Hindi

Dear Maya….Meandering malady!

Published

9 years ago

June 2, 2017

There is an interminable line-up of experimental films being made by aspiring new makers.

This happens because many people want to make a mark with their first film so that they can gate-crash the Who is Who of the film industry. That is not easy as innumerable small films are made, of which some find an outlet, some never do and, from among those which make it to the silver screen, just one turns out to be something good like Hindi Medium, last week’s release with Irrfan playing the lead.

If Hindi Medium worked, it was because it tackled a contemporary issue that wrecks the life of many a parent when it comes to the education of their child. And what makes it watchable is the way it has been scripted and executed in an entertaining way while also conveying the message. (This mention of another film while reviewing Dear Maya is inevitable because such a film also carries a message for other filmmakers; make a relevant film.)

Dear Maya is one such film which tries to be different but the idea is totally alien for the Hindi film viewer. It is loosely based on PS: I Love You and, probably, has some more sources of inspiration. It also attempts to bring to the fore a forgotten yesteryear actor, Manisha Koirala.

Manisha, playing Maya, is a victim of her uncle’s greedy tortures who wanted to take over her inheritance by hook or by crook. She lives in a palatial but dilapidated mansion in Shimla. She is a recluse at times seen peeping through her windows. For company, she has a maid and two ferocious dogs besides a sanctuary full of birds.

Two teenage school-going girls, played by Madeha Imam and Shreya Chaudhary, are always up to mischief, watch her in her window on their way back from school. Curious, Madeha learns of the past misfortunes of Manisha in which she is still wallowing.

Maheda and Shreya decide to play a prank on Manisha if only to bring her out of her sorrowful life. They send her a chain of love letters posing as one of her suitors who fell in love with her on first sight and was rejected by her evil uncle but who still loves and thinks of her.

Following this chain of love letters, Maya brings herself back to life. She opens up to the world. And, one fine day, she decides to sell all her possessions along with her palatial house to go search of the one who wrote those letters to her.

Madeha and Shreya realize that their prank has backfired and that shatters them besides destroying their friendship.

There was one woman wallowing in self-pity in Manisha, now we have three with Madeha and Shreya added to the list, all living the life of self-inflicted torture and, soon, it’s the viewer’s turn to join the club!

Manisha has willingly left Shimla for Delhi after announcing it to whole the town but, for convenience sake, the script dubs her as a missing person. And, Madeha and Shreya embark on her search. They carry the burden of some unnecessary side tracks which takes the film to an intolerable duration of 131 minutes.

The script and direction are weak. The one good thing about the film is its scenic location of Shimla though that also has limited exploitation. Manisha Koirala fails to get her manners right of a 20 year recluse closeted from the world, mentally destroyed. Shreya and Madeha are pleasing though the latter needs a few variations in her expressions.

Producers: Shobhna Yadav, Sandeep Leyzell.

Director: Sunaina Bhatnagar.

Cast: Manisha Koirala, Madeha Imam, Shreya Chaudhary, Irawati Hershe, Rohit Saraf, Reuben Israel, Rakyesh Omprakash Mehra.

Related Topics:Dear Maya Sandeep Leyzell Shobhna Yadav

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Hindi

Boney Kapoor acquires remake rights of Tamil political satire Thalaivar Thambi Thalaimaiyil

Strong word-of-mouth turns Pongal satire into remake pick

Published

4 days ago

February 9, 2026

indiantelevision.com Team

MUMBAI: A Pongal release, a village satire and a theatre visit in Coimbatore have turned into Boney Kapoor’s latest acquisition. The producer has secured the remake rights to the Tamil political satire Thalaivar Thambi Thalaimaiyil (TTT), a film that has been enjoying a strong theatrical run powered by word-of-mouth and praise for its sharp, rooted writing.

Set in a rural milieu, the story follows a panchayat leader thrown into disarray when a wedding and a funeral land on the same day. What unfolds is a swirl of satire and humour that skewers local politics, power games, bruised egos and family tensions, all anchored in the textures of everyday village life.

Kapoor first encountered the film earlier this year while in Coimbatore for the Celebrity Cricket League. With time to spare, he caught a screening at a local theatre. That viewing proved decisive. According to sources, the narrative style, performances and the film’s balance of political commentary and comedy caught his attention.

Interest quickly turned into intent. Kapoor reached out to the producers soon after to explore a remake. Talks gathered pace over the following weeks and came to a head last Friday at the film’s success party in Chennai, where Kapoor joined the celebrations and continued negotiations with the makers.

By the end of the evening, the deal was sealed, with Kapoor formally acquiring the remake rights.

