# Maya Choudhury

Maya Choudhury is an Indian actress who appears in Manipuri films. She received her career's first Best Actress nomination at the Prag Cine Awards 2025 for her role in the 2024 film Oneness, which is the first Manipuri film to explore same-sex relationships.
Some of her notable films are Basantagee Nongallamdai trilogy, Lambidudei, 21st Century's Kunti, Tomthin Shija, Imoinu, Pandam Amada and Oneness.

## 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.
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." Daniel Yumkham 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."
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."
At the Prag Cine Awards 2025, she earned her first Best Actress nomination in her 25-year acting career for her role as Anna Martin in Oneness.

## Accolades

| Award | Category | Film | Result | References |
| Prag Cine Awards 2025 | Best Actress - Northeast | Oneness | Nominated | [2] [18] |

## Selected filmography

| Year | Film | Role | Director |
| 1998 | Meichak | Lata | L. Banka Sharma |
| 1999 | Aroiba Bidaai | Thadoi | Oken Amakcham |
| 2003 | Thajabagee Wangmada | Sarju | Oken Amakcham |
| 2004 | Panthungeedara Nungshiba | Asha | Diya Khwairakpam |
| 2005 | Nangtana Helli | Monika | Oken Amakcham |
| 2005 | Mr. Lakhipyari | Radha | Homen D' Wai |
| 2006 | Eigi Salini Ma'am | Salini Thapa | Vir Bhadra Yumnam |
| 2006 | Basantagee Nongallamdai | Sarla | Tej Kshetri |
| 2008 | Liklaai | Liklaai | Pilu H. |
| 2009 | Lonthoktabagee Wari | Leihao | Diya Khwairakpam |
| 2009 | Utaangbi | Radha | Romi Meitei |
| 2010 | Imphal Ningol | Leibaklei | Bijgupta Laishram |
| 2010 | Piranglakta Manglan Ama | Dr. Chongnu | Khangembam Kuleswar |
| 2010 | Lambidudei | Dr. Linthoi | K. Bimal Sharma |
| 2010 | Kanadano | Lingjel's sister | I.S. Gurung |
| 2010 | Saklon Amada | Memthoi | L. Surjakanta |
| 2010 | Meiree Natte Liklani | Lanjenbi | Amar Raj |
| 2010 | Ahing Mamei | Leima | Bimol Phibou |
| 2010 | Oooh...! The Great - Thawangee Purnima | Purnima | L. Prakash |
| 2010 | 21st Century's Kunti | Rajlakshmi | Joy Soram |
| 2010 | Nungshibee Takhellei | Linthoi | Amar Raj |
| 2011 | Mellei Leishna Thariktha | Leishna | Amar Raj |
| 2011 | Momon Meenok | Thariktha | Ksh. Kishorekumar |
| 2011 | Fried Fish, Chicken Soup and a Premiere Show | Herself | Mamta Murthy |
| 2014 | Leikhamton | Leikham | Tej Kshetri |
| 2015 | Imoinu | Leimarembi | Bijgputa Laishram |
| 2015 | 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 |
| 2022 | Laija Lembi | Tampha | Sudhir Kangjam |
| 2024 | Oneness | Anna Martin | Priyakanta Laishram |
| 2024 | Khomlang Laman | Tampha's mother-in-law | OC Meira |