Masoom (1983) - *ing Naseeruddin Shah, Shabana Azmi, Urmila, Jugal Hansraj

[kni]

I cannot believe there isn't a topic on this fantastic and memorable film. Directed by Shehkar Kapoor along with Gulzar for the dialogues and lyrics, this is the best family/social drama film I have ever seen in my life. Every time I watch this, I cry non-stop by the end of the movie. Music by none other than R.D. Burman, I have been humming to the tunes of "Tujhse Naraaz Nahin", "Do Naina", and "Lakdi Ki Kathi" ever since I was little.

It starred three of my favourite actors, Naseeruddin, Shabana and Urmila (who was only 10 years old at the time). These three were remarkable and simply fantastic. But the one who stole the show was young Jugal Hansraj (who was in Mohabbatein - yuck!) where his innocent eyes and voice moved me.

Here is the plot courtesy from IMDB.com:

Masoom is the story of a family crisis that can affect anyone. D.K. Malhotra (Naseer) went to his school reunion and met his then-girlfriend Bhavna (played by the talented Supriya Pathak). He had a one night stand with her though he was already married to Indu (Shabana) and had a baby on the way. Years have past. Malhotra has two young daughters. Then he receives the dreadful phone call. His then-mistress is dead. She has a young son that Malhotra will have to care for. Rahul, the young boy, is completely innocent. He can not help being an illegitimate child. But his presence is tearing his father's family apart. What will happen next? Will Rahul have a new chance at life? Will his new family accept him?

You should definately go see this movie. I recommend all of you guys to see it. Go to your local Indian video store and see it now!!!

[Rohinik]

This truly is a sweet movie. The songs are sentimental and I remember crying for the poor little boy. Touches your heart.

[Fireball]

Oh man. This movie moves slow as molasses, but I loved it anyway. I actually first heard of it in Farah Khan's commentary for Main Hoon Na, when she mentions 'stealing' a plot point of the bastard child returning to his father, and how it affects the home. Jugal was adorable, Urmila was a very talented child actress (I really wished she had been given more screen time) but I wish little Mini had been eaten by the dog  . As for the growed-ups, I thought Naseeruddin Shah was absolutely excellent (he was quite handsome, too, IMHO) and Shabana Azmi even better. Very subtle, very nuanced performances. They completely seemed like real-life people, reacting to a situation realistically.

I also remember enjoying the kids' song waaay too much. It was just simply too cute for words!

Spoiler: If this movie had ended any other way it would have been like a puppy dying. And no one wants a puppy to die. If Jugal (was his name Rahul in the film?) hadn't been reunited with his father and stepfamily it would have been like a poor little animal who didn't do nothin' to nobody dyin' before it even had a chance to live. So naturally I was glad it ended that way. I think I may have actually shouted, "Rahul! I'll adopt you!" at the television screen when I thought it would end a different way. 

[Brindavani]

Unfortunately, there isn't a high quality or even a decent quality dvd of this film. 

[piyaara]

 Have you ever set the timer on your video for a film, shown in the early hours of the morning, and found that it did not tape the whole film?  That happened to me with 'Masoom'.  A pity as I was enjoying it.  It was a little early on, as D.K.Malhotra had just picked up Rahul in his car and was taking him home.

 The film was part of a 'Bollywood Celebrities' season on Channel 4 here in the UK.  I had previously watched 'Ankur', which had starred the lovely Shabana, so I was eager to see it for that reason, too.

 I really liked Naseer's character.

 I've just noticed it's at Bollywooddvds.com on DVD.  Maybe, I might get round to enjoying the rest of the film.  Thanks for the review, Kni, and comments folks... 

[Chirpy_Sabz]

I havent seen this movie in years  ..I dont remember much...i will hopefully see it soon.

[dmitrirex]

Unfortunately, there isn't a high quality or even a decent quality dvd of this film. 

I totally agree.  I have the Baba copy which is very poor quality and, as much as I love this film, I am hesitant to loan it to my friends because of how painfully bad the picture and sound transfer quality is throughout the movie. 

[sweetfriend]

Unfortunately, there isn't a high quality or even a decent quality dvd of this film. 

I totally agree.  I have the Baba copy which is very poor quality and, as much as I love this film, I am hesitant to loan it to my friends because of how painfully bad the picture and sound transfer quality is throughout the movie. 

