Maya Choudhury
{{short description|Indian actress}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2024}}
{{Use Indian English|date=April 2023}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Maya Choudhury
| image = Maya Choudhury.jpg
| caption = Maya Choudhury in 2020
| birth_date =
| birth_place = Imphal, Manipur
Present address:
Palace Compound, Imphal, Manipur
| occupation = Actress
| years_active = 1997-present
| spouse = Laishram Manikanta
| parents = Ch. Somorjit Sharma
Ch. Ongbi Sanahanbi Devi
| nationality = Indian
| website =
}}
Maya Choudhury is an Indian actress who appears in Manipuri films.{{Cite news |date=23 April 2023 |title=Making Of ‘ONENESS’: Manipur’s First-Ever Flick On Same-Sex Relationship |work=The Frontier Manipur |url=https://thefrontiermanipur.com/making-of-oneness-manipurs-first-ever-flick-on-same-sex-relationship/ |access-date=10 May 2023}} For her performance as Anna Martin in the 2024 film Oneness, she received the Best Supporting Actor (Female) award at the 17th Manipur State Film Awards in 2025, marking the first award of her career.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2025-06-27 |title=Manipur’s Queer Film ONENESS Wins 2 State Govt. Film Awards - Northeast Today |url=https://northeasttoday.in/northeast/manipurs-queer-film-oneness-wins-2-state-govt-film-awards/ |access-date=2025-06-27 |website=Northeast Today |language=en-US}} Some of her notable films are Basantagee Nongallamdai trilogy, Oneness, Meichak, Kunti, Mr. Lakhipyari, Liklaai, Tomthin Shija, Imoinu and Saklon Amada.{{Cite news |date=29 April 2018 |title=Maya Choudhury |work=The Personage |url=https://nikitalsharma.wordpress.com/2018/04/29/maya-choudhury/ |access-date=17 August 2023}}{{Cite news |date=19 August 2023 |title="For The First Time, This Film Stirs Up The Deepest Feelings In My Heart" - Maya Choudhury About Working In 'Oneness' |url=https://dailyasianage.com/news/311008/for-the-first-time-this-film-stirs-up-the-deepest-feelings-in-my-heart---maya-choudhury-about-working-in-oneness |access-date=13 March 2025 |work=The Asian Age}}{{Cite news |date=15 February 2025 |title=Manipuri Film ‘Oneness’ Earns Four Nominations at Prag Cine Awards Northeast 2025 |url=https://www.imphaltimes.com/news/manipuri-film-oneness-earns-four-nominations-at-prag-cine-awards-northeast-2025/ |access-date=13 March 2025 |work=Imphal Times}}{{Cite news |date=10 December 2021 |title=Priyakanta Laishram "ONENESS" is all set to reveal the invisible crime of Gay Honor Killing (Manipur’s first Gay themed movie) |work=India Today NE |url=https://www.indiatodayne.in/breaking-news/story/priyakanta-laishram-oneness-all-set-reveal-invisible-crime-gay-honor-killing-manipurs-first-gay-themed-movie-411189-2021-12-10 |access-date=10 May 2023}}
Career
In 1998, Maya Choudhury made her acting debut in the celluloid film Meichak, directed by Laimayum Banka Sharma. Later that year, she participated in Miss Manipur 1998, where she was placed 2nd runner-up, winning 5 other subtitles. It was then followed by two other celluloid films before she got married.
She made her comeback to acting after marriage with films like Basantagee Nongallamdai and Kunti, for which she credited her husband and family for their support.
