#masaan

[waltz-of-letters]

बिखरे-बिखरे छंद-सा टहले,

दोहों में ये बंध न पावे।

नाचे होके फिरकी लट्टू,

खोजे अपनी धूरी रे।

मन कस्तूरी रे,

जग दस्तूरी रे।

[maysshortmoviereviews]

Homebound (2025)

Two friends from a North Indian village pursue police jobs seeking dignity, but their friendship strains as desperation grows in their quest.

I was recommended this movie by an acquaintance, so I decided to check it out. It’s a tough and emotional film (the trailer should give you an idea) and a very sad story. Although moving, I found it to be a bit one-dimensional at times, with everything presented as very black-and-white—good or bad, oppressed vs. oppressor. It also showed how cheap human life can be, especially during Covid.

I had mistakenly believed that it was going to be something inspirational; it’s mostly just a sad story of struggle after struggle (and I can't say more without giving away the plot), so bear that in mind when/if you watch it.

[desikanya]

तू किसी रेल सी गुज़रती है

मैं किसी पुल सा थरथराता हूँ,

तू भले रत्ती भर ना सुनती हो

मैं तेरा नाम बुदबुदाता हूँ,

किसी लम्बे सफर की रातों में

तुझे अलाव सा जलाता हूँ ||

[shaam-e-ghamkiqasam]

masaan

train ki patri

aisi thar tharai

jaisa mera mann thar tharaya tha,

tum jab nazar mein 

aaye the

uss do pal ki guftagu ne

aisa magan rakha

ki na waqt ka hosh tha

na yaad tha sheher ka naam

mere khayalaat mein tum yun

basse rehte the

ki chai kab thandhi padgayi

aur nashta kab jal gaya

uska pata hi na chalta 

tumhari harkaton se

mein rag rag se waaqif thi

afsoos, inhi harkaton ki mein ab

mohtaaj ban gayi hun

kayi shaamon ke baad

kayi phikhi muskuraahat ke baad

na sukoon mila uss thandhi chai mein

na uss jale hue nashte mein,

aqsar zehen se baat nikal jaati thi

tere khayalaton mein

bhoolne lagi tumhari wo harkatein

bhoolane lagi kudhko mein tumse

toh ek aur baar

ek aakhri baar

jab train ki patri

thar tharai

mera sunn mann, 

thama raha

jab tum nazar 

mein aaye

mera thama hua mann, 

sunn raha

[aaja-pia-tohe-pyaar-du]

"Chiragon ko aankhon mein mehfuz rkhna

badi der tak raat hi raat hogi,

musafir hai hum bhi,

musafir ho tum bhi,

kisi mod par phir mulaqat phir hogi."

[nirmiti]

tu kisi rail si guzarti hai,

main kisi pul sa thartharata hu,

tu bhale ratti bhar na sunti hai,

main tera naam bud-budaata hu.

kisi lambe safar ki raaton me,

tujhe alaav sa jalaata hu,

tu kisi rail si guzarti hai,

main kisi pul sa thartharata hu.

-masaan.

[anotherfanaccount]

Finally watched Masaan. And god it breaks you down to your soul. And then says life goes on because you're still here. Your life is still yours even if it's hard right now.

For a movie to deal with grief it's a oddly comforting one. The songs the ghats the rawness are one of the reason. And of course thank gods for heartfelt actors.

[my-usernames-posts]

I would literally do anything to re live that feeling I had when I first watched Masaan. There is something extremely raw about understanding the original dialogue & not needing subtitles.

And yet. Yet. I did not know a lot of cultural nuances within the story. Such as the belief that splitting the skull during cremation is said to help the soul rest in peace. The betting on kids who can dive to pick coins. Slut shaming & stigma on pre marital sex being more condemned in smaller towns than metropolitan cities.

The subtlety of accents. Devi uses the word "please" "papa" & always speaks in a clear "sophisticated" way, sprinkled with English words. She's digitally literate. Confident even that despite everyone's blackmail, she was just in love & not being the so called slut. She was afraid but never guilty. She never accepted harassment.

Then we have Deepak & Shaalu. Blissfully happy. Until reality starts sinking in. Their families will not accept an inter caste marriage. Deepak starts getting insecure that his family cremates bodies for a living. Shaalu feels pathetic for asking. Of course she meant no harm but damn was she scared of bring disowned.

And then it starts to merge. Devi & Deepak both want to break their cycle of poverty. They study hard & move in search of opportunity. They want to better their lives. They've lost their lovers. They both throw their lover's remaining token into the rivers.

I personally see the last line to be layered. That they should go to sangam twice. But were they really alone? Or were they going with that someone not next to them but in their heart?