Indeed, the socio-political reality in Masaan is impossibly frustrating. Directed with heart by Neeraj Ghaywan, the film chronicles two separate accounts of two heartbroken souls and explores the most difficult themes at the heart of India's socially and culturally underdeveloped and often regressive areas, including class prejudice, poverty, misogyny, and systemic corruption. The last of these, as manifest in one of its stories through blatant police corruption, is enraging. The helplessness of simple citizens before a corrupt system and the inability to seek any guidance or justice against the most immoral of people as well as the narrow mentality of their own society, makes for a rather troubling watch.
But not everything is this dark, as just in life, there's always a ray of hope and a way out. Life goes on, and this film shows it. Amidst the devastating reality that this film presents and its critical commentary on its many important issues, a true portrait of optimism, resilience and hope turns out right underway. And it emerges rather naturally through the strong sense of life that drives the film's wonderful characters, all of whom choose to move on and win. Masaan is beautifully shot, with even the most unpleasant places looking quite exotic. It is nowhere near a mainstream film but the realism blended in some wonderful romantic portions make for nice moments of relief.
The acting is spot on, with Sanjay Mishra leading the cast with a heartfelt and touching performance. Richa Chadda is excellent in an understated performance; she smiles not once and wears a permanent frown on her face, but clearly holds in so much. Vicky Kaushal, though a little self-conscious at points, does exceedingly well in a movingly natural debut performance. His simplicity and everyman quality helps a lot, and indeed, his romantic scenes with the lovely and pretty Shweta Tripathi are quite cute. Masaan is not a film for everyone but many curious viewers might find an insight of a world far removed from their consciousness in this fine, heart-touching film.
But not everything is this dark, as just in life, there's always a ray of hope and a way out. Life goes on, and this film shows it. Amidst the devastating reality that this film presents and its critical commentary on its many important issues, a true portrait of optimism, resilience and hope turns out right underway. And it emerges rather naturally through the strong sense of life that drives the film's wonderful characters, all of whom choose to move on and win. Masaan is beautifully shot, with even the most unpleasant places looking quite exotic. It is nowhere near a mainstream film but the realism blended in some wonderful romantic portions make for nice moments of relief.
The acting is spot on, with Sanjay Mishra leading the cast with a heartfelt and touching performance. Richa Chadda is excellent in an understated performance; she smiles not once and wears a permanent frown on her face, but clearly holds in so much. Vicky Kaushal, though a little self-conscious at points, does exceedingly well in a movingly natural debut performance. His simplicity and everyman quality helps a lot, and indeed, his romantic scenes with the lovely and pretty Shweta Tripathi are quite cute. Masaan is not a film for everyone but many curious viewers might find an insight of a world far removed from their consciousness in this fine, heart-touching film.