Winter is coming—with a new mystery. English-Nepali psychological thriller ‘Maya Ko Maya’, headlined by Vinay Pathak (‘Bheja Fry’, ‘Khosla Ka Ghosla’), Nepal’s Anna Sharma (‘Aktor’, ‘The Man from Kathmandu’), Saloni Batra (‘Animal’, ‘Soni’), and Satyajeet Dubey (‘Mumbai Diaries 26/11’, ‘Prassthanam’), has wrapped its principal photography, makers announced on Friday.

Rohit Karan Baidya directed the film, which is set in modern Nepal and based on real events. ‘Maya Ko Maya’ is slated for a worldwide release in winter 2025.

The thriller is produced by Jyadro Movies, a Driver Inc company with India’s independent film studio, Platoon One Films, known for indie gems like ‘Sir’ (Cannes) and ‘Ghaath’ (Berlinale), on board as a key creative consultant.

Billed as a gripping tale of self-discovery and love, the film follows the journey of its protagonist, Maya. She struggles against the weight of societal expectations and turns to a form of therapy, setting off an emotional storm that threatens to reshape everything she knows. ‘Maya Ko Maya’ explores identity, tradition, and the fight for authenticity in a world caught between past and present.

Pathak described filming in Nepal as a “deeply transformative experience,” and said the country is a living, breathing character in the film.

Sharma called the film a “powerful psychological thriller,” which, though rooted in Nepal, anchors itself in universal emotions. “It was a truly enriching experience to bring this complex character to life, and working alongside the legendary Vinay Pathak made the journey all the more unforgettable,” Sharma added.

“This film has been a labour of love,” said director Baidya, known for ‘Life on the Road Nepal’ (screened at Singapore Independent Film Festival and IndieFilm Fest, California) and the Royal Television Society-nominated pilot Wild Cooks.

Dubey said he was drawn to the film because of how “uncomfortably human” his character was.

Platoon Collective, the talent management division of Platoon One Films, led the film’s casting in collaboration with Driver Inc. Platoon One Films will also facilitate the film's distribution and international sales and is currently representing it at Marché du Film, Cannes Film Market.