Maya Choudhury
Maya Choudhury | |
|---|---|
| File:Maya Choudhury.jpg Maya Choudhury in 2020 | |
| Born | |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1997-present |
| Spouse | Laishram Manikanta |
| Parent(s) | Ch. Somorjit Sharma Ch. Ongbi Sanahanbi Devi |
Maya Choudhury is an Indian actress who appears in Manipuri films.[1][2][3] 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.[4]
Some of her notable films are Basantagee Nongallamdai trilogy, Oneness, Meichak, Kunti, Mr. Lakhipyari, Liklaai, Tomthin Shija, Imoinu and Saklon Amada.[5][6]
Career
[edit | edit source]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. [3]
She made her comeback to acting after marriage with films like Basantagee Nongallamdai and 21st Century's Kunti, for which she credited her husband and family for their support. [3]
Maya's comeback in the industry is marked by Leikhamton and supporting roles in films like Imoinu, Tomthin Shija, Hiyai,[7] and Pandam Amada, while the latter was selected for the 18th Dhaka International Film Festival 2019, the 18th Third Eye Asian Film Festival 2019, Mumbai and the Tokyo Lift-Off Film Festival 2020.[8]
Notable Critical Response
[edit | edit source]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. [6][9][10] The film made its world premiere at South Asia's biggest queer film festival, KASHISH Pride Film Festival 2024, Mumbai[11] and later got official selections and screened at the 14th Bangalore Queer Film Festival 2024,[10] the 2nd Eikhoigi Imphal International Film Festival 2025,[12] and the 2nd North East India Film Festival, Manipur.[13] The film also got recommendations from Elle Magazine and Mid-Day.[14][15]
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."[16] 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."[17] E-Pao praised her performance, writing, "Maya's portrayal is both subtle and impactful, capturing the essence of a mother's love and resilience."[18] 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.[19] 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.[20]
She received her first pan-Northeast India nomination for Best Actress - Northeast at the Prag Cine Awards 2025 for her performance in the film.[2] 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.[21]
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.[4]
Accolades
[edit | edit source]| Award | Category | Film | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17th Manipur State Film Awards 2025 | Best Supporting Actor (Female) | Oneness | Won | [4] |
| Prag Cine Awards 2025 | Best Actress - Northeast | Oneness | Nominated | [2][22] |
| 1st SSS MANIFA 2012 | Best Actress | Saklon Amada | Nominated | [23] |
Controversy
[edit | edit source]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.[24][18][19]
Selected filmography
[edit | edit source]| Year | Film | Role | Director |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Meichak | Lata | L. Banka Sharma |
| 1999 | Aroiba Bidaai | Thadoi | Oken Amakcham |
| 2004 | Thajabagee Wangmada | Sarju | Oken Amakcham |
| Panthungeedara Nungshiba | Asha | Diya Khwairakpam | |
| 2005 | Nangtana Helli | Monika | Oken Amakcham |
| Mr. Lakhipyari | Radha | Homen D' Wai | |
| 2006 | Eigi Salini Ma'am | Salini Thapa | Vir Bhadra Yumnam |
| Basantagee Nongallamdai | Sarla | Tej Kshetri | |
| 2007 | Ujaningba Shaktam | Sarla | Tej Kshetri |
| 2008 | Chatlabra Waarouna? | Thaja | Khwairakpam Bishwamittra |
| Liklaai | Liklaai | Pilu H. | |
| Ningthem | Panthoi | Khwairakpam Bishwamittra | |
| Lanmei Thanbi | Dr. Memi | Chou En Lai & O. Mangi | |
| 2009 | Lonthoktabagee Wari | Leihao | Diya Khwairakpam |
| Leikang Thambal | Thambal | Tej Kshetri | |
| Utaangbi | Radha | Romi Meitei | |
| 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 | |
| Torban Amagi Wari | Phajabi | Niladhwaja Khuman | |
| 2011 | Mellei Leishna Thariktha | Leishna | Amar Raj |
| Momon Meenok | Thariktha | Ksh. Kishorekumar | |
| Fried Fish, Chicken Soup and a Premiere Show | Herself | Mamta Murthy | |
| 2014 | Leikhamton | Leikham | Tej Kshetri |
| 2015 | Imoinu | Leimarembi | Bijgputa Laishram |
| Shajik Thaba | Sanarembi's mother | Ojitbabu Ningthoujam | |
| 2017 | Tomthin Shija | Dr. Ayingbi Shija | Bobby Haobam |
| 2018 | Hiyai | Leima | Herojit Naoroibam |
| 2019 | Pandam Amada | Yaiphabi | O. Gautam |
| 2020 | Aronba Wari | Yaiphabi's mother | OC Meira |
| 2022 | Imoinu 2 | Leimarembi | Bijgupta Laishram |
| Laija Lembi | Tampha | Sudhir Kangjam | |
| 2024 | Oneness | Anna Martin | Priyakanta Laishram |
| Khomlang Laman | Chinglen's mother | OC Meira | |
| Upcoming | Laija Lembi 2 | Tampha | Sudhir Kangjam |
References
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External links
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