Masoom

Most of us have grown up listening to Lakadi ki kathi – the best children's song that Bollywood has produced. Shekar Kapur's directorial debut Masoom (inspired by Eric Segal's Man, Woman and Child) is a sensitive masterpiece. A movie which touches your heart without any melodramatic gimmicks.

DK Malhotra (Naseeruddin Shah) is a successful Delhi architect with a happy family comprising of his lovely wife Indu (Shabana Azmi) and two sweet daughters Pinky (Urmila) and Minni (Ardhana). His picture perfect life is torn apart when he gets a letter from his old school master in Nainital, informing him about his illegitimate son Rahul (Jugal Hansraj) born out of his one night stand with Bhavana (Supriya Pathak). Bhavana, on her death bed had entrusted Rahul to the retired school master. DK confesses to his wife and their lives are shattered.

In the meantime, the schoolmaster sends Rahul to DK as he is unable to look after the boy. All hell breaks loose in DK's family. Rahul bonds well with Pinky and Minni. Indu is understandably hostile towards Rahul. Rahul tries his best to impress Indu. But she is unable to forget her husband's infidelity.

DK decides to send Rahul to the boarding school in Nainital, much against Rahul's wishes. The day before Rahul has to leave for Nainital, he gets to know that DK is his father. He runs away from the house and this brings about a change in Indu. Indu realizes Rahul's trauma and the movie ends in a happy note with Indu accepting Rahul.

The other people in the film include Chanda (Tanuja) as Indu's friend and Suri (Saeed Jaffery) and DK's friend and confidant.

Now with a story like this, the movie could have easily turned into a melodramatic tearjerker if it didn't have Gulzar as the writer and Shekar Kapur as the director. The screenplay is flawless, the emotions handled very delicately. The movie depicts the emotions of a child and an adult with wonderful sensibility and sensitivity. The internal turmoil in every character is handled in a sensitive and subtle manner.

Watch out for these amazing scenes -

• When DK tells Indu about the adultery
• Indu's birthday scenes
• Rahul, after knowing the truth says sorry to Indu
• Mini showing Indu Rahul's sketch book.

With impeccable actors like Naseeruddin Shah and Shabana Azmi, justice to the script is ensured. They are both mind blowing. The confusion and complex trauma that both their characters undergo are portrayed with perfection. Jugal Hansraj as the insecure, hapless kid is outstanding. He is so cute and innocent that your heart goes for him. Urmila and Ardhana enliven the screen with their chirpy presence.

Another winner in the movie is the music. RD Burman and Gulzar team up for a memorable musical score. Apart from Lakadi Ki kathi, there are three more songs. Tujh Se Naraz Nahin Zindagi has two versions sung Lata and Anup Ghosal – both versions are wonderful and apt. Do Naina is soft and soothing lullaby. Huzoor Is Kadar is a teasing ghazal.

Last word - a superlative movie which excels in all departments.