It is not poor compared with other indian dvds..It is watchable and better than VHS 

[Brindavani]

But my memory of the movie is having seen it in the theatres when it was released.  Even though I was quite young, I remember a lot from this movie and I don't want to spoil those images/memories by watching it on a sub-standard dvd. 

[panjabigator]

I am watching the movie now in hindi class...it is excellent!  I like the plot alot...do you know of movies similar to this?

[crazyone]

I am watching the movie now in hindi class...it is excellent! I like the plot alot...do you know of movies similar to this?

Haha, we watched this in Hindi class too 

[panjabigator]

I am watching the movie now in hindi class...it is excellent! I like the plot alot...do you know of movies similar to this?

Haha, we watched this in Hindi class too 

Where do you study?

[crazyone]

I am watching the movie now in hindi class...it is excellent! I like the plot alot...do you know of movies similar to this?

Haha, we watched this in Hindi class too

Where do you study?

I mentioned it here, when we were talking about Rupert Snell:
http://bollywhat.com/forum/index.php?topic=8500.0

[Anamika]

Unfortunately, there isn't a high quality or even a decent quality dvd of this film.

I totally agree. I have the Baba copy which is very poor quality and, as much as I love this film, I am hesitant to loan it to my friends because of how painfully bad the picture and sound transfer quality is throughout the movie.

It is not poor compared with other indian dvds..It is watchable and better than VHS 

I just discovered Masoom; what a cute movie! As others already said, it's indeed quite slow, very subtle and unspectacular, but still dramatic and moving - a nice, human and believable family story. The cast is just perfect.

But I agree with Brindavani and dmitrirex, that Baba DVD has a very poor, colourless and dark picture amd in parts there's more white noise than actual sound; the dialogue is sometimes behind the picture but some subtitles way too early - it's a shame there isn't a better DVD of this adorable film.

I recommend it as a must see to everyone, but with this DVD quality you have to use the power of your your phantasy - to imagine some colour into the picture and ignore the crackling sound...

[indigal]

I am watching the movie now in hindi class...it is excellent!  I like the plot alot...do you know of movies similar to this?

masoom is based on Erich Segal (sp) 's 'man woman and child'. Why does bollywood never credit the source?

[carla]

I watched Masoom this evening, and I enjoyed it - not just for the view...



... which was delicious, but also because it was a sweet, sad film, with good solid performances all around - even by the kids.  The children were not too angelic; they weren't just small grown-ups; and they each had distinct personalities.  All of these can be challenges that movies about children don't always overcome.

The title of the film means "innocent," and there were two innocent characters in the film - the little boy, Rahul, and Shabana's character Indu.  Both were unwitting victim's of DK's (Naseeruddin's) one instance of poor judgment and self-control.  The film puts Indu in a terrible position, and it is heartbreaking to watch her take out her pain and her anger on the boy.  She knows that she's wrong to do that but for much of the film she can't stop herself. 

One of the things I love best about Shabana (I know; shush, all of you) is that she conveys so much in her silences.  She never needs a lot of dialogue to show you the contents of her character's heart and mind.  Her performance in Masoom is no exception; she makes Indu's struggle palpable, as she alternates between tenderness and coldness toward the boy, or toward her husband.  One of my favorite such scenes is when DK and Rahul return from having been away for a few days (when DK took Rahul to visit the boarding school); her daughters start leaping with excitement, shouting "Papa is home!"  A broad smile crosses Indu's face, and she rises and begins fixing her hair in the mirror; then she stops, suddenly, and her face changes, becomes cold and sad, as the conscious perception of her pain overtakes her momentary joy at DK's return. 

Naseer, too, provides a nice, evocative performance.  He is good at playing deeply sad characters; he wears his pain in a weary face and a weary body, and his DK was well-suited to that kind of performance. 

All in all, a delicate, sensitive film, highly recommended (despite the horrendous quality of the Baba DVD that others have noted on the thread).  Oh, there were some RD Burman songs; I didn't find them particularly memorable, but a second viewing might change that.  And it's always a nice rarity to see a song picturized on Shabana, even if it's only a sad lullaby. 



Did I mention that Shabana looked really, really good?       

[Poonam]

Gush on Carla, I'm with you all the way ! This is one of my favourite Shabana films. I watched it in the theatre all those years ago and remember turning into a weepy, sodden mass. Jugal Hansraj and his beautiful eyes were to drown in. Naseer, Shabana - your heart aches for them like they were your best friends. And THAT SONG - "Tujhse naaraaz nahin zindagi, hairaan hoon main" remains one of my favourites even today.

