This public link is valid for 7 days and shares a thread, including any personal information you added. This link or copies made by others cannot be deleted. If you share with third parties, their policies apply. Can’t copy the link right now. Try again later.
The Hindustan Times dismissed the film as a “confused” effort that could not decide whether it wanted to be a biography, an erotic story, or a meditation on the death of dreams. “First of all, all fans of Mastram planning a nostalgic visit to the theatres will be disappointed,” the review stated bluntly. “The movie falls short of an erotica you can enjoy”. The Indian Express echoed this sentiment, calling the film “much too banal” and criticizing the lack of authentic period recreation. News18 declared that the “imaginary biography of the writer of soft porn classics like Baniye ka Lollipop lacks colour,” also warning that viewers hoping for explicit “action” would be disappointed.
Note: This article covers the 2014 Hindi-language biographical film 'Mastram', not to be confused with the 2020 web series of the same name. mastram movie 2014
At its core, Mastram tells the fictionalized backstory of Rajaram, an aspiring writer living in 1980s Delhi. Rajaram, portrayed with nuance by actor Rahul Bagga, dreams of writing meaningful, high-concept literature. He wants to be respected, published, and read by intellectuals. However, the literary world repeatedly rejects his manuscripts, dismissing his work as unmarketable.
Upon its release in May 2014, Mastram received mixed to positive reviews from critics. While mainstream audiences expecting a purely scandalous sex-comedy were caught off guard by its arthouse, dramatic tone, critics praised the film for its honesty and world-building. This public link is valid for 7 days
: While "Mastram" becomes a national brand, Rajaram remains anonymous and broke. The credit for his genius—however lurid—belongs to a ghost, while the man himself faces paranoia as society's judgment looms. The Death of the Artist
Director Akhilesh Jaiswal, who had previously co-written the critically acclaimed Gangs of Wasseypur , did not approach the subject matter as a cheap gimmick. Instead, he treated the narrative with the dignity of a period piece. The film successfully captures the texture of Northern India in the 1980s—from the manual printing presses to the specific vernacular of the era. Can’t copy the link right now
Mastram was a modestly budgeted production that relied on talented character actors rather than mainstream stars. The film marked the directorial debut of Akhilesh Jaiswal, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Gunjan Saxena. Here’s a breakdown of the key personnel:
Verdict: A flawed, tender, and startlingly intelligent look at the man who taught small-town India to blush and read at the same time. It asks the uncomfortable question: What happens to the creator when the mask of "Mastram" becomes more real than the face underneath?
The movie hypothesizes that Mastram was not a single individual living in the metropolitan centers of Delhi or Mumbai, but rather a quiet, disillusioned clerk named Madhusudan (played with profound restraint by Rahul Bagga) living in the dusty, repressed lanes of Kanpur.
The film’s greatest strength is its lead actor. , in one of his earliest roles, delivers a powerhouse performance. He masterfully switches between two personas: the awkward, dreamy Rajaram and the confident, earthy Mastram. His physical transformation, dialogue delivery (in rustic Hindi), and ability to convey both shame and pride are exceptional.