THE INSPIRATION
Maya Arputham was born in Malaysia in 1974, at a time when living openly as a transgender woman wasn’t just socially condemned, it was illegal. Maya focussed on her studies, hoping that by achieving career success it would give her the freedom to live as her authentic self. Maya moved to the UK to rebuild her life in a country that allowed her to thrive, to serve justice, and to live in truth.
Maya has built an extraordinary career within the British justice system, delivering justice for others while navigating her own profound journey toward truth and self-acceptance. Now a semi-retired Senior Crown Prosecutor, she is surrounded by a strong network of support from her friends, her trans family, her platonic soulmate and housemate Robert, and the church community that welcomed her exactly as she is. Maya is living the life she always intended and now that she has the time and capacity to reflect on her life, Maya has chosen to tell her story.
THE WRITER
Natalie Malla is a queer, mixed race, working class, award winning writer. She has been a finalist in the Funny Women Comedy Writing Awards, won the Bafta Rocliffe New Drama Writing Forum and is an alumna of the Channel Four Screenwriting Course. Her original Christmas rom-com; MISTLETOE KISS, was developed as part of the Netflix UK and Creative UK; Breakout Scheme and is now being produced by Bird Flight Films. Natalie has also been selected for Funny Features an initiative run by The Glasgow Film Festival and supported by the BFI.
Over the past year Natalie has co-written on an independent sci-fi film called THE ALICE PARADOX which is currently in post production, wrote additional material for MOTHERS PRIDE released this year. Her buddy comedy RENT-A-FRIEND co-written with Xara Higgs is in development with Gobby Girl Productions with Tristram Shapeero attached to direct and she has a variety of other projects in various stages of development.
Natalie’s short films, Apex, I Am A Unicorn, The Girl In The Dress, Killing Thyme, Crush Hour and Mairi have screened at multiple festivals worldwide, receiving awards and nominations including Best Script at BIFA qualifying Exit 6 Film Festival, Best Short Film at Cannes Short Film Festival, Best Writer at Underwire, an Award of Excellence at the One Reeler Online Film Festival in LA, Best Short and Best of Festival at Carmarthen Bay and the Audience Award at Austin Film Festival.
THE PRODUCER
EverClear Films is a Mumbai- and Amsterdam-based production company dedicated to creating emotionally resonant, socially relevant, and visually compelling content. Rooted in both Indian and international cinema, the company works across feature films, web series, and global co-productions, bringing strong storytelling and high production value to every project.
With a solid foundation in the advertising and commercial film industry, EverClear Films has produced numerous campaigns for Indian and international brands, working alongside leading directors, agencies, and creative teams.
EverClear Films recently produced the feature film “Mercy”, an intimate and powerful drama exploring end-of-life choices and emotional courage. The film has been selected at multiple global festivals and marks EverClear’s expansion into long-form storytelling. The company continues to develop film and series projects across India, Europe, and the U.S.
Combining narrative depth, commercial expertise, and international reach, EverClear Films aims to build a slate of stories that inspire, engage, and spark meaningful conversation across borders.
Neeraj Vasudeva | neerajvasudeva@everclearfilms.com
Anuradha Sachdev | anuradha@everclearfilms.com