Maya Choudhury

Maya Choudhury is an Indian actress who appears in Manipuri films. 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. Some of her notable films are '' Basantagee Nongallamdai'' trilogy, ''Oneness,'' ''Meichak'', ''Kunti'', ''Mr. Lakhipyari, Liklaai, Tomthin Shija'', ''Imoinu'' and '' Saklon Amada''.

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'', 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.''

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. The film made its world premiere at South Asia's biggest queer film festival, KASHISH Pride Film Festival 2024, Mumbai and later got official selections and screened at the 14th Bangalore Queer Film Festival 2024, the 2nd Eikhoigi Imphal International Film Festival 2025, and the 2nd Northeast India Film Festival Manipur 2025. The film also got recommendations from Elle Magazine and Mid-Day.

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." ''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." ''E-Pao'' praised her performance, writing, "Maya's portrayal is both subtle and impactful, capturing the essence of a mother's love and resilience." ''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. ''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.

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.

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

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.

Selected filmography

References

External links

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Choudhury, Maya
Living people
Meitei people
People from Imphal
Indian film actresses
Actresses from Manipur
Actresses in Meitei cinema
21st-century Indian actresses
Year of birth missing (living people)