Masaan

PLOT SUMMARY

Set in present day Banaras, the plot of Masaan follows two seemingly separate story arcs that eventually converge. The first of these tells the story of Devi (Richa Chadda). The film opens with her and her fellow student, Piyush (Saurabh Chaudhary), checking into a hotel room. They are interrupted when the police bursts in, accusing them of indulging in “indecent behaviour”, and even getting a confession from Devi on videotape. Subsequently, Devi and her family are subjected to blackmail by the police, particularly one Inspector Mishra (Bhagwan Tiwari), who demands a hefty bribe from Vidyadhar Pathak, Devi’s father (Sanjay Mishra).

Father and daughter's peaceful existence becomes a nightmare because they have to make 3 lakhs in 3 months to pay off the cop. The father lets go off his scruples and he places bets. He endangers the life of a young boy(Nikhil Sahni) who is his chela(disciple) by getting him to enter a dangerous competition like picking up coins from the Ganga. One day the boy almost loses his life. Devi takes up jobs as a receptionist and then later as a Railway clerk on ad hoc basis just to pay off the cop's blackmail amount. However her heart is not in these jobs. She is heartbroken because of her separation from Piyush and wants to go to his home and make peace with his parents. Devi also goes off to Allahabad to pursue further studies.

The second narrative concerns Deepak (Vicky Kaushal), a young boy (also from Banaras) who belongs to the untouchable Dom caste. As a result, he is forced to work on the Ghats of the Ganga, burning bodie on funeral pyres; he longs to escape this atmosphere of marginalisation. Deepak meets and falls in love with Shaalu (Shweta Tripathi), a young girl who belongs to the upper-class Gupta clan, and their difference in caste leads to familial and societal conflicts.

Deepak and Shweta spend a lot of time getting to know one another. At the back of their minds, they fear that society will divide them basis caste. However they plan marriage. But just before this can happen Shweta goes on a pilmgrimage with her entire family.

And one day when Deepak is burning bodies on the ghats, he hears of an accident where a bus has fallen into the Ganga claiming all the lives of the passengers within. To Deepak's utmost horror, he sees a body of a girl who he recognises by the ring on her finger. And his worst fears are confirmed when he sees the face.

Spoiler alert ahead--only read this if you have seen the film

Piyush, Devi's boyfriend who is caught in the hotel by the cop fears that his father will punish him. He is also afraid of losing his good reputation. Hence he locks himself up in the lodge toilet while the cops are outside harassing Devi. And he slits his wrists. He dies in the hospital. The cops take Devi to the police-station and her father has to bail her out.

Shweta who goes on a pilgrimage with her family misses Deepak a lot. At one point she gets off from the bus and makes a phone call to him saying that she will marry him even if there is opposition from her family. However soon after this, the bus carryng Shweta and her relatives falls into the river. And she ends up dead. It is unfortunate that Deepak is the one who has to watch her body being burnt on the very ghat where he burns other pyres.

Deepak who gets a job at the Railways as an Engineer in Allahabad meets Devi. Both Devi and he take a boat ride to the Sangam.

Richa Chadda's latest film Masaan is receiving rave reviews from all audience. The film that released on July 24, 2015, was even selected for screening at the Cannes Film Festival.

Here are some responses the film received on Twitter...

masaan what a beautifully poignant film.. Stunning performance by every actor.. Great photography and brilliant writing and direction.

— Sonam Kapoor (@sonamakapoor) July 22, 2015

First love, innocence, heartbeats, earnestness, give and take, pain, loss, life, death, rebirth and continuous hope #Masaan

— Kalki Koechlin (@kalkikanmani) July 21, 2015

So many India's within India... The criss crossing of new and old... So delicately and magnificently handled in #Masaan. Go watch this movie

— Dia Mirza (@deespeak) July 20, 2015

#Masaan is an extremely engaging & moving film.. Loved the textures. Super performances & soulful music...

— Kabir Khan (@kabirkhankk) July 22, 2015

before i start with Ahalya … please remember to go and see MASAAN today.. a gem of a film and we should all go in hoards to see..

— sujoy ghosh (@sujoy_g) July 24, 2015

Need to watch Masaan!!! Haven't heard so many people, say so many great things about a film in a LONG time!

— VISHAL DADLANI (@VishalDadlani) July 23, 2015

A beautiful story about first love, loss, heartbreak and hope. Wonderfully written, directed and acted. Don't miss #Masaan

— kunal kapoor (@kapoorkkunal) July 23, 2015

When that imagery enters thru ur retina & touches ur senses both at conscious & subconscious level, it stays with u. #Masaan is that film.

— sanjay suri (@sanjaysuri) July 23, 2015

Yeh wali gaddi station se nikli bhi aur dil mein baith gayee! #Masaan is so well done. Bravo @RichaChadha_ @battatawada & team.

— Nakuul Mehta (@NakuulMehta) July 24, 2015

Go see #Masaan today people! It's indie but as Indian as any commercial film. Heart breaking, gut wrenching but still doesn't lose hope!

— Milap Zaveri (@zmilap) July 24, 2015

Guys do not miss #Masaan Poignant, penetrating,cinema at its finest! @ghaywan you are a sage. And @guneetm you have a knack for making gems

— Tisca Chopra (@tiscatime) July 22, 2015