Saturday, May 17, 2014

Mastram



Rating : 6/10
Release Date : 9th May, 2014
Time : 121 minutes
Director : Akhilesh Jaiswal; Writers : Akhilesh Jaiswal, Gunjan Saxena; Music : Yo Yo Honey Singh & Others
Starring : Rahul Bagga, Tara Alisha, Akash Dahiya, Istiyak Khan, Vinod Nahardih, Sagar




A sweet portrayal, if something like this was possible, of one of the premier, most prolific writers of Hindi porn in the good old days


Particularly endearing is the author, Rahul, struggling through his bank job, desiring to be a writer, aspiring to write lofty novels and poems…and eventually getting suckered into writing porn by his publishers…


Even his porn, inspired by little things / incidents he observes around him (Baniye Ki Lollipop, for example), is written in fine literary style and does try to combine a story with the more salacious bits. However, he does remain at odds and ends internally, enjoying the material fruits of success, yet yearning to have a bestseller to show to his family…he also comes across as slightly diffident with his own mood swings.



The best parts are when he is observing things around him and converting that to porn…whether it’s a visit to the hospital, or watching his wife (a very cute Tara Alisha) chat with his friend. The efforts at showing off the wealth but still trying to hide what he really does is also good fun. However, the pace of the film is on the slower side and it doesn’t seem to be really leading anywhere, content to just showcase the porn writer’s journey




The moral hypocrisy of our society, as always, is strange to watch – happy in private to consume the sleazy content, whether film or written – but in public taking on the role of the righteous, whiter than white ! I think I connected with the film more than others would, thanks to my own literary journey, but still think it has enough legs to be a one time watch for most !

40 comments:

Sudheer Yadav said...

Super blog and nice movie review keep it up see more at http://guruofmovie.blogspot.in/

Anonymous said...

Given the gravity of the subject, it is in-depth. The psyche and dilemma of a writer torn apart between art and an explorative subject. People have lost naivete', the capacity to wonder about things.. Dear Mr. Writer, you have acquired a capacity to analyse..your distinctive take on modernity, awareness, innocence, philosophy..

Anonymous said...

There's an anthropological schema here- the more we become modern, the more we give importance to abstracrion or virtuality, the more we distance ourselves from the roots of life, from nature, the animal body, from simple and genuine emotions. The more we become complicated, artificial, in a new, more dangerous way. Am not at all against modernization... The desire for pleasure, wellbeing, wealth and commodities is natural and legitimate. The question is whether humanity has taken the right direction to satisfy this desire.. We all live for pleasure, desire for happiness and wellbeing. The problem is that life as it is, the nature of things as they are, do not allow us to be happy because we are fragile, subject to mortality, other people's violence etc... (Too much reasoning..and thus, the impossibility to believe or hope).. The speed at which we're moving and where we're going is unprecedented and it's going to get only weirder... I've read all the jeremiads about how we're losing deep reading.. In the future, i think books will go back to being what they perhaps were before the industrial revolution - luxury objects which you buy because you have a special attachment to them...

Anonymous said...

Listening to 'O saathi re...tere bina bhi...' From Mukadar ka Sikander. Sung by Kishore Kumar - kitna dard hai iss gaane mein...tarap raha ho jaise koi kissi ke liye...

Anonymous said...

Rim jhim girre sawan.... Been pouring cats n dogs since last night... Ek baar phir khwaabgah mein le gaye mujhe... Inaayat ke liye shukriya...

Anonymous said...

Still warming myself in the afterglow of that thought...have found means to find my own happiness...all by myself....

Anonymous said...

Every word spoken by Him is "GHAZAL"

Anonymous said...

Par har kissi ko mukammal jahan nahi milta....

Anonymous said...

Meri nazar se dekho to.... Every word spoken by Him is "GHAZAL"

Anonymous said...

Do you cry ? When was the last time you cried ? What brings tears to your eyes ?

Anonymous said...

Other than the core women in your life - wife, daughter, mother, sister, nani - Who or what has been the biggest influence in your life ?

Anonymous said...

He is a trifle taller than his writing makes him sound..

Anonymous said...

His zest for life and learning completely blows my mind. Probably the wisest person to walk this planet, (other than my maternal grandmother..)

Anonymous said...

What is your idea of a perfect Sunday ? What is your instant source of relaxation ?

Anonymous said...

