Dev Anand, Mala Sinha, and Lalita Pawar performed their respective roles very well. Although I had seen Dev Anand in more popular movies, his performance in Maya was much better. Although I had seen Lalita Pawar in many other movies, those roles were stereotypical - her role in Maya was more significant and brought out more of her skills. I had not seen a Mala Sinha movie in decades. Her performance in Maya (and the sense of responsibility as the only surviving elder in the family) seemed very natural.
Maya had a good social theme. The behavior of the gang-leader and the behavior of the landlord were well portrayed, reflecting real life well. So was the posture of Dev Anand's super-rich father.
Trivial complaints:
Even after he started living among the poor, Dev Anand was smoking. On the one hand, he is portrayed to have the courage and will to experience life in poverty. On the other hand, he is smoking away money that he could have used for the poor.
The intended comic reliefs were not effective - typical of Bollywood movies of that era.
Although the romantic songs were good, their fit in the story seemed forced.
Good episodes:
The household staff partying in the absence of the owners was hilarious.
The fake behaviors of the rich at Dev Anand's birthday party reflected real life well. His disillusionment with that lifestyle also felt genuine and credible - leading him to taste life in poverty.
The vignettes of the various families in the Chaal and the behavior of the landlord mirrored real-life well.
