Shivi's Take: Masaan

 Shivi's Take: Masaan 

There are movies that need lots of words to convey emotions and then there are some that say it all in little. Masaan is one of them. If we are going to talk about Indian cinema that actually says something and doesn't hide behind monologues or melodrama, we need to talk about Masaan. Also, if your only memory of this film is 'Vicky Kaushal's debut, right?' PLEASE watch it again. 

Before I get into the film, hi, I'm Shivika. I'm a film student, a writer and an aspiring director. I write about films, people and pain under my blog right here :)

Now. Masaan.

Directed by Neeraj Ghaywan and written by Varun Grover, this 2015 film lets it's characters breathe in a realistically painful manner. Devi is being punished for wanting pleasure and Deepak is being punished for wanting love. The world around them, whether corrupt cop or caste-bound society are the ones doing the punishing. This movie doesn't care about pleasing everyone. Its slow and sometimes uncomfortable which makes it work so smoothly. 

The dialogues are so effortlessly clean. There's a moment where Deepak says, "Yeh dukh kaahe khatam nahi hota?" which stayed with me. Also, if you haven't heard "Tu Kisi Rail Si" on loop during a 3am existential spiral, have you even processed heartbreak correctly?

Moreover, If Masaan had been released today, in the middle of reels, rushed content and fake-deep cinema, it might have been misunderstood. Labeled 'too slow' 'too serious' 'not enough plot twists'. 

Masaan, in my opinion, doesn't need any twists. It sits with you like real grief does. 

Avinash Arun's cinematography is poetic. He gave Banaras emotions. The ghats, the boats and the narrow alleys feel lived in and not just dressed up. 

The direction is remarkably restrained because Neeraj doesn't manipulate the emotions. He trusts us, his audience, to understand which is something a lot of filmmakers aren't really doing. He knows when to say nothing. 

Richa Chadha and Vicky Kaushal are, of course, unforgettable. They don't perform pain, they actually are able to carry it. The sound design deserves more love too. There's no dramatic underscore trying to pull your tears out. There's more ambient noise like river water, train tracks, temple bells etc. adding up to the realism. 

To sum it up, Masaam is a much-needed pause. 

9/10 from me (not that you asked)

Thankyou for reading!