MASAAN(2015)

Masaan is a poetic meditation on the cycle of life and death. Themes of discrimination, grief, loss, separation, freedom, and cyclical systemic abuse are explored and conveyed through the protagonist's arcs.

Masaan conveys the idea that people are trapped in small towns with forces bent on keeping them in the same manner. Devi's exploited by the police, and Deepak's lower caste badge finds him unable to be with the love of his life.

This is juxtaposed with Benaras and its imagery of the Ganges and Shamsan (cremation ground), standing for liberation and freedom(death and rebirth). The film is preoccupied with poetic and natural imagery, making for a fascinating contrast.

Devi's police extortion arc in 2025 has aged really well in Modi-led India. Sadly, systemic institutions are propelled by the government to exploit vulnerable people, especially women, for their sexuality and to weaponize against them and blame women for it.

Moral policing certainly seems to be on the rise in India post-2014, with the BJP government leading to the rise of right-wing organizations upholding a pious culture for women, yet systemically oppressing them and amplifying systemic abuse.

Yet Masaan remains optimistic about individual people and people rebuilding their lives, tying into themes of rebirth after death. The final scene provides catharsis for Devi and Deepak's journeys, finally able to cleanse what once held them back.

Masaan feels fascinating in its contrast to the Modi-era cinema that prioritizes maximalist jingoism, macho men, and war propaganda. In retrospect, Masaan feels anxious about this change in approaching Hinduism.

Notably, the film presents a restrained yet nuanced perspective on Hinduism and its myths, avoiding sanitization and sensationalism. It feels refreshing after a decade of saffron-led cinema, and in the context of the 2010s, feels very timely and in conversation with it.

Overall, Masaan is a grounded yet poetic tale about Benaras and individual actions that resist forces of oppression seeking to dominate and uphold a system that suppresses vulnerable people. It feels timely, more so in the 2020s.

Technically, Masaan is purposefully minimalist and grounded in its exploration of systemic and caste abuse. Tracking shots, closeups, framing, handheld camera movement, low contrast, and desaturated color palettes define the realist cinematography.

Jump Cuts, Cross-cuts, and long sequences define the elliptical editing and bring a sense of rhythm to the narrative, and create a narrative parallel. The powerful yet minimalist acting brings restraint, layers, and emotional range, eschewing melodrama.

The soundscape emphasized silence, ambient sounds for a grounded and sombre narrative. The intricate production design is a highlight, making the Ganges and Benaras itself a character with its lived-in presence, giving it personality and depth.

The cast provides fit, diversity, and depth that maintain the raw performances. The minimal visual effects enhance the naturalistic world and the grounded approach of the narrative. Overall, Masaan is purposefully minimalist and propulsive

Writing: 10/10

Direction: 9/10

Cinematography: 9/10

Acting: 10/10

Editing: 9/10

Score: 10/10

Sound: 7/10

Prod Design: 10/10

Casting: 10/10

Effects: 5/10

Overall Score: 8.9/10