Masoom - 1983

Introduction

Masoom is a 1983 Hindi drama movie based on Erich Segal's novel Man, Women, and Child published in 1980. Masoom movie cast comprises Naseeruddin Shah, Shabana Azmi, Jugal Hansraj, and Urmila Matondkar. The movie was the directorial debut of Shekhar Kapur.

The movie is about Indu and DK, living in Delhi with their daughters, who face upheaval when DK's previously unknown son, Rahul, arrives after his mother's death. Despite initial objections, Rahul becomes close to the family, unaware of his true lineage. DK sends him to a boarding school, but Rahul learns the truth, leading to emotional revelations and a heartfelt reconciliation, bringing happiness back home.

The movie was released on 21st October 1983. It is now available to watch on Amazon Prime Video. Read the article further to know about Movie's story, cast, awards won, etc.

Table Of Contents

• Details

• Plot 

• Release

• Reviews

• Ratings

• Casting

• Crew

• Songs

• Behind the scenes

• Box office collection

• Character Analysis

• Remake
• Sequel

• Interesting Facts

• Conclusion

• How to Book a Personalised Video Message from a celebrity similar to Masoom on Tring?

Details

Plot

Masoom is a touching narrative that delicately explores the complexity of family dynamics and relationships.

DK and Indu lead a tranquil life in Delhi with their two daughters, Pinky and Minni. This domestic bliss is disrupted when DK receives news of a son, Rahul, born out of an affair with Bhavana during a 1973 visit to Nainital. With Bhavana's passing, DK is informed by her guardian, Masterji, about Rahul's existence and his need for a home.

DK, troubled, yet feeling responsible, brings Rahul to live with them in Delhi. The boy quickly bonds with DK and his sisters. However, the presence of Rahul serves as a painful reminder of DK's infidelity for Indu.

As the family dynamics become more turbulent due to Rahul's presence, DK decides to enrol Rahul in St. Joseph's College, a boarding school in Nainital. Rahul reluctantly agrees to this plan.

In an emotional turn of events, Rahul realizes that DK is his biological father, leading him to run away from home. When brought back by a police officer, Rahul confesses his newfound knowledge to Indu. Moved by Rahul's heartbreak, Indu intercepts Rahul at the train station, accepting him as part of the family and forgiving DK.

The film concludes on a hopeful note, with the family reconciling and driving back to their home, signifying the power of acceptance and forgiveness in mending broken relationships. Masoom is a poignant tale that explores heavy emotional themes while championing the strength of family and love amidst tumultuous circumstances.

Release

Play

The movie was released on the year 21st of October 1983. Currently, the movie is available to watch on Amazon Prime Video.

Reviews

Masoom stands as one of the finest gems of Hindi cinema from the 1980s, a decade often criticized for the poor quality of its films. This captivating film marks the directorial debut of the remarkably versatile Shekhar Kapur.

The movie intricately weaves a tale about a happily married couple, DK and Indu, whose perfect world is shattered when DK reveals his extramarital affair and the existence of a love child, Rahul. The film's title, which translates to Innocent, appropriately centers around Rahul, an innocent victim of his father's errors.

Shekhar Kapur’s commendable direction, coupled with Gulzar's brilliant writing, crafts a film that's moving, poignant, and engaging throughout. The wonderful portrayal of urban India during that time and the insightful depiction of modern lifestyles are praiseworthy.

At the forefront of Masoom is Naseeruddin Shah's outstanding performance as DK. Shah perfectly embodies the character's mix of remorse, love, regret, and responsibility. Shabana Azmi, as Indu, delivers a mastered performance showcasing rage, despair, remorse, and compassion.

What sets Masoom apart, however, are its incredible child actors. Despite their young age, they successfully carry the weight of the story with their performances. Urmila Matondkar and Aradhana excel in their roles as Pinky and Minny, respectively, but it is Jugal Hansraj as Rahul who shines brightest. His innocent naivety and adorable charm make his character both persuasive and deeply moving.

While Masoom may not be acclaimed for its graphics or animation, being a film grounded in reality, its editing, sequencing, and cinematography reflect exceptional effort and artistic skill. The pace of the narrative never flags, keeping viewers engaged and emotionally connected throughout.

In no small part, R.D. Burman's soulful soundtrack complements the film's evocative narrative, with songs like Tujhse Naraaz Nahin Zindagi and Do Naina Aur Ek Kahani continuing to resonate even decades later.

