Acclaimed director Ketan Mehta's desi adaptation of Madame Bovary completed twenty seven years this month. It was on a rainy day of 1993, July 14th to be precise, when I had ventured to a nearby theatre to catch this movie.
Mehta's wife Deepa Sahi played the titular role of Maya, a small town lady, who seeks true love and ends up having extra marital affairs only to get heartbroken in the end.
A young Shah Rukh Khan (SRK) played one of Maya's lovers and the film became quite controversial for his sex scene with Deepa Sahi. Expectedly, the Indian censors imposed several cuts which delayed the film. Moreover, the final theatrical version didnt have this much discussed scene which disappointed the audience.
Maya Memsaab had an awesome score by Hridaynath Mangeshkar with "Ek Haseen Nigah ka" and "O Dil Banjaare" topping the music charts that time. Technically, it is one of best films of those times shot in natural light in scenic locales of Simla.
Ketan Mehta's direction was competent like his earlier works (Mirch Masala and Sardar to name a few). Deepa Sahi looked beautiful as Maya and won the National award for her brilliant performance. SRK left mighty impression even in a small role. This was one of his earlier films and he was still two years away from turning superstar with 'Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge' (1995).
Overall, Maya Memsaab was a good retelling of the classic novel Madame Bovary with some brilliant performances and outstanding music. Unfortunately, the film got bogged by the nude scene controversy and audience didn't see it the way it was intended to. Underrated classic I would say...
