But things are changing now. The audience is more open. Filmmakers are getting bolder. And I believe we’re at the beginning of a new wave of horror in Indian cinema.”