Maya is a drama and romance film released in 1961. The story revolves around a wealthy man who falls in love with a woman from the slums. The film explores themes of wealth, disillusionment, and love. It portrays the stark contrast between the luxurious lifestyle of the rich and the harsh realities faced by the poor. As the plot unfolds, the characters navigate through a series of events that test their relationships and challenge their beliefs. Maya provides a poignant portrayal of social divisions and the complexities of human emotions.

Arrogant son of a wealthy, blind woman, rapes his mother's nurse and abandons her. She gets pregnant but the child does not live, and she continues to live her life and follow up on her love life, only to face the past, and her "reformed" rapist.

Halaku (Pran), the powerful emperor of Iran, rules the country wisely and with an iron hand. When he comes upon one of his subjects, Niloufer (Meena Kumari), he stakes his claim on her and wants her to be his wife, despite of his wife (Minoo Mumtaz), who opposes his marriage plans. Niloufer, who loves Pervez (Ajit), refuses to submit to Halaku, he turns his wrath on both Niloufer, Pervez, and his wife. Will Niloufer and Pervez survive the ruthless Halaku?

Leela is a beautiful young lady who wishes to marry her sweetheart and poor artist Shyam. By chance, Leela meets Sita, a Rani whose son falls instantly in love with Leela, leaving the young lady with a life-changing dilemma.

Gul Mirza is a poet who sings ghazals at Shahenshah Arkat-Ul-Daula's palace and wins the heart of his daughter, Sahebzadi Aalam. They agree to marry once he finishes his service in the royal army. But when his widowed mother is murdered one night, Gul Mirza speaks out against Arkat and gets labeled a rebel, perhaps never able to meet Aalam again. Inspired by a famous legend from the Mughal era.

Shyama (Suraiya) gets a job as a servant so she can pay for her younger sister, Kiran's (Geeta Bali) education in the city. Kiran, though, is in love with a rogue, Ajit (Pran).

Directed by D.D. Kashyap. With Shekhar, Geeta Bali, Begum Para, Leela Chitnis.