Shekhar Kapur Reflects on Masoom Questions Creative Freedom in Today’s Cinema

Veteran filmmaker Shekhar Kapur has sparked a thoughtful conversation about creativity in cinema after sharing a nostalgic yet pointed reflection on his debut film Masoom. The director took to social media to revisit the making of the 1983 classic, drawing a sharp contrast between the artistic freedom of the past and the structured systems of today’s filmmaking process.

Here’s exactly what Shekhar Kapur shared: “Masoom was my first film. I had not studied film, nor assisted anyone. I just wanted to tell a story and made the film with the best actors and my own intuition. And no one even tried to tell me what to do. I hear now there’s a committee that sits on the Director’s creativity. So what happens to the filmmakers intuition now? #Masoom #creativiy #Masoom2”

Kapur’s reflections highlight how Masoom was born purely out of instinct and passion, without the influence of formal training or industry gatekeeping. The film, which starred Naseeruddin Shah and Shabana Azmi, went on to become a timeless classic, celebrated for its emotional depth and honest storytelling.

By revisiting his early experience, Kapur raises a larger question about the current state of filmmaking. His mention of “committees” influencing creative decisions reflects a growing concern among filmmakers about excessive oversight, studio pressures, and the diminishing space for raw intuition in storytelling.

The timing of his post is also significant, as it comes amid ongoing discussions about evolving filmmaking tools, including the rise of AI and structured development processes. Kapur’s words suggest a longing for a time when directors could rely more on instinct than approvals, and when storytelling was driven by vision rather than consensus.

Interestingly, his use of the hashtag #Masoom2 has reignited curiosity around the long-awaited sequel to the beloved film. While details remain under wraps, fans are hopeful that the same emotional authenticity that defined the original will carry forward into the new chapter.

As the debate around creativity versus control continues, Shekhar Kapur’s reflection serves as a reminder of cinema’s most powerful ingredient—intuition. In an era of increasing structure, his words echo a simple yet profound question: can true storytelling thrive without creative freedom?

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