Don't mind my endless questions... Before the chaos of the day inevitably creeps in, it is such a gift to just sit in stillness & tap into that internal wisdom.. I try to get up before the Sun rises and sit in silence and then i go for my daily walk, here i am my own boss... it helps me live an inspired life.. It helps me feel ready to take on my day with clarity, focus, love and intent....

Anonymous said...

His was a sonnet so sweet it made you laugh. And then laugh some more. Until it made you cry..

Anonymous said...

There was a reservoir of darkness in him that he churned into wit..imbued his character with a radiant humour..

Anonymous said...

My favorite hobby is to miss Him...

Anonymous said...

Better than the best.. Class apart..

Anonymous said...

Do you always get what you want ? In life ?

Anonymous said...

In this digital age typewriters are no where to be seen.. My nanaji used to have one... The idea that one could roll a blank sheet of paper into a typewriter and write something on it that other people would care to read challenged, intrigued, exhilarated me... I don't know what else motivated and sustained me through trying to write..

Anonymous said...

The key that has unlocked a door into the past fascinates me. I seem to feel it has some special personal significance, but I can't imagine what...

Anonymous said...

There is an expression called "the peak experience"- that which emotionally, nothing in your life transcends. I've had mine....

Anonymous said...

Salute to the forces..they are our real heroes..work tirelessly.. When calamity strikes, its they who make a difference. Selfless work.. be it floods, earthquake or terrorist attack..

Anonymous said...

Cries bring out the best and worst in people. Isn't that what we are born and trained to do ? How can one not ? A circular was sent to parents regarding the Kashmir situation.. Any sort of contribution is welcome : It was heartening to see even the tiny ones carrying brand new buckets, torches, utensils, woollen blankets and other non perishable items.. But the female Indian mentality of a few remains the same : 'Mera to menopause hai, phir bhi main doo... ?' Apparently, our dept had to donate one day's salary along with 2 big packets of a top brand sanitary napkins...

Anonymous said...

UB40 : Red Red Wine... There are days when solitude is a heady wine that intoxicates you with freedom. I love everything that is old, old friends, old times, old manners, old books, old wines, old movies (watching French Kiss...) There is widom in wine... Give me books, French wine, fruit, fine weather and a little music played out of doors by somebody I know...

Anonymous said...

He sounds deliciously dishy....

Anonymous said...

This one saw the light of the day !! Hurray

Anonymous said...

The Man With A Golden Heart..∆

Anonymous said...

Never be afraid to venture within the darkest recesses of your mind. It's not tidy, but an overwhelming honest place to be.....

Anonymous said...

That day didi looked stunning. She looks hot and she knows it too...black high heels making a clickety-clackety noise... Her movements seem slow, sensual, like a cat... I welcome her and get a whiff of her perfume... Her vision is clear and her goals focused and is quick in decision making... She is travelling Business class to Hongkong and then to Australia. .. Is my imagination working overtime or my brain has probably gone into sexual overdrive.. Am not holier-than-thou..

Anonymous said...

I often peep in the business class section that looks so comfortable and cozy compared to the economy class where we seem to be packed like sardines. I look longingly at the people who travel business class and think to myself that I will some day get there.. What if I had continued to work in the aviation industry ??

Anonymous said...

Am not holier-than-thou ... I meant myself..

Anonymous said...

Your wife has an awesome husband...

Anonymous said...

*******×o******×o *******×o******

Anonymous said...

I'd always had an idea that marriage was a bit of a wash-out, but I'd never dreamed that it demanded such frightful sacrifices from a woman....

Anonymous said...

He strings the stories like episodes. At times, logic slips off like satin lingerie and the climax leaves you wondering...

Anonymous said...

It has been my experience, that the normal person enjoys seeing his or her name in print. But was happier to see son's name in acknowledgement.(His Professor's book)... Is doing well and being appreciated for his hard word. Has become quite popular among peers.... At Symbiosis too, his team came second and won cash prize.. It led me to believe that publicity is what nearly everybody desires...

Anonymous said...

Have you been to the world's most glamorous castaway ? Seychelles... There are stories and myths that even the botanists haven't understood around the unique, gigantic love nut.. (Coco de Mer).. Sounds unbelievable but the locals believe that the Male tree rises on its roots during the full moon and treks across the forest to mate. And it takes 30 years for a female Coco de Mer tree to mature enough to produce the famed Seychelles Nut. That can weigh about 40 kgs ! Amazing world out there, no ? Gotto know while surfing one of the Animal/Discovery channels...

Anonymous said...

Magical Story Weaver, if I knew words enough, I could write the longest love letter in the world and never get tired.