Mastram


Mastram is 2014 Indian Hindi-language fictional biography 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.
The film also marks the debut of actress Tara Alisha Berry.
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.
The film premiered at Mumbai Film Festival in October 2013, ahead of its theatrical release on 9 May 2014.

Plot

Rajaram, 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 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 masala until he meets Chacha, an eccentric, old village idiot who shows him the spicier side of life. He adopts the pseudonym of Mastram and churns out his publicly taboo novel series, which becomes a best selling book. He gets successful however all credits are attributed to Mastram not Rajaram.

Cast

According to Director Akhilesh Jaiswal, the film stars some of the finest actors from NSD and other theatre groups. The Film has been shot at several places in North India including Manali.

Production

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.

Critical reception

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.