Masaan: A Tug-Of-War Between Reality and Grief

FILM REVIEW

Devi Pathak, played by Riccha Chadda, falls prey to blackmail by the local police. She is a trainer at a coaching centre. She embraces her curiosity and decides to have sex with her boyfriend, who is one of her students at the coaching centre. They book a hotel room, which eventually escalates into a never ending nightmare for Devi. The local police interrupt them after being tipped off by the hotel staff. Inspector Mishra, played by Bhagwan Tiwari is the antagonist in Devi's life. As police bust into the room of the couple, Piyush locks himself in the bathroom and slits his own wrist. On the other hand, Inspector Mishra records a video of half-dressed Devi and threatens her to publish it on social media.

The common man is often asked to dream and hope within the walls of his abode. He is taught to mask his desires in veils of shame, societal acceptance, and to cater to the needs of his family. The common man's battles with their hopes and desires often subside down in the chaotic bustle of various localities. The turmoil of having their dreams abused by destiny, the trauma of exploited by the society while they are mercilessly cornered to a never ending abyss, contains numerous untold tales. It is a never ending whirlpool of what have been, should have been, and could have been.

Neeraj Ghaywan's directorial debut, 'Masaan' is a perfect tri-junction of hope, dream and reality. The director picks up a screenplay by Varun Grover to give us tired and numb eyes that are victims to fate and grief. The independent drama film features Vicky Kaushal, Richa Chadda, Shweta Tripathi and Sanjay Tripathi on the major rules. Along with the director, the film is also Vicky Kausha's debut film.

Devi Pathak, played by Riccha Chadda, falls prey to blackmail by the local police. She is a trainer at a coaching centre. She embraces her curiosity and decides to have sex with her boyfriend, who is one of her students at the coaching centre. They book a hotel room, which eventually escalates into a never ending nightmare for Devi. The local police interrupt them after being tipped off by the hotel staff. Inspector Mishra, played by Bhagwan Tiwari is the antagonist in Devi's life. As police bust into the room of the couple, Piyush locks himself in the bathroom and slits his own wrist. On the other hand, Inspector Mishra records a video of half-dressed Devi and threatens her to publish it on social media.

Devi's life becomes more difficult as Inspector Mishra takes the matter to her home. He conditions Devi and Vidyadhar, her father, played by Sanjay Tripathi, to submit an amount of Rs 3 lakh in three month duration, or else he will publish the video.

It is a strange trap that the retired Sanskrit teacher falls in. He sells religious objects and artifacts to earn a living. The amount demanded by the police is a mountain whose top he can't see. The only possible way for him to gather the money is the little boy Jhonta, played by Nikhil Sahni, who urges Vidyadhar to let him allow participating in a daily diving competition where audience places bets, so that he can earn some money for both of them. Vidyadhar goes against his ideals and resorts to the only way that his feet stand on.

The life of the second lead character of the story is set along the title of the film, 'Masaan' which means crematory ground. Residing in an area, which is basically a locality who cremates dead bodies, is the engineer Deepak. He leaves a monotonous life studying as an engineer and preparing for his job interviews. When he is not sitting on his study chair or is away from his friends, he helps his father and brother in the cremation ground.

Monotony is broken in the life of the lower caste boy when Shaalu, played by Shweta Tripathi crosses his life. The introverted lad approaches her through Facebook and eventually they start dating. Love ignites the classic tale of 'what could be'. Shaalu belongs to an upper caste which inflicts insecurity in Deepak with the doubt that whether her family will ever accept him. However, the couple decides that Deepak getting a job should be a good factor to hold on to what they have.

In the age of modernism and technology, caste system shouldn't possibly be a factor to limit love. On the other hand, a young couple deciding to have consensual sex is still considered unethical and seems like a threat to their lives in the film's scenario. This is exactly the cross section in which Varun Grover and Neeraj Ghaywan sets up Masaan within Varaanasi. Time flows constantly but the lives of our characters seem to be stuck in the same plot of emotional disturbance.

Devi finally bags a temporary government job in Indian Railways and lies to her father that she wants to continue her studies in Allahabad University. Prior to that, she runs around in various jobs as news of her incident moves from mouth to mouth. Shaalu goes on a pilgrimage trip and faces death in a bus accident along with her family. Fate's cruelty sends her body back to the same cremation ground where Deepak works. Grief grips Deepak as he succumbs to fate's cruelty. He later gets a job in Allahabad.

On the other hand, Devi's father bets a saving of Rs 10,000, a portion of the last of his savings on Jhonta. Jhonta drowns in this event and Vidyadhar loses his money. He takes Jhonta to the hospital. As Jhonta regains consciousness, Vidyadhar apologises to him. Jhonta, however hands over a ring to Vidyadhar, which is apparently Shaluu's ring that Deepak threw into the river in grief. Vidyadhar sells the ring and pays the remaining amount to Inspector Mishra.

On the other hand Devi visits Piyush's family where his father bursts out in anger and slaps her away. She visits the Ganges to immerse the gift that Piyush had gifted her. On the same day, Deepak is on the bank of the Ganges and notices Devi crying. He offers her water to drink and both of them sail towards Sangam on a boat.

The film concludes in perfect redemption and leaves a space for healing and moving on for our central characters.

Also Read: Smita Patil: The Pole Star of Indian Parallel Cinema

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