Exploring how the innocence of children is inevitably and tragically corrupted by the actions of adults, MAYA is the debut feature from Indian director Digvijay Singh. Singh's tranquil, measured pace is more Satyajit Ray than Bollywood, fitting given the serious nature of the subject matter. The film begins with the playful antics of 12 year old Maya and her cousin Sanjay, who live a carefree life in rural India. Singh subtly builds to the moment when Maya is forced into "womanhood" by a grotesque and horrific religious ritual, which destroys her simple lifestyle forever. The second place finisher for the People's Choice Award at the 2001 Toronto Film Festival, MAYA is an indictment of a hypocritical and misogynist social practice that destroys rather than celebrates the process of maturation.
