Watch Dear Maya

Dear Maya is a 2017 Indian coming-of-age drama film, directed by Sunaina Bhatnagar and produced by Shobhna Yadav, Sandeep Leyzell, Ajay Rai, and Kevin Nityanand. The film stars veteran actress Manisha Koirala in the titular role of Maya Devi, with newcomers Madiha Imam and Shreya Chaudhary in supporting roles. The story is set in Shimla, where Maya Devi is a reclusive woman in her 50s. She lives alone in a big house, surrounded by a lush garden, with no interaction with the outside world. This isolation is due to an incident that happened 20 years ago, where Maya was heartbroken by her lover and left her small town to never come back. Since then, she hasn't had any contact with her family or friends, and her only connection to the world is through letters.

Two teenage girls, Anna and Ira, who are curious about Maya, start sending her letters as a prank. The elaborate scheme includes poetic letters about a fictitious adventurous life, which they hope will lure Maya out of her shell. The letters are signed by a fake suitor, but they start to have devastating effects when Maya starts to believe them to be true.

The film is a character-driven story that focuses on the emotional journey of Maya and the two teenage girls. The acting by the entire cast is top-notch, with Manisha Koirala delivering an impressive performance as Maya. Her portrayal of a woman with a broken spirit and her transformation after reading the letters is heartbreaking yet uplifting. Madiha Imam and Shreya Chaudhary also do a commendable job as Anna and Ira, respectively.

The cinematography in the film is superb, capturing the beauty of Shimla and the lush greenery around Maya's house. The music by Anupam Roy and Sandman is soulful and complements the narrative perfectly.

Dear Maya is a soul-stirring tale of love, betrayal, and redemption that will tug at your heartstrings. The film explores the theme of loneliness and how a small act of kindness can change someone's life. The pacing of the story is slow, but it's intentional to create a sense of isolation and to emphasize the emotional journey of the characters. The film doesn't rely on cheap thrills or melodrama and instead focuses on the characters' emotional arcs.

In conclusion, Dear Maya is a must-watch for anyone who loves character-driven stories and emotional dramas. The film is a remarkable directorial debut for Sunaina Bhatnagar and showcases the talent of Manisha Koirala, Madiha Imam, and Shreya Chaudhary. The film will leave you with a profound sense of connection with the characters and a renewed perspective on the power of love and kindness.

Dear Maya is a 2017 drama with a runtime of 130 hours. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.2.