Cast: Naseruddin Shah, Shabana Azmi, Urmila Matondkar,
Aradhana, Jugal Hansraj.
Release Year: 1983.
Director: Shekhar Kapur.
In the early 80’s, Shekhar Kapur, a failed actor decided to
venture into direction. And I’m glad he did so. ‘Coz the result was a
beautiful, heartwarming tale – Masoom.
Most people think that the movie is ‘lifted’ from Erich Segal’s ‘Man, Woman and
Child’. Yes and No. Shekhar Kapur had read the book and narrated the idea to
Gulzar, who then wrote the entire screenplay without referring to the book.
Set in Delhi, Masoom
tells the story of D.K.Malhotra (Naseruddin Shah), Indu (Shabana Azmi) and their
kids – Pinky (Urmila Matondkar) and Mini (Aradhana). Indu and D.K's perfect marriage
falls apart when D.K learns about his illegitimate son from an affair with
Bhavna (Supriya Pathak). Since Bhavna is now dead, the child Rahul (Jugal
Hansraj) is sent to Delhi by his guardian to stay with the family. Rahul
develops a bond with the girls, as well as his father, but gets the cold
treatment from Indu. Masoom is about
the innocent child, caught in the crossfire, finding a family.
The performers shine in their respective roles. Perhaps that’s
what makes the film so real, and believable. Naseruddin Shah gives an evocative
performance as the dull D.K; while Shabana Azmi leaves no stone unturned to
show Indu’s inner conflict, as she alternates between coldness and her maternal
feelings towards the boy. One of the best things about her performance is that
she conveys a lot (and I mean A LOT!) through her silence, and there many such
moments in the film. Urmila Matondkar, Aradhana and Jugal Hansraj are a
complete delight. Neither hammy, nor underplayed. Just perfect, and innocent. A
welcome change from the 70’s movies where child actors were so over the top or
today’s movies where they are portrayed to be far more mature for their age.
Masoom gave us one
of the most memorable soundtracks by R.D Burman and Gulzar. Tujhse Naraaz Nahi Zindagi tugs strings
at your heart, Do Naina Aur Ek Kahaani is perhaps the most
underrated lullaby ever, as for Lakdi Ki
Kaathi… I’d read this in one of Gulzar’s interviews – ‘Nobody can write
better nonsense than me. That explains why Lakdi
Ki Kaathi is so popular!’ :D
Scenes to watch out for:
#1: A scene where Mini is watching TV, and Pinky is unable
to study due to the high volume. So damn real! And their argument is so cute! Anybody
who has a younger sibling knows what I’m talking about!
#2: When D.K. and Rahul return from Nainital, the girls go
out to the door jumping. Indu gets up, a broad smile on her face, starts
combing her hair, and stops midway when she realizes she is not on talking terms with D.K anymore. Her expressions
are something to watch. Its amazing how somebody can portray so much without saying a word.
Why not to miss this movie:
Because it’s a beautiful story, adorned with outstanding
performances. At times, the film is so good, it almost seems real.
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