Poster of Maa.
Credit: Jio Studios
Kajol has been busy promoting her upcoming movie Maa and is engaged in a series of promotional activities and media interviews. While her appearances have generally attracted positive attention, one particular interview of Kajol has sparked controversy.
In the interview, she referred to Ramoji Film City as a prime example of a haunted site in India. Her statement didn’t go down well with many, particularly from the South Indian audience and film fraternity, who criticised the remark and called her out for her ‘inappropriate and baseless’ comment, accusing her of using cheap sensationalism to promote her film.
Following weeks of online backlash, Kajol tried to ease the tension by addressing the controversy. Taking to her X account (formerly Twitter), Kajol clarified her earlier comments regarding Ramoji Film City, one of the largest and most prominent film studio complexes in India.
She wrote, “I wish to address my earlier remark about Ramoji Film City in the context of promoting my film MAA. I have filmed multiple projects at Ramoji Film City and stayed there many times over the years. I have always found it to be a very professional environment for filmmaking, and I have seen so many tourists enjoying themselves. It’s a great destination and absolutely safe for families and children.” (sic)
Earlier during the media interview, Kajol recalled her unsettling experience at Ramoji Film City and said, “There were places where we stayed and shot scenes, but we couldn’t sleep a wink. It felt eerie — as if leaving that place would be nearly impossible, and we might never return.”
“There are many places, but one prime example is Ramoji Rao Studios in Hyderabad, which is considered one of the most haunted places in the world. A few times I have felt, oh God, but he has taken care of me, and I haven’t encountered a ghost in person to date.”
About Maa
Presented by Jio Studios and Devgn Films, Maa is produced by Ajay Devgn and Jyoti Subbarayan and co-produced by Kumar Mangat Pathak. The film is set for a theatrical release on 27th June 2025.