Maya is the titular character of a young woman who takes a firm decision not to leave her mother alone once married to her fiancé. Her mother is an elderly woman whose health has been gradually deteriorating resulting in her becoming much less independent and thus unable to live by herself. The story is one many people would easily relate to, particularly individuals who have to face the sad reality of having to start assuming the role of a parent to their own parents, who, as years pass by, become more vulnerable, akin to children themselves.
The divine duty of honouring your parents and taking care of them as they enter old age is not equally as sacred in all cultures, but in Indian culture, it goes without saying. This short brilliantly captures the mother-daughter relationship, which, over just a quarter of an hour is given enough scope and depth to come across amazingly real, credible, and affecting. It is never one-dimensional; it is complex and authentic and moving in ways only those who have experiences or dealt with such circumstances in their lives could fully grasp or understand.
In spite of the cultural specificity determined by its Indian setting, the message transcends cultural boundaries as it's clearly universal and globally relevant. The main protagonist isn't one from a rustic background, she is a new-age woman who knows her mind, she is strong and independent, but none of it reduces her commitment towards her mother, and her admirable values. That her mother is a stubborn woman who doesn't want to be a hindrance to her daughter's upcoming message intensifies the conflict of the story and gives it the required dramatic tension.
Kirti Kulhari is outstanding as Maya, in a compassionate, beautiful performance of a woman who sets a great example to many people of what an exemplary child should be like. Maya isn't perfect in her daily interactions with her mother; she can be angry and scolding at times, but her unwavering dedication remains evident. Alka Amin is equally excellent as the troubled mother, who really begins to resemble a rebellious child who means well but is also fears of being scolded and reproached. These two make Maya a phenomenal short that comes highly recommended.
