Mastram (transl. Easy-going person) is 2014 Indian Hindi-language biographical film directed by Akhilesh Jaiswal, and starring Rahul Bagga and Tara Alisha Berry. The film is about an aspiring litterateur turning into an initially reluctant finally full-fledged pornographic writer, is inspired by the anonymous author of popular pulp fiction and sex stories in Hindi, only known as Mastram. These books sold at railway station stalls and small roadside and pavement shops in North India through the 1980s and 90s. Jaiswal makes his directorial debut with the film.[2][3][4] The film also marks the debut of actress Tara Alisha Berry.[5] The film features rapper Yo Yo Honey Singh's Gujarati Single "Achko Machko" and is also the theme song of the movie's trailer which was released on 14 Feb 2014 by Bohra Bros on YouTube.
| Mastram | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Akhilesh Jaiswal |
| Written by | Akhilesh Jaiswal Gunjan Saxena |
| Produced by | Sunil Bohra Sanjeev Singh Pal Ajay Rai |
| Starring | Rahul Bagga Tara Alisha Soul Balaji Vinod Nahardih Istiyak Khan Aakash Dahiya |
| Cinematography | Gavemic U. Ary |
| Edited by | Apurva Motiwale |
| Music by | Yo Yo Honey Singh, Saurabh Kalsi |
Production companies | Bohra Bros Productions Jar Pictures |
Release dates |
|
| Country | India |
| Language | Hindi |
| Budget | ₹6 crore[1] |
| Box office | est. ₹4.5 crore[1] |
The film premiered at Mumbai Film Festival in October 2013, ahead of its theatrical release on 9 May 2014.[2][6] Film got flop.
Plot edit
Rajaram is a small town bank clerk, who dreams of travelling to Delhi and becoming a reputed writer. His literature aspirations are supported by none except his naive wife, Renu. He finally leaves his job to become a full-time writer, but cannot find a publisher for his book. One publisher agrees only if he would add sensational elements or masala to his dull tale. He is unable to decode what masala means until he meets Chacha, an eccentric, old village womanizer who shows him the spicier side of life. He adopts the pseudonym, Mastram, and churns out his publicly taboo erotic novel series, which become best-sellers. He slowly starts becoming successful, however, all of the credit is attributed to "Mastram", not him.[7]
Cast edit
- Rahul Bagga as Rajaram
- Tara Alisha Berry as Renu
- Vinod Nahardih
- Istiyak Khan as Rajaram's friend
- Aakash Dahiya as Young Guy at printing press
- Aishwarya Mehta as Bhabhi (Maakhan's wife)
- Sagar
- Benieal.R
Crew edit
- Banner : Bohra Bros Productions
- Producer : Sanjiv Singh Pal | Ajay Rai
- Director : Akhilesh Jaiswal
- Music Director : Yo Yo Honey Singh
- Creative & Publicity Design : RDM Media
- Online Marketing : RDM Media
Filming edit
According to Director Akhilesh Jaiswal, the film stars some of the finest actors from NSD (National School of Drama) and other theatre groups. The Film has been shot at several places in North India including Manali.[8]
Production edit
Talking about the mystery in film, director Akhilesh Jaiswal says, "My film is a fictional account of the writer’s life. Even I am curious to know who the real brain behind the book is, or the real face behind the author, as you put it". It is not a pornographic film and he hopes to get an A Certificate from Censor Board without any cuts.[8]
Critical reception edit
Film critic Subhash K. Jha gave it 3 stars and said that Mastram brings a meditative melancholy to the porn writer's life. We get to meet the man behind the orgasms. We feel the pain beneath the porn.[9]
References edit
- ^ a b "Mastram - Movie - Box Office India". www.boxofficeindia.com.
- ^ a b Kanika Sharma (21 October 2013). "Sex stories and the Mastram effect". MiD DAY. Retrieved 17 February 2014.
- ^ "Mastram: The story behind pulp fiction". MTV, In.com. 13 February 2014. Archived from the original on 22 February 2014. Retrieved 17 February 2014.
- ^ "Gangs of Wasseypur writer to make directorial debut with Mastram". Hindustan Times. 8 April 2013. Archived from the original on 17 June 2013. Retrieved 17 February 2014.
- ^ "Sikander Kher's stepsister Tara makes Bollywood debut as porn-writer Mastram's wife". Indian Express. 13 May 2013. Retrieved 17 February 2014.
- ^ Hungama, Bollywood. "Mastram Movie: Review, Songs, Images, News, Videos Photos, Box Office, Release Date - Bollywood Hungama". Bollywood Hungama.
- ^ "How a clerk became erotica writer Mastram?". IANS. news.biharprabha.com. Retrieved 21 April 2014.
- ^ a b "Mastram is not a Pornographic Film says director Akhilesh Jaiswal". IANS. news.biharprabha.com. Retrieved 2 April 2014.
- ^ "Movie Review: Mastram is a wistful look at a porn-writer's life". IANS. news.biharprabha.com. Retrieved 9 May 2014.
