Masaan: A critical analysis of the interplay of caste, gender, class.

By – Aqsa Qureshi.

Movie Review with sociological aspects.

MASAAN -The movie questions the deeply rooted myths and misconceptions that are regarded as morals and ethics by many Indians. The meaning of masaan i.e “Shamshaan ghat” is a place where, according to Hindu religious customs, the dead are buried.

The movie captures the vicious cycle of life and death ridden with the colors of caste.It parallelly depicts the life of three young people Belonging to three different castes Which towards the end interwoven to each other.

The film begins with the story of upper-caste Brahmin girl Devi Pathak (Richa), who checks into a hotel with her boyfriend ‘consensually.’ A corrupt cop catches Devi and her love in an intimate and vulnerable situation, he takes advantage of the same and threatens to publicly defame her unless a hefty bribe is paid.

The remainder of their journey is focused on the trials and tribulations that they face together during this period.

Caste is an important theme in the film and is subtly explored at various points along with the class.

While convincing the corrupt police officer Devi’s father throws a casteist remark and said – ‘Hume laga aap apne wale hai to sambhal lenge’

He thought the cop who was a brahmin too would consider their plea on a caste basis.

Corruption is yet another challenge in Indian society that goes beyond any logical approach. The fact the family was not even capable of paying the bribe shows us how screwed the system is.

At one point in the course of the movie Devi goes on to say, “chote sheher, choti soch”

Which is in tune with her desire to leave the city so she can escape the narrow-minded mentality of the people around her. This depicts her little effort against the orthodox society who is conditioned to question only women.

When Devi had to change her workplace, she was sexually abused there because of her rumor with her boyfriend.

Every tier of society is challenged with its absurd greed.

On the other hand, we see Deepak Kumar, brilliant in his studies, wants to work as hard as possible so he gets a good job and can get rid of the caste baggage he is forced to carry. He belongs to the Dom community which cremates the dead at the Varanasi ghats. Deepak’s father remarked on their living condition and said- “Acha hai, jitna jaldi ho nikal jao yaha se”

This depicts the contrast between the perspective of Varanasi, considered to be the purest site, where every

Hindu desires to visit when his time comes and on the other hand, both Devi and Deepak are shown unhappy and dissatisfied with their lives.

It conveys how people never really get to know the true condition of the world around us and can only view from a delusional lens.

Deepak falls in love with Shalu Gupta who is an upper-caste girl and comes from a well-off family.

Both belong to different castes, one from an untouchable caste while the other from an upper caste in comparison to that of a dom they both meet, and like the train and the tracks, have a lasting bond of love and togetherness.

But in a conversation with his friends, Deepak is reminded by his friend about their caste difference.

Deepak is also found uncomfortable talking about his living condition to his love, in the fear that she might judge him.

When Shalu comes to know about Deepak’s caste, she also tells him that her parents will never agree to their relationship.

And she reassured him by saying,” Bhaag ke jaana hoga na to bhaag bhi jaenge “.

All these slight instances show us that how deeply these social differences prevail over our liberty to love or even choose our life partner, that we consider eloping as a solution rather than convincing.

In another sequence I noticed Deepak’s father (who is from the Dom community) is enjoying a drink with others near the crematorium, a Brahmin man is seen sitting with them. His

stool on which he is eating’ his meal is visibly separated from the khat on which others are sitting.

The film showcases how the practice of untouchability, rooted in the caste system continues to plague India, albeit in a more concealed form.

Devi and Deepak’s lives are separate but are about the same struggle.

With an ambient narrative that pronounces no grand judgments, Masaan is a film truly reflective of our ephemeral times, and the tussle between the individual and the society

And yet, the sense of closure it leaves you with, lets your heavy heart rest lightly.