Tujhse naraaz nahin zindagi, hairan hoon...
Huzoor is kadar bhi na ithla ke chaliye..
Lakdi ki kaathi, Kaathi pe Ghoda..
It was a dream for me to watch Masoom and it came true yesterday. For years...I have been so unfortunate to miss it every time it is screened on TV. For someone placed in Chennai, to find a Hindi Oldie is nothing less than a hidden treasure. At last, when I begged to Uncle in Landmark (a renowned library in Chennai), after 6 months of waiting period..finally I got it.
Starcast of Masoom needs no introduction...but still to do the formalities..This was a masterpiece of Shekhar Kapur , starring Naseeruddin Shah as D K, Shabana Azmi as Indu (Dk’s Wife) , Saeed Jafri as Suri (Dk’s Friend), Urmila Matondkar as a child artist, Rinki and Jugal Hansaraj also a child artist, Rahul.
Shekhar Kapur has filled this movie with so much of realism that at times you’ll relate those moments with your own life.
DK and Indu are a happily married couple with two kids Rinki and Mini. Both DK and Indu are quite satisfied with their life. Both of them are mature and share amazing understanding with their kids. From dropping them to school , solving disputes of kids , assisting them in homework and giving them time.
Suddenly, story takes a turn..and DK receives a letter from Masterji in Nainital. He comes to know that he has a son from his extra-marital relationship. Director neither approves nor disapproves of this relation, choice is left to viewers. It wasn’t a relation of lust or affair of any kind. But, just the emotional outburst of a helpless woman, which unfortunately materialized to give birth to an innocent life, Rahul.
DK didn’t hide the truth with his wife as most of the husbands in movies of 2000’s do. With the death of Masterji, Rahul came to DK’s house. Rahul’s mother died long back and the only dream in his life was to meet his Papa. Scene of shooting star where Rahul wishes to meet his Father, who is infact sitting in front of him is very touching.
Indu is not able to forgive DK for his mistake. But, she doesn’t throw any tantrums or demands any divorce. Courageously, She stays back in the same house taking care of her children. She starts ignoring DK, but never shouts at him. She is shown as a sensible woman who doesn’t make any immature move which can ruin her family life.
Shabana Azmi has performed brilliantly in exhibiting mixed emotions. There has been several occasions where on one hand Shabana is not able to control her motherly love towards Rahul and then suddenly she realize that its not her child.
e.g. scene where Rahul is presenting her bangle box, then the scene where he hurts his hand and shouts “mummy”. Scene where Shabana enters Rahul’s room and put the blanket on him, then she’s again put off watching Rahul mother’s picture. Also, the scene when DK come back from Nainitaal , kids getting cheered up “Papa aa gaye” and Shabana getting ready in front of mirror.. the she realizing, for whom..why?
D K is shown in a helpless situation, where his professional work is getting affected due to his personal problems. He is feeling uncomfortable due to unwelcomely gesture of Indu towards Rahul. He’s not bold enough to take the decision of keeping Rahul in his house (as he did in Main Hoon Naa) and ready to face the conclusions. You can call it his cowardness or love for his family, decision is again left to viewers.
Rahul is again shown as a very matured and composed character. He is strong enough to see deaths of his Mother and Masterji. He gets emotional when Indu sings lori for her Rinki and Mini. He also wish to get love of Indu, but in turn only get ignored by her. He is a talented guy who teaches Rinki and makes bangle box for Indu. With his innocence, he gets along well with Rinki and Mini.
Later on when he realizes that DK is his father, he is completely shattered. He is shocked that whole life he has been dreaming to meet his Papa and when he meets, even his Papa disowns him. But Rahul never complaints to DK for anything. In the last scene, when DK sends him to boarding school.. Rahul only asks “Aap mujhse milne aaoge naa..mujhe bhool to nahin jaoge”.
…. And tears started rolling down my cheeks.
Many movies tried to copy this theme of son coming back to Papa, e.g. Salman Khan starrer “Jab Pyar kisi se hota hai”, but none of them could match the standard of MASOOM. With its melodies songs, which are still hummed by audience and brilliant screenplay…Masoom leaves back a lasting impression on your heart .