Mast Mein Rehne Ka (2023) – Jinx Coolness’ Cinephile Website
4 min read
This whimsical slice of lifestyle dramedy follows Kamath, a smooth spoken suicidal loner and Parkash/Mrs. Handa, his not likely lover in criminal offense who’s also a politically incorrect Punjaban, as nicely as an formidable tailor named Nanhe who all achieve their respective breaking points at the exact same time, after tolerating all that lifestyle and the overbearing metropolis of Mumbai has to ‘offer’ to them, as a result producing a mutual obsession with breaking and coming into homes.
Neena Gupta and Jackie Shroff in a still from Mast Mein Rehne Ka
While this setup in truth seems strange on paper, author-director Vijay Maurya excels at promoting this strategy to viewers, with minor to no masala/melodrama still a lot of maturity and heart: Intricately weaving jointly a story of shattered dreams, and old behaviors that die out as new ones change them, all of which is set in an urban jungle that never ever sleeps nor allows its inhabitants slumber. The figures specifically grow on you and mature themselves as the film progresses- An occasion being Nanhe’s arc as we are released to him at first making an attempt to rise in rank or position, when also trying to find reform from harmful behaviors resulting from equally harmful situation, and hence in the method acquiring like in the quite metropolis that he’s developed to loathe.
The film also explores loneliness and how nearly every single personal, no matter of class or social standing is vulnerable or vulnerable to it, and scenes this sort of as a dialogue among Kamath and a law enforcement officer advising the aged male on getting additional social as a precautionary measure in a lonely environment, and specifically in a huge metropolis in which crack-ins and preying on the susceptible are commonplace, even more convey this concept efficiently. Maurya’s use of parallels is also commendable, with scenes this sort of as Nanhe crossing paths with Kamath (who is also a sufferer of the former’s quite a few theft tries) in multiple eventualities/venues, sooner or later constructing up to a enjoyable resolution that I won’t spoil for you below.
Abhishek Chauhan and Monika Panwar as Nanhe and Rawas
‘Mast Mein Rehne Ka’ also connects its unique figures by way of frequent motivations- Be it Nanhe, Kamath and Mrs Handa all inadvertently finding psychological attachments in a wide crowded, starless however star-studded town, and comparisons drawn among Nanhe’s employer, Bilkis and her dance troupe traveling to their star studded Dubai shows, all though Nanhe’s really like curiosity Rawas, a free of charge-spirited beggar who has hardly ever flown to Dubai herself chuckles over the rumours of Sheikhs who roam about with gold biscuits hidden up their Afghans (ahem, I necessarily mean Kaftans!). And a great deal like Rawas finds contentment in the more simple facets of everyday living, equally Kamath’s introverted dreams too prolong to just obtaining somebody to converse with, particularly somebody who will not shut him down or misconstrue him.
The advent of streaming platforms in India has surely allowed for a breather from the overexposure of the audience to mainstream stars who depend on regressive narratives, and this motion picture far too subverts expectations by casting lesser recognised actors or when recognized veterans who have been both sidelined because of to age, utilised as comedian relief or highlighted only in merchandise figures in the early 2000s, and who had been waiting in the wings for a comeback. Although Jackie Shroff may well have cemented himself as a contemporary pop society icon with his ‘environmental endeavours’ and with a comedic viral video showcasing him swearing in real blue Tapori/Mumbaikar style (this movie cleverly references the very same in a scene whereby the innocent-minded Kamath is taken aback by Mrs. Handa’s liberal use of expletives in public!), listed here his performing chops are the star of the present. The actor’s dog eyes absolutely had me in a chokehold and Shroff is nothing shorter of remarkable in conveying not only the character’s endearing nature but also the bleak heartbreak he carries within just, cursed to nurse it still from which he desperately seeks respite or an escape. The youthful Neena Gupta nevertheless yet again defies the tag of a Bollywood actress confined to a ‘fixed shelf life’ and is a deal with as the kindred spirit Mrs Handa who bubbles in excess of with an imperfectly best, often infectious candour. It was also refreshing to view both equally veteran actors paired opposite each other in age ideal roles and who participate in off each and every other in an organic and natural trend. Abhishek Chauhan and Monika Panwar (as Nanhe and Rawas respectively) also impress with their specific performances, confident screen presence and a charming chemistry. Rakhi Sawant features in the juicy function of Bilkis, a choreographer with a heart of gold and she specifically rocks it in her meta subplot/character which is an noticeable nuanced get on her off-display screen persona. Sawant oozes glam even in the kitschiest of costumes, and her comedian timing is also sure to tickle viewers silly. I, for a person wouldn’t head a spin-off on this charismatic, colourful character and her troupe!
Rakhi Sawant as Bilkis
Finally, the cinematography captures the soul of the metropolis with the riveting visuals of ‘Aamchi Mumbai’- Right after all, the city itself is the central character of ‘Mast Mein Rehne Ka’, and without its parks, footbridges, crowded shorelines, and so on, neither its ensemble nor their charming stories would ever feel comprehensive and interconnected.
If what you find is a movie peppered with chaos and clever jokes, that infuses lifetime into a planet which often feels lifeless to are living in with its comforting repartes among characters, as very well as many coronary heart to hearts and complete on really feel-fantastic vibes, then never miss out on out on ‘Mast Mein Rehne Ka’!