For an industry constantly mining regional cinema for the next crossover story, the move is telling. A small-town satire with local flavour has found a national backer. And if Kapoor’s instincts hold, a tale born in one village may soon echo far beyond it.

Hindi

Fans take centre stage as Zee Cine awards turns the spotlight around

Published

6 days ago

February 7, 2026

indiantelevision.com Team

MUMBAI: When the applause gets louder than the dialogue, you know the fans have taken over. That was the unmistakable mood as Zee formally announced the Zee Cine Awards 2026, flipping the script to celebrate not just cinema’s stars, but the people who cheer them on the loudest.

The 24th edition of the awards marks a fresh chapter in Zee’s long-standing relationship with Hindi cinema, anchored in its fan-first philosophy, Fantertainment. This year’s theme, ‘Yeh Pal Hai Fans Ka’, reinforces a simple idea: cinema’s most powerful moments are shaped as much by audiences as by actors on screen. Presented by Maruti Suzuki, the awards aim to turn fandom into the main event.

The announcement, held in Mumbai, was anything but a routine press conference. Bollywood stars Akshay Kumar, Tamannaah Bhatia, Jacqueline Fernandez, Sonam Bajwa, Aparshakti Khurana, composer Mithoon and singer Palak Muchhal joined fans to kick off the celebrations, turning the launch into a high-voltage, participative spectacle.

Staying true to the theme, fans didn’t just watch the announcement, they drove it. Akshay Kumar took the lead, pulling fellow stars on stage and energising the room, before the unveiling of a live LED Fan Meter. Powered purely by audience cheers, the rising meter culminated in the reveal of the Zee Cine Awards 2026 ground event date, announced in unison with fans, blurring the line between performer and spectator.

The momentum continued as Tamannaah Bhatia, Jacqueline Fernandez, Sonam Bajwa and Aparshakti Khurana recreated iconic hook steps, joined by Mithoon and Palak Muchhal for music-led interactions. Games, spontaneous performances and playful banter kept the focus firmly on shared moments, underscoring the evolving bond between cinema and its audience.

Beyond the launch, the awards will roll out as a multi-platform journey across television, digital, print and fan-led experiences. The aim is sustained engagement from the first announcement to awards night cementing fandom as a cultural force rather than a footnote.

Commenting on the milestone edition Zee head of advertisement revenue, broadcast & digital Laxmi Shetty said the 24th Zee Cine Awards continue to draw strength from the network’s omni-channel ecosystem, reflecting how audiences consume content today across TV, digital and social platforms. She noted that long-standing brand associations, including Maruti Suzuki’s three-year partnership and support from brands such as Hell Energy, underline the platform’s scale, trust and cultural relevance.

As Zee Cine Awards 2026 gathers pace, one thing is clear: this year, the loudest cheers won’t just echo in the auditorium, they’ll shape the show itself.

Hindi

Prime Video to stream Don’t Be Shy, produced by Alia Bhatt

Published

2 weeks ago

January 30, 2026

indiantelevision.com Team

MUMBAI: Prime Video has found its next feel-good original, and it comes with a healthy dose of heart, humour and youthful chaos. The streaming platform has announced Don’t Be Shy, a coming-of-age romantic comedy produced by Alia Bhatt and Shaheen Bhatt under their banner, Eternal Sunshine Productions.

Written and directed by Sreeti Mukerji, the film follows Shyamili ‘Shy’ Das, a 20-year-old who believes her life is neatly mapped out until it suddenly is not. What follows is a relatable tumble through friendship, love and the awkward art of growing up, when plans unravel and certainty gives way to self-discovery.

The project is co-produced by Grishma Shah and Vikesh Bhutani, with music composed by Ram Sampath, adding to the film’s promise of warmth and energy. Prime Video describes the story as light-hearted yet emotionally grounded, with a strong female-led narrative at its core.

Prime Video India director and head of originals Nikhil Madhok, said the platform was delighted to collaborate with Eternal Sunshine on a story that blends sincerity with humour. He noted that the film’s fresh writing, earnest characters and infectious music make it an easy, engaging watch for audiences well beyond its young adult setting.

For Alia Bhatt, Don’t Be Shy reflects the kind of storytelling Eternal Sunshine set out to champion. She said the film stood out for its honesty, its coming-of-age perspective and Mukerji’s passion, which she felt was deeply woven into the narrative. Bhatt also praised Prime Video for supporting distinctive voices and bold creative choices.

With its breezy tone and familiar emotional beats, Don’t Be Shy aims to charm viewers whether they are rom-com regulars or simply in the mood for a warm, unpretentious story about life refusing to stick to the plan.