Liberation War film Maya releasing on Friday

National Award winning director Masud Pathik’s latest feature film Maya- The Lost Mother will be released in about a dozen local theatres on Friday, December 27. This film is based on Shahabuddin’s painting Woman, and Kamal Chowdhury’s poem Juddhoshishu (War baby). The film is a national film grant recipient.

The teaser of the film was released early in November. It featured the film’s lead cast, Jyotika Jyoti, in a setting that reconstructed artist Shahbuddin’s painting. Hands tied, bare top and raped in the next scene, yet Jyoti’s posture resembled a poised hero, rather than a defeated prey. 

Jyoti told the Dhaka Tribune Showtime about the story and her character in the film.

“The story is of a Birangana, her life, her family and her past,” she said. “Her eldest daughter is a war baby, who was lost long ago. I play her younger daughter, Maya.”

As the film progresses, Maya gets a divorce, since her in-laws cannot accept that her mother was a Birangana. She and her two children then start living with her mother. Another war baby lives with them, who Maya has a secret affair with. The chairman and imam of the village desire Maya. In a cruel act of fate, she succumbs to the malevolent pursuits of her foes. 

“The character represents Bangladesh,” Jyoti said. “It was challenging to play Maya in this experimental film. This role will remain a cherished feather in my cap.”

Jyoti recently starred in Srikanto O Rajlokkhi that played in theatres in Kolkata. The film screened at Bengaluru Film Festival this week to mixed reviews from the audience.