Morbid Stuff- Masaan : The Bugle's Verdict

The latest output by Phantom films, Masaan, upholds the honour of the production house, as was anticipated. A painful, gritty, pulsating story, it drowns in the deepest colours of Hinduism and Varanasi, to blossom out like a lotus.

For those that are unaware, ‘masaan’ is a Banarasi slang for ‘shamshaan’ or cremation point. Masaan (known internationally as Fly Away Solo) is the tale of two completely unrelated individuals, Devi and Deepak, whose lives go through a twisted journey to come and converge at the common point i.e. a cremation ghat in Varanasi. Deepak, a civil engineering student, works at the funeral pyres near the Ganga, eventually falling in love with Shaalu, a girl from better circumstances. Devi is a working girl, who is embroiled in a case of the suicide of her student with whom she was caught having intercourse.

Unlike films like Raanjhanaa, Masaan isn’t a pleasant tale showcasing the beauty and culture of Banaras. Sure, it explores into Hinduism and its practices deeply, but to present an extremely sordid view into the lives, desperations and aspirations of the smaller people in the holiest city of India. It explores into the religious and social shackles, restricting people from evolving out of an outdated mindset.

A deeply touching story, coupled with a stellar star-cast and the added name-tag of Phantom films, ensure the arthouse appeal of Masaan, which, as many must be knowing, has been selected to be screened at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival, in the Un Certain Regard category. Though the movie skips ahead at particular points, and is often unable to establish a firm linkage between the characters and the narrative, it eventually succeeds in what it initially set out to.

Richa Chaddha gives another splendid performance as Devi. Her work is a standing testament to her ever-blossoming talent.

 Shweta Tripathi and Vicky Kaushal

Newcomer Vicky Kaushal plays Deepak Chaudhary. His performance is extremely pleasing and he very effectively manages to pull off the Banarasi character.

Sanjay Mishra churns out one of the finest performances of his career, and not too late after his award-winning performance in Aankhon Dekhi. He plays Devi’s desperate father who is losing control over his daughter as well as the situations she has landed herself in.

Neeraj Ghaywan, who assisted Kashyap in the GOT duology, makes his mark in the film industry with this Indo-French collaboration, and brilliant is the one word to describe him.

The music department has been handled by Indian Ocean, who have given exquisite, soulful tracks like 'Tu kisi Rail si' and 'Bhor'. The music and background score ride parallel to the film's mood, and carve out a place for themselves in this beautiful work of art.   

VERDICT – 4 out of 5 stars

This movie isn’t your quintessential Bollywood film, but then you don’t expect one when you go in for a film that is remotely linked to Anurag Kashyap or Vikramaditya Motwane. Though a beautiful film, Masaan is an emotionally afflicting tale and is NOT for just anyone.

But then again... maybe it is.