Earlier, the tragedy with Indian films which made a mark at various International Film Festivals was that it never got a decent screening in the theatres. Several acclaimed movies, marginalised as ‘art film’ , would be sidelined by the distributers for not being ‘massy’ enough. The trend, thankfully, is changing with filmmakers acknowledging the enthusiasm of multiplex audience for content-based cinema.
First time filmmaker Neeraj Ghaywan’s 'Masaan' (Hindi for a crematorium), that won two awards at 68th Festival De Cannes, is one such movie, which is all set to break the trend. The movie won FIPRESCI award, International Jury of Film Critics Prize and Promising Future Prize for the Un Certain Regard and has been getting support of the audience too. The buzz over 'Masaan' was so strong that audience anxiously awaited its theatrical release in India.
Tweet reviews by fellow actors largely hailing from the mainstream commercial format; have come out in support of 'Masaan'. Shabana Azmi to Parineeti Chopra and Ayushmann Khurrana, everyone has profusely appreciated the movie for its tight script, poignant narration and measured acting. Ghaywan, who earlier was an assistant director with Anurag Kashyap’s 'Gangs of Wasseypur', has effortlessly changed the trend with his deft direction.
We look at the five reasons that make 'Masaan' a not-to-be-missed movie:
Manish Mundra: Producer Manish Mundra has consistently been supportive of new talent and off beat independent films. A self confessed passionate film lover, the CEO of a Nigerian Petro-chemical firm is relatively new to Indian cinema but has been keen on promoting genuine talents. Interestingly, Manish connected with Indian filmmaker, by following them on Twitter. He started with Sanjay Mishra starrer 'Ankhon Dekhi', directed by Rajat Kapoor, Prashant Nair’s 'Umrika' which made waves at Sundance Film Festival and the latest being Ghaywan’s Masaan that has already made a mark at the 68th Cannes Film Festival.
Indian Ocean: The composition Man Kasturi Re, by Indian Ocean sets the mood of the film and gives new meaning to human desires. One of the oldest Indian rock bands that pioneered fusion rock, earlier connected with movie business by composing music in 'Black Friday', 'Gulaal', 'Peepli Live' and now in 'Masaan'.
Kashi ghat: Ironically, no filmmaker captured the raw beauty and intrinsic culture of the city the way Ghaywan did in 'Masaan'. Varanasi’s famous Ghats remain one of the movie’s main characters, just as its rituals and restricted societal system, which is presented in right proportions here.
Richa Chadda: Richa as Devi is a winner. She is an unapologetic small town rebel who dares to look into her father’s eye despite going through the biggest lows in her life. Fighting the pervasive mentally of the society, she packs her bag to move to a new city to make a fresh start.
Sanjay Mishra: Thank God the phase of cliché babuji is over, the audience cannot stand the traditional and idealist Alok Nath anymore. Sanjay Mishra knows how to bring to fore the essence of a traditional father sticking to his ideologies and fighting inconsistently with the changing world outside. After 'Ankhon Dekhi', this is yet another realistic portrayal by Mishra.
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