Masoom is indeed a must-watch film that spans across genres and appeals to a wide range of audience, thanks to its universal themes of love, betrayal, and redemption. However, it's recommended for a more mature audience who can appreciate the nuanced storytelling and emotional depth.

Perhaps the only shortcoming of the film is its sparse exploration of the evolving relationship between Indu and Rahul, something that could have added another layer of depth to the narrative.

Nevertheless, Masoom remains an endearing classic that strikes a perfect balance between entertainment and emotional resonance. It's a film for re-visiting time and time again, each viewing unfurling more facets of its beautifully crafted narrative. If you haven't seen it yet, it's high time you do. Highly recommended.

Ratings

Casting

-	Actor Name	Character Name	About
	Naseeruddin Shah	Devendra Kumar Malhotra (DK)	Naseeruddin Shah is an Internationally acclaimed Indian film and stage actor, Naseeruddin Shah carved a niche for himself within the film industry right from his debut, Nishant (1975). He is known for remarkable performances in films like A Wednesday (2008), Iqbal (2005), and Masoom (1983).
	Shabana Azmi	Indu Malhotra	Shabana Azmi is an actor, social activist, and former member of parliament, Shabana Azmi made her acting debut with the film Ankur (1974). She is known for her performances in movies like Arth (1982), Fire (1996), and Neerja (2016).
	Supriya Pathak	Bhavana	Supriya Pathak, popular on both small and big screens, made her movie debut with Kalyug (1980). Well-known for her role as 'Hansa' in the television show Khichdi, she also rendered memorable performances in films like Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela (2013).
	Jugal Hansraj	Rahul Malhotra	Jugal Hansraj started his journey as a child actor with Masoom (1983), Jugal Hansraj left an indelible impression on the audience. As an adult, he's known for films like Mohabbatein (2000).
	Urmila Matondkar	Pinky Malhotra	Urmila Matondkar began her journey as a child artist with Kalyug (1980) and became a household name as an adult actor in films like Rangeela (1995), Satya (1998), and Bhoot (2003).
	Tanuja	Chanda	Tanuja is one of Indian cinema's most respected actors, Tanuja made her debut with the film Hamari Beti (1950). She is known for her roles in movies like Haathi Mere Saathi (1971), Jewel Thief (1967), and Prem Rog (1982).
	Saeed Jaffrey	Suri	Saeed Jaffrey is an Indian-British actor, Saeed Jaffrey began his international career with The Guru (1969) and is well-known for his roles in Shatranj Ke Khilari (1977) and Gandhi (1982).
	Paidi Jairaj	Master Ji	Paidi Jairaj made his acting debut with the silent film Vikram Urvashi (1929). He is remembered mostly for his work in movies like Anarkali (1953) and Mughal-E-Azam (1960).
	Satish Kaushik	Tiwari	Satish Kaushik debut in Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron (1983), Satish Kaushik has since been a fixture in Indian cinema. He is known for his roles in movies such as Mr. India (1987) and Saajan Chale Sasural (1996).
-	Aradhana Srivastav	Minni Malhotra	Aradhana Srivastav was known mostly for her role as 'Minni' in Masoom (1983), Aradhana debuted as a child artist in this film and continued her journey in Bollywood with roles mostly in the 1980s and 1990s.
-	Malvika Singh	Mrs. Suri	Malvika Singh is known for her role as 'Mrs. DS Braganza’ in Delhi Crime (2019), Malvika Singh began her acting journey with the movie and has already left quite an impression on audiences.

Crew

Character Analysis

Naseeruddin Shah as DK

Naseeruddin Shah plays DK, a family guy with an illegitimate child named Rahul from a prior relationship. He is divided between his obligations to his previous and present families, and he attempts to strike a balance between the two. 

Shabana Azmi as Indu

Shabana Azmi plays Indu, DK's wife, who realises the truth about Rahul and tries to accept it. She initially resents Rahul's presence, but later accepts him as a member of the family. Azmi gives an outstanding performance, capturing Indu's emotional journey and inner battle.

Jugal Hansraj as Rahul

Jugal Hansraj plays Rahul, DK's illegitimate child. He is naive, interested, and longs for his family's love and acceptance. Hansraj gives an outstanding performance, perfectly expressing the sensitivity and innocence of a child caught in the middle of a complicated scenario.

Aradhana Srivastav as DK's daughter

Aradhana Srivastav plays DK's daughter, who is initially unfriendly to Rahul but later develops feelings for him. Her character offers an intriguing perspective on the influence of the event on the family's youngsters.

