'Maya' Film Review: A well-made horror film that’s a Nayanthara show all the way

Film: Maya

Director: Ashwin Saravanan 

Cast: Nayanthara, Aari

Rating: *** 1/2 (3.5 stars)

What's it about:

Director Ashwin Saravanan makes his debut with this horror flick that he has also written the screenplay for. Unlike the recent spate of horror comedies we have seen in Tamil films of late, 25-year-old Saravanan has confined this strictly to the horror genre which works tremendously in the film’s favour. The movie starts off with two friends playing cards and discussing a ghost story that appears in a weekly magazine. Arjun (Aari) is a cartoonist and he takes his friend through the story of a hospital for mental patients where there are a series of mysterious deaths around 24 years ago. There is one patient in particular – Maya - whose life is more mysterious than the others. Arjun is drawing the cartoons for this weekly series. Then we meet Apsara (Nayanthara), mother to one-year-old Meera, who has walked out on her marriage. To make ends meet she stays with her friend and acts in ads. How are the lives of Arjun and Apsara interlinked? Where does Maya figure in their lives? 

What’s Hot:

Despite being a debutant, Saravanan has made a slick film even in the technical aspects and he hasn’t wasted frames on unnecessary narration. His screenplay is good and he seems to understand the horror genre and what works for the audience. Maya is more atmospheric and it’s the performances by the lead actors that really lend to the film more than the actual ghost. In Maya, you find a de-glam Nayanthara who has essayed her role brilliantly. After seeing her in so many commercial flicks, it’s a refreshing change to see her in a character that’s close to life and with underplayed emotions. Arjun as Aari is a natural and is able to match Nayanthara’s performance in this film. The background score for Maya by Ron Yohan is one of the best in recent times in Tamil cinema. In horror flicks, the BGM is more important that certain other aspects and Yohan has done a perfect job in keeping audiences on the edge of their seats. The BGM at times really gives you the chills. And T S Suresh’s slick editing is a bonus.

What’s Not:

Some of the scenes in the 130-minute film could have been trimmed a little. 

What To Do:

This is one Tamil horror flick that you don’t want to miss!