VJ Madiha Imam will make Bollywood debut with Manisha Koirala

Madiha has been cast in Manisha's 'Dear Maya', a story of a woman who hasn't left her house in 20 years

Updated 03 May, 2017

VJ/actor Madiha Imam has caught a lucky break in Bollywood.

The Weekend With Madiha host has been cast in an upcoming film Dear Maya, in which she will star with Manisha Koirala.

"My character Anna is a 16 year old girl who lives in Shimla (India)," reveals Madiha in conversation with Images. "She's a sweet, innocent girl who has a best friend named Ira. Anna's story is about her curiosity about this woman who lives in her neighbourhood and hasn't left her house in 20 years."

The film is a Bake My Cake films production. It has been produced by Sandeep Leyzell and Shobhna Yadav and written and directed by Sunaina Bhatnagar. Music will be done by Piku and Pink composer Anupam Roy.

Madiha plays a 16-year-old who is intrigued by a woman (Manisha Koirala) who hadn't left her home for 20 years

"It's a film about friendship, about love, about family, about life... It's a film about everything," continues Madiha. "I don't know how to classify it in a genre but it's a basic film. I wouldn't call it a romance or comedy. I guess you can call it a drama film, but it has a little bit of everything in it."

Madiha found it hard to turn down the offer to play Anna in Dear Maya

The film is also Sunaina Bhatnagar's directorial debut and it is an interesting turn of events that led Madiha to team up with Bhatnagar for this film.

Madiha as Anna — we think she is convincing as a 16-year-old!

According to Madiha, "The director was looking for someone to do my part. She found me online hosting one of my music shows. After watching a few episodes she looked me up and found out I act as well and decided to approach me."

Manisha Koirala is said to be making a comeback with Dear Maya

It was sudden for the actor but she couldn't say no.

"She (director) told me about the story, the plot, and asked me if I'm interested. I asked for a little time to think about it but I realised the story was really good and I wanted to be a part of it."

Dear Maya also marks the debut of the film's director Sunaina Bhatnagar

"The experience of shooting the film has been incredible. It was a low budget film. I was working with Manisha Koirala and she is amazing at what she does. I had a lot of fun and it was overall amazing."

Although she is a prominent cast member, Madiha will not promote the film in India

"Right now I'm sitting here in Pakistan, promoting my film. They (producers) are promoting it over there. I will not be able to go of course. I am really happy about having done this movie and excited for it to come out."

Madiha will also soon be seen in an ARY Digital serial Zakhm, which also stars Faisal Qureshi, Sarwat Gilani and Shehzad Noor.

The Dear Maya trailer will come out on May 4. There is no confirmed date for the release of the film, but it is expected to come out in June.