Maya's comeback in the industry is marked by Leikhamton and supporting roles in films like Imoinu, Tomthin Shija, Hiyai,{{cite web |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/manipuri-film-hiyai-screened-at-dus-north-campus/articleshow/66028925.cms |title=Manipuri film Hiyai screened at DU's north campus |newspaper=The Times of India}} and Pandam Amada, while the latter was selected for the 18th International Dhaka Film Festival 2019, the 18th Third Eye Asian Film Festival 2019, Mumbai, and the Tokyo Lift-Off Film Festival 2020.{{Cite web |url=https://thenewsmill.com/manipuri-film-pandan-selected-for-asian-festival/ |title=Manipuri film Pandam Amada selected for Asian Festival |website=The News Mill |date=12 December 2019 |access-date=15 April 2020}}
= Notable Critical Response (2024) =
In 2024, Maya Choudhury appeared as a protagonist playing the role of Anna Martin in the film Oneness, directed by Priyakanta Laishram, which is the first Manipuri film to explore same-sex relationships. {{Cite news |last=Roy |first=Esha |date=25 April 2022 |title=A Manipur film tackles sexual identity for first time |work=The Indian Express |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/a-manipur-film-tackles-sexual-identity-for-first-time-7885549/ |access-date=1 April 2023}}{{Cite news |date=17 August 2024 |title=Oneness to premiere at Bangalore Queer Film Fest |url=https://www.thesangaiexpress.com/Encyc/2024/8/17/IMPHAL-Aug-17-Manipuri-Film-Oneness-has-been-selected-as-the-sole-entry-from-North-East-India-for-the-pre.html |access-date=13 March 2025 |work=The Sangai Express}} The film made its world premiere at South Asia's biggest queer film festival, KASHISH Pride Film Festival 2024, Mumbai{{Cite news |date=21 May 2024 |title=Priyakanta's 'Oneness' steals spotlight at Pride Film Fest |url=https://www.thesangaiexpress.com/Encyc/2024/5/21/By-Our-Staff-ReporterIMPHAL-May-20-Manipuri-filmmaker-and-actor-Priyakanta-Laishram-has-taken-the-Kashish.html |access-date=13 March 2025 |work=The Sangai Express}} and later got official selections and screened at the 14th Bangalore Queer Film Festival 2024, the 2nd Eikhoigi Imphal International Film Festival 2025,{{Cite news |date=31 January 2025 |title=State gears up for 2nd EIIFF |url=https://www.thesangaiexpress.com/Encyc/2025/1/31/IMPHAL-Jan-30-Manipur-is-gearing-up-to-host-the-second-edition-of-the-Eikhoigi-Imphal-International-Film-Fe.html |access-date=13 March 2025 |work=The Sangai Express}} and the 2nd Northeast India Film Festival Manipur 2025.{{Cite news |date=1 February 2025 |title=Three Assamese Films Selected For Screening At 2nd North East India Film Festival In Manipur |url=https://www.sentinelassam.com/north-east-india-news/assam-news/three-assamese-films-selected-for-screening-at-2nd-north-east-india-film-festival-in-manipur |access-date=13 March 2025 |work=The Sentinel}} The film also got recommendations from Elle Magazine and Mid-Day.{{Cite news |date=15 May 2024 |title=From Kaathal to La Vénus d’Argent, Here Are 8 Films To Watch Out For At The Kashish Pride Film Festival This Year |url=https://elle.in/8-films-kashish-pride-film-festival/ |access-date=13 March 2025 |work=ELLE}}{{Cite news |date=13 May 2024 |title=10 feature films to watch out for at KASHISH Pride Film Festival 2024 |url=https://www.mid-day.com/lifestyle/culture/photo/in-photos-10-feature-films-to-watch-out-for-at-kashish-pride-film-festival-2024-in-mumbai-lgbtqia-queer-festival-100613/1 |access-date=13 March 2025}}