[filmcrazy]

Shabana looks absolutely gorgeous in this film. This and Arth. I guess her looks haven't really been of importance to me 'ever' just because she is such a wonderful actress. She is an actress first and foremost to me, always. But these two films really made me  ...

Also, I love Urmila in this one. She is adorable. I like how mature she is in this film. I enjoyed watching Shabana and Urmila in Tehzeeb as well. Reminded me of Masoom a a lot.

[carla]

Shabana looks absolutely gorgeous in this film. This and Arth. I guess her looks haven't really been of importance to me 'ever' just because she is such a wonderful actress. She is an actress first and foremost to me, always. But these two films really made me  ...

Yeah.  I love everything about Shabana, the superficial and the less so, and I think she is as gorgeous now as ever; but the way she looked in the early 80s - like you said, in Masoom and Arth - it was a different kind of gorgeous, a kind of sexy, smoldering gorgeous that has given way over time to something more grounded and confident, regal and mature. 

To put this another way, I don't necessarily expect everyone looking at her today to see what I see -- but if you don't think she was hot in the early 80s you should have your head examined.   

Also, I love Urmila in this one. She is adorable. I like how mature she is in this film. I enjoyed watching Shabana and Urmila in Tehzeeb as well. Reminded me of Masoom a a lot.

You know, I've had Tehzeeb in my collection for a while and haven't yet gotten around to seeing it; but watching Masoom has kind of kindled my interest in it, to see them as mother-daughter when Urmila is grown.

[Anamika]

Yes, Shabana is gorgeous in Masoom.

It is always a treat to see her in quiet, bittersweet roles like this, where she can play the whole range of emotions, even without many words; so very subtle, yet perfectly clear.
I am a great fan of the Shabana-Naseer jodi, and I found that quality of her play in Sparsh at least as endearing as in Masoom.

But you're right filmcrazy, in Tehzeeb she and Urmila were great, too; and that mother-daughter theme is something most of us can relate to, I think.

[moonstruk]

Here is the plot courtesy from IMDB.com:

Masoom is the story of a family crisis that can affect anyone. D.K. Malhotra (Naseer) went to his school reunion and met his then-girlfriend Bhavna (played by the talented Supriya Pathak). He had a one night stand with her though he was already married to Indu (Shabana) and had a baby on the way. Years have past. Malhotra has two young daughters. Then he receives the dreadful phone call. His then-mistress is dead. She has a young son that Malhotra will have to care for. Rahul, the young boy, is completely innocent. He can not help being an illegitimate child. But his presence is tearing his father's family apart. What will happen next? Will Rahul have a new chance at life? Will his new family accept him?

i havent seen this movie but the story made me think if Main hoon na was making a reference to this movie... 

[Deewani_Aurat]

Carla thanks so much for recommending this film in your blog.

The story of how every character is affected by this story - the father/son aspect, shabana's feelings of the affair and the boy, the little boy (rahuls) feelings of the family & his father and isolation even the little girls feelings...they just managed to almost perfectly develop these characters and make us feel for each one.  For me the two main stars of this film are Rahul (the little boy) and Shabana.  Some points you were angry at Shabana for how she treated Rahul, other bits you could totally empathise with her problem.  Even when she found out about the affair and little boy they didn't make her go over the top melodramatic - she just handled that scene perfectly.

Anyway loved the movie 4.5/5...

[Parallel_Worlds]

Whoever recommended me this movie, the tissue company thanks you a lot. I couldn't stop crying during this movie. Whenver I thought a sad part was over the director hit me again with another heartwrenching scene.
This movie is a crime to womanhood. I wanted to jump into the movie, hug the little guy and never let go.

One scene was superbly excecuted: When the father (naseeruddin shah) brings Rahul to the train station and they say their goodbyes on the platform. The little boy is hurt that his own father is sending him away to a boarding school and he acts reserved and distant. But then at the last moment the innocence inside of him takes over and he runs up to his father and asks him if he'll come meet him, and if he won't forget him. That's one of the saddest moments of the movie, and I felt the boys pain as if it were my own.
I couldn't empatize with any of the other characters, neither Shabana nor Naseeruddin Shah. To me the movie was all about the boy, and I watched the movie through his eyes. And nothing anyone did made sense to me.

[BollyQueen]

i havent seen this movie but the story made me think if Main hoon na was making a reference to this movie... 

Yup, Main Hoon Na was referring to this movie lol.