10 years of Masaan, film that gave us brilliantly restrained actor like Vicky Kaushal

India Today

4 days ago

Actor Vicky Kaushal's 'Masaan' (2015) established him as an unconventional actor with widespread relatability. Even though the film had a serious theme, Kaushal stood out for his grounded and nuanced portrayal as Deepak Kumar. His mannerisms and acting prowess appealed to the audiences, who appreciated his authenticity.Apart from being a groundbreaking film, the Neeraj Pandey directorial also set the bar for Kaushal's performances in his future projects. The presentation of issues like caste discrimination, patriarchy, misogyny and heartbreak in a society divided by orthodox norms was the core of 'Masaan'. These topics reflect on the relevance of the film and why it has aged well.advertisementHowever, a movie's impact is not just evaluated on the basis of pop-culture hysteria, critical acclamation or box office success, but also how it affects the actors' craft. The evolution of Kaushal, actors Shweta Tripathi and Richa Chadha post 'Masaan' is a testament to their artistic finesse and passion for cinema. As the indie film marks 10 years of its release, a glimpse into how it shaped Kaushal as a restrained actor.
Vicky Kaushal emerges as a promising talent'Masaan', which symbolises the crematorium, features Kaushal as Deepak, a civil engineering student at a polytechnic college in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India. The actor imbibes the character of a vulnerable youth struggling with his career while navigating love in a society divided by class struggles. He plays, with the utmost ease through subtle nuances, a young man from the marginalised Dom family involved in cremating dead bodies at Ghats for generations.Ghaywan doesn't make a social statement with 'Masaan' through long monologues or heated debates, but situations that throw light on the contemporary realities of modern India. Kaushal and Ghaywan strike a brilliant creative partnership in a movie where the holy city of Varanasi almost becomes a third character. Kaushal brings out the pain, anguish, intensity and playfulness of a young man who has loved and lost amid bearing the burden of societal bias. "Ye dard kahe khatm nahi hota..." - makes Deepak's pain alive even after 10 years. The actor doesn't speak or try to act like Deepak, he becomes Deepak. No other actor could've so naturally embraced a character both deeply relatable and largely overlooked by the media and pop culture. 'Masaan' did not just introduce Kaushal, it defined his potential and versatility.Watch trailer here: Vicky Kaushal's evolution post MasaanThe actor's intensity and range were further witnessed in director Anurag Kashyap's 'Raman Raghav 2.0' (2016). His transition from a simpleton to a ruthless, corrupt cop, addicted to substance abuse, who has no shame in exploiting women was a surprise to cinephiles. He once again won hearts with director Meghna Gulzar's 'Raazi' (2018), in which he was paired opposite Alia Bhatt. A film about an army officer from across the border who honours his wife's agency is still admired as the ultimate green-flag character. Kaushal's abilities, akin to a chameleon, when it comes to his craft, are what makes one think about how he has never let down his fans since 'Masaan'.advertisementThe actor, earlier known for grounded roles, became the ultimate rage with director Aditya Dhar's action-thriller 'Uri: The Surgical Strike' (2019). He played an Army Major in the movie based on the Indian Army's surgical strikes as a response to the 2016 Uri attack. Apart from his convincing acting skills as a military official, Kaushal also gave his best shot with regard to the action scenes and physical transformation for the role. He once again paid tribute to the Indian military with his nuanced performance in the biopic of India's first Field Marshal, Sam Manekshaw. The actor's complete shape-shifting as the legendary Field Marshal in 'Sam Bahadur' (2023) blurred the lines between the art and the artist. His instinctive reactions and body language make it one of his milestone performances.Redefining cinema and artistryKaushal's mental framework as an actor and passion for experimental storytelling has set him apart from his contemporaries who have featured in historicals and biopics. In 'Saradar Udham' (2022), the raw vulnerability of a lone soldier bringing revolution against imperialism was explored by the actor with extreme sincerity. Director Shoojit Sircar's vision of creating the inner turmoil and sensitivities of a revolutionary was amicably depicted by Kaushal.advertisementThe actor's acting capabilities have only aged like a fine-wine with every challenging role offered to him. Kaushal's portrayal of Maratha warrior king Chhatarpati Sambhaji Maharaj's bravery and leadership looked convincing in 'Chhaava' (2025).From 'Masaan' to 'Chhaava', Kaushal has redefined what it means to get into the skin of the character. The way he has surrendered to the craft has been reflected in his performances over the years.The actor would be a part of many diverse roles in his cinematic career, but 'Masaan' would be credited for the churning which moulded him into an impeccable performer.- EndsMust Watch
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