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Cult Classic 'Masoom': Empty Theaters to Sold-Out Shows
22 Aug
Summary
- Director's debut film 'Masoom' saw empty theaters on release.
- Black market ticket sellers confronted the director, who looked devastated.
- A surprising word-of-mouth success turned the film into a hit.
Shekhar Kapur's 1983 directorial debut, 'Masoom,' endured a tumultuous release, initially facing empty theaters and significant distributor concern. Kapur recounted arriving on opening day to find only two people in the cinema hall, including himself. The film's distributors were on the verge of withdrawing support due to the lack of audience.
Adding to the stressful situation, Kapur was confronted by angry black market ticket sellers who had bought tickets in bulk expecting a full house. They expressed their frustration, with one even advising him against making "article films," meaning artistic ones.
However, the situation dramatically shifted by Thursday of the same week. A single cinema hall filled up, followed by long queues over the weekend. The film, initially deemed an "article" or art film, was soon declared a hit, baffling Kapur with its sudden success.
This cult classic, starring Naseeruddin Shah and Shabana Azmi, is now considered a significant film in Bollywood history. Kapur is reportedly planning a sequel, "Masoom, the next generation," years after the original achieved its status.
