MAYA (1966) CONTINUED
Back in the states, promotional work for MAYA came early in March1965, while the film was still being shot in India. The King Brothers announced that they signed a promotional contract with actor, Jairaj. Jairaj, a 275 lb. wrestler, had won more than 500 professional wrestling matches in the Far East. The King Brothers engaged him for promotional appearances in the U.S. for the film.
MAYA was released in theatres in the summer of 1966. On June 23rd, the New York Times reviewed the film, commenting that the real star of the film “is India itself” and that the role of the Indian boy was “played winningly” by Sajid Khan. MAYA merchandise was also released to promote the film, including a Dell Movie Classics Comic, a soundtrack of the film's score by Riz Ortolani, and a complete set of Topps Trading Cards
Sajid made a promotional trip to United States in June 1966 for a month long MAYA tour. For the tour, Jay North visited southern states, including Georgia, Alabama, and North Carolina. Sajid began his tour in New York City and headed to such places as Syracuse, Chicago and Washington. On June 7th, the Syracuse press wrote that:
Back in the states, promotional work for MAYA came early in March1965, while the film was still being shot in India. The King Brothers announced that they signed a promotional contract with actor, Jairaj. Jairaj, a 275 lb. wrestler, had won more than 500 professional wrestling matches in the Far East. The King Brothers engaged him for promotional appearances in the U.S. for the film.
MAYA was released in theatres in the summer of 1966. On June 23rd, the New York Times reviewed the film, commenting that the real star of the film “is India itself” and that the role of the Indian boy was “played winningly” by Sajid Khan. MAYA merchandise was also released to promote the film, including a Dell Movie Classics Comic, a soundtrack of the film's score by Riz Ortolani, and a complete set of Topps Trading Cards
Sajid made a promotional trip to United States in June 1966 for a month long MAYA tour. For the tour, Jay North visited southern states, including Georgia, Alabama, and North Carolina. Sajid began his tour in New York City and headed to such places as Syracuse, Chicago and Washington. On June 7th, the Syracuse press wrote that:
“After arriving in Syracuse Saturday, the first city he visited after arriving in New York City from Bombay, Sajid stepped off the plane at Hancock Airport with a stack of comics under his arm, featuring Capt. Marvel.
For the Syracuse visit, Sajid came to meet more than 50 boys and girls who won contests in the Schine theater area and were guests at the Eckel to see another MGM adventure film, ‘Around the World and Under the Sea”...
While on tour, Sajid will be a guest at a dinner given by the Indian ambassador in Washington. That’s where Sajid will wear his black silk tunic edged with gold embroidery. But for his Syracuse visit, he wore the ‘international’ male garb of trousers and jacket, except that his jacket was made of raw silk.”
For the Syracuse visit, Sajid came to meet more than 50 boys and girls who won contests in the Schine theater area and were guests at the Eckel to see another MGM adventure film, ‘Around the World and Under the Sea”...
While on tour, Sajid will be a guest at a dinner given by the Indian ambassador in Washington. That’s where Sajid will wear his black silk tunic edged with gold embroidery. But for his Syracuse visit, he wore the ‘international’ male garb of trousers and jacket, except that his jacket was made of raw silk.”
Above: Harry Unterfort, manager of Schine Theaters, points out the Syracuse skyline to Sajid Khan and his guardian, Mrs. Sardar Akhtar, during the MAYA tour in 1966.
