Shayda follows the story of an Iranian woman taking refuge in Australia with her little daughter while having to deal with a trauma from her past in the form of her abusive husband. The story here is powerful given the trajectory of the protagonist and the emotional turmoil that she has to undergo. The emotional turmoil here is more psychological and cerebral while only acquainting the viewers about her past abuse that she was subjected to. And that is what makes the story special as you are emotionally connected to the protagonist and her daughter, who sees the world in a very different light while being with her father. The screenplay standing at a shade under 2 hours does make for a compelling watch while also staging the drama against the backdrop of the Persian New Year, Nouroz which also allows the viewers to get a glimpse of the cultural background of a community residing away from their homes in a foreign land. 

The drama begins with the introduction of the protagonist and her daughter who are shown to be entering a foreign land(in this case Australia). There is very little context provided on her past or what she has been subjected to, something that can only be conjectured through her inferences with another woman. Through her conversations it is slowly made clear that she has taken refuge in Australia while leaving her abusive husband behind. In a shocking conversation, she describes the kind of abuse that she has been subjected to, even as her little daughter had watched her father forcing himself onto her mother. This itself was a startling sequence that would make you squirm in your seat. 

The proceedings are engaging with the simmering levels of tension slowly raised with each passing minute, particularly after the introduction of the character of the husband who makes his way to Australia after the court verdict. You at once start judging the character who seems to be subdued to begin with, but slowly starts showing his colours of insecurity and aggression, something that was reflective of his past behavior with his wife. In between, I did like how Nouroz, the Persian New Year was integrated in the plot. I am a fan of cultural references and I must say that I am familiar with Nouroz given that I am a Zoroastrian myself, but the writers also do their bit in explaining some of the rituals and their meaning that truly made for an enriching watch from a cultural standpoint. 

An important reference of Nouroz which essentially signals the onset of Spring in the Northern Hemisphere, had a completely different meaning given that the drama was set in Australia which was in the Southern Hemisphere. So it was the onset of Autumn, a season that depicts the art of letting go, as the leaves often fall off. That was exactly what the protagonist was going through, even as she meets another man with whom.she reluctantly forms a budding friendship, much to the dismay of her abusive husband. In all of this, the character of the daughter is equally traumatized, initially warming up to her father only to realise the amount of trauma that her mother is subjected to, at the behest of this man. And these range of emotions are wonderfully portrayed throughout the narrative that almost unfolds like a gripping thriller in the portions leading up to the final act which was heartfelt and heartbreaking. Overall, the screenplay is very well written and makes for a solid impact while highlighting the undying bond between the protagonist and her daughter against all odds.