Upon release, Maya got critical acclaim for her performance as Anna Martin. The Sangai Express praised her performance, writing that she "delivers one of her most powerful performances in ONENESS."{{Cite news |date=9 August 2024 |title=ONENESS: A landmark in Manipuri cinema breaks barriers |url=https://www.thesangaiexpress.com/Encyc/2024/8/9/Reviewed-by-Laishram-Malemnganba-Meitei-Mocha-Laishram-Khuman-ABOUT-THE-FILM-ONENESS-directed-by-Pr.html |access-date=13 March 2025 |work=The Sangai Express}} Manipur Wiki penned, "Maya Choudhury shines as another stand out star of the film, delivering outstanding performances throughout." and stating that, "This performance is arguably the best of her career."{{Cite news |date=17 December 2024 |title=“Oneness” : A Film Review |url=https://manipurwiki.org/oneness-a-film-review/ |access-date=13 March 2025 |work=Manipur Wiki}} E-Pao praised her performance, writing, "Maya's portrayal is both subtle and impactful, capturing the essence of a mother's love and resilience."{{Cite news |date=20 December 2024 |title=Oneness - A Brave, Pioneering Triumph in Manipuri Cinema |url=https://e-pao.net/epSubPageExtractor.asp?src=reviews.movies.Oneness_A_Brave_Pioneering_Triumph_in_Manipuri_Cinema_By_David_Whiso |access-date=13 March 2025 |work=E-Pao}} Imphal Review of Arts and Politics described it as “perhaps the finest performance of her illustrious career”, praising her emotionally nuanced portrayal of a conflicted mother, considering her role as one of the strongest elements of the film, contributing significantly to its impact. {{Cite news |date=10 May 2025 |title=“Oneness”: A Defiant Cinematic Stand Against Deep-Rooted Socio-Cultural Intolerance |url=https://imphalreviews.in/oneness-a-defiant-cinematic-stand-against-deep-rooted-socio-cultural-intolerance/ |access-date=14 June 2025 |work=Imphal Review of Arts and Politics}}Signpost News highlighted Maya Choudhury’s role as a key emotional anchor in Oneness, noting her “transformative arc” as one of the film’s most impactful elements.{{Cite news |last=Angom |first=Rinku |date=26 June 2025 |title=Oneness: The Film That Dared to Say What Manipur Silenced |url=https://signpostnews.com/oneness-the-film-that-dared-to-say-what-manipur-silenced/ |access-date=27 June 2025 |work=Signpost News}}
In an interview with The Asian Age, Maya commented, "I've been doing films for more than two decades. But for the first time, this film (Oneness), which is also based on a true story, stirs up the deepest feelings in my heart."
She received her first pan-Northeast India nomination for Best Actress - Northeast at the Prag Cine Awards 2025 for her performance in the film.
Her performance as Anna Martin in Oneness was recognized by Screen Echoes Manipur as one of the Best 8 Performances in Manipuri Cinema in the Last Decade.{{Cite news |last=Manipur |first=Screen Echoes |date=21 June 2025 |title=Best 8 Performances In Manipuri Cinema In The Last Decade |url=https://e-pao.net/epSubPageExtractor.asp?src=reviews.movies.Best_8_Performances_in_Manipuri_Cinema_in_the_last_Decade |access-date=23 June 2025 |work=E-Pao}}
At the 17th Manipur State Film Awards in 2025, she received the Best Supporting Actor (Female) award for Oneness. Presented by the Government of Manipur and the Manipur State Film Development Society, the award marked the first recognition in her 28-year-long acting career.