Urmila Matondkar as Young Girl

Urmila Matondkar plays a young girl who befriends Rahul. Her character embodies childlike innocence and serves as a source of comfort and camaraderie for Rahul.

Tanuja as Chanda

Tanuja plays Chanda, DK's ex-lover and Rahul's mother. Her character provides insight into DK's history and the events that lead to Rahul's birth. 

Supriya Pathak as Bhavana

Supriya Pathak plays Bhavana, DK's sister-in-law who supports Indu emotionally during her struggle to accept Rahul. Her character exemplifies the value of family and support in times of hardship.

Songs

Awards

Remake

To date, the Masoom movie is remade twice. In 1984, the movie was remade in Telugu named Illalu Priyuralu by A. Kondandarami. In 1985, a movie in Turkish named Bir Aksam Üstü by Ümit Efekan.

Sequel

Recently, director Shekhar Kapur officially announced his endeavour to create a sequel to his debut film from 1983, 'Masoom'. Subsequently, he has divulged the storyline of this forthcoming project titled 'Masoom... The New Generation', hinting at a narrative shift centred around generational dynamics.

Interesting Facts

• A Gulzar look-alike made a cameo in the final scene, parking his car inappropriately next to Naseeruddin Shah's car at the station.

• Shabana Azmi and Urmila Matondkar portrayed mother-daughter duos in both Masoom (1983) and Tehzeeb (2003).

• Actress Supriya Pathak's scenes were omitted, leaving the child actor's background vague.

• Masoom was Shekhar Kapoor's directorial debut, transitioning from acting due to familial ties with Dev Anand, Chetan Anand, and Vijay Anand.

• THe movie is based on Erich Segal's novel Man, Woman and Child.

• Randhir Kapoor intended to produce and act in the film, inspired by the novel Man Woman and Child, but Shekhar Kapur's direction with Gulzar's story credit changed plans.

• During the script narration, Shekhar Kapur's innovative approach using the novel Man, Woman and Child impressed the producer, leading to the film's production.

• Naseeruddin Shah secured his third Filmfare Award, nominated as Best Actor five consecutive years: Junoon (1978), Aakrosh (1980), Chakra (1981), Bazaar (1982), and Masoom.

• Amol Palekar's bilingual film Olangal, based on the same source material, was shelved in favor of Shekhar Kapur's Masoom.

• Naseeruddin Shah's dispute over unpaid dues resulted in a confrontation with producer Devi Dutt on the set of another film, witnessed by Shabana Azmi and the crew.

• Despite industry advice against it due to lack of action or a villain, the film was produced.

• The song Lakdi Ki Kaathi drew lyrics from Gulzar's collection of humorous poems for his daughter.

• Tujhse Naraaz Nahin Zindagi (Female) by Lata Mangeshkar was added late in production to appease the label HMV's desire for a known singer. Unused footage was repurposed for the sequence.

• The opening lines of Lakdi Ki Kaathi were sung by Uttam Singh's young daughter, Gurpreet Kaur.

• Jugal Hansraj debuted as a child actor in this film.

• RD Burman won his second Filmfare Award for Best Music Director after Sanam Teri Kasam (1982).

• Naseeruddin Shah portrayed Urmila Matondkar's father again in Chamatkar (1992), nine years later.

• Urmila Matondkar and Jugal Hansraj reunited as leads in Aa Gale Lag Jaa (1994), 11 years after Masoom.

• Initially approached by Shekhar Kapur, Javed Akhtar was tasked with both lyrics and screenplay, yet his high asking price exceeded the budget, leading to the eventual signing of Gulzar.

• Salma Agha was Shekhar Kapur's preference, a choice vetoed by B.R. Chopra's counsel against her involvement.

• Jugal Hansraj, the endearing boy, failed to transition to adult roles, while Urmila soared to stardom.

• Tujhse Naraaz Nahin Zindagi featured dual versions, sung by Lata Mangeshkar (female) and Anoop Ghoshal (male).

• Guru Dutt's brother Dev Dutt and his wife Chanda Dutt marked their debut as producers with Masoom, followed by their production of Bhavna.

Conclusion 

In conclusion, Masoom is a timeless classic of Indian cinema that continues to be popular among audiences today. The movie's compelling storyline, nuanced characters, and beautiful music have made it an enduring favourite for more than three decades. With a talented cast and crew led by Shekhar Kapur, Gulzar, and R.D. Burman, Masoom remains a masterclass in filmmaking and storytelling. The movie's exploration of the complexities of relationships and the impact of past mistakes on the present is a poignant and timeless reminder of the power of forgiveness and compassion.

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