Accolades
| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ !Award !Category !Film !Result !Ref. |
| 17th Manipur State Film Awards 2025
| Best Supporting Actor (Female) | Oneness |{{won}} |
| Prag Cine Awards 2025
| Best Actress - Northeast | Oneness | {{nominated}} | {{Cite news |date=10 March 2025 |title=Priyakanta Laishram wins Best Director Northeast at Prag Cine Awards 2025 for ONENESS |url=https://www.imphaltimes.com/news/priyakanta-laishram-wins-best-director-northeast-at-prag-cine-awards-2025-for-oneness/ |access-date=13 March 2025 |work=Imphal Times}} |
| 1st SSS MANIFA 2012
| Best Actress | {{nominated}} |
Controversy
In 2024, Maya Choudhury became the subject of online criticism and trolling following a promotional interview for the film Oneness. During the interview, she remarked she does not watch films in which she does not star, a statement that was misinterpreted and contributed to heightened backlash against the film. The controversy occurred amidst broader resistance to the film’s subject matter in Manipur.{{Cite news |last=Hijam |first=Araba |date=13 March 2025 |title=Why Priyakanta Laishram’s Best Director Win Feels Like Our Own Victory |url=https://www.thesangaiexpress.com/Encyc/2025/3/13/Araba-Hijam-Some-victories-extend-beyond-personal-achievement-they-symbolize-defiance-resilience-and-the-c.html |access-date=14 June 2025 |work=The Sangai Express}}
Selected filmography
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Year
! Film ! Role ! Director |
|---|
| 1998
|Meichak |Lata |L. Banka Sharma |
| 1999
|Aroiba Bidaai |Thadoi |
| 2003
|Thajabagee Wangmada |Sarju |
| 2004
|Panthungeedara Nungshiba |Asha |Diya Khwairakpam |
| rowspan="2"|2005
|Nangtana Helli |Monika |
| Mr. Lakhipyari
|Radha |
| rowspan="2"|2006
|Eigi Salini Ma'am | Salini Thapa |Vir Bhadra Yumnam |
| Basantagee Nongallamdai
|Sarla |Tej Kshetri |
| 2008
|Liklaai |Liklaai |Pilu H. |
| rowspan="2"|2009
|Lonthoktabagee Wari |Leihao |Diya Khwairakpam |
| Utaangbi
|Radha |
| rowspan="10"|2010
|Imphal Ningol |Leibaklei |Bijgupta Laishram |
| Piranglakta Manglan Ama
|Dr. Chongnu |Khangembam Kuleswar |
| Lambidudei
|Dr. Linthoi |K. Bimal Sharma |
| Kanadano
|Lingjel's sister |I.S. Gurung |
| Saklon Amada
|Memthoi |L. Surjakanta |
| Meiree Natte Liklani
|Lanjenbi |Amar Raj |
| Ahing Mamei
|Leima |Bimol Phibou |
| Oooh...! The Great - Thawangee Purnima
|Purnima |L. Prakash |
| 21st Century's Kunti
|Rajlakshmi |Joy Soram |
| Nungshibee Takhellei
|Linthoi |Amar Raj |
| rowspan="3"|2011
|Mellei Leishna Thariktha |Leishna |Amar Raj |
| Momon Meenok
|Thariktha |Ksh. Kishorekumar |
| Fried Fish, Chicken Soup and a Premiere Show
|Herself |Mamta Murthy |
| 2014
|Leikham |Tej Kshetri |
| rowspan="2"|2015
|Leimarembi |Bijgputa Laishram |
| Shajik Thaba
|Sanarembi's mother |Ojitbabu Ningthoujam |
| 2017
|Dr. Ayingbi Shija |Bobby Haobam |
| 2018
|Hiyai |Leima |Herojit Naoroibam |
| 2019
|Yaiphabi |
| 2020
|Yaiphabi's mother |OC Meira |
| rowspan="2" |2022
|Imoinu 2 |Leimarembi |Bijgupta Laishram |
| Laija Lembi
|Tampha |Sudhir Kangjam |
| rowspan="2"|2024
|Anna Martin |
| Khomlang Laman
|Chinglen's mother |OC Meira |
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01ekmzmrksg |title=MAYA CHOUDHURY On Manung Hutna 14 July 2018 |via=YouTube}}
- {{cite web |url=https://youtube.com/watch?v=9bDXpvcju-Q |title=Coffee with TOM - Maya Choudhury: Episode 150 (Anchor: Jolly) |via=YouTube}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Choudhury, Maya}}
Category:Indian film actresses
Category:Actresses from Manipur
Category:Actresses in Meitei cinema