Last updated: 8 May 2026


Hindi · Comedy, Musical, Romance
2h 30m · 15 Oct 1999
Music: Sandeep Chowta | DOP: Piyush Shah | Writer: Ramesh Khatkar, Vinod Ranganathan
Ratings
Our Rating
2.25
Kittu, a college student and an ardent fan of the film star Mallika, runs away from his home in Pune to Mumbai just to catch a glimpse of her. Fate brings them together when he finds work at a cafe near her house and eventually discovers that Mallika is a lonely woman controlled by her exploitative uncle. Kittu decides to rescue his idol from her gilded cage, leading to a journey of love and self-discovery.
Mast is a vibrant and stylized tribute to the magic of Indian cinema and the innocence of fandom. Ram Gopal Varma, known for his gritty underworld dramas, took a sharp turn with this film to create a colorful, musical fantasy. The first half is exceptionally energetic, capturing the protagonist's obsession through innovative camera angles and a fast-paced narrative. The transition from a fan's dream to a reality-based rescue mission in the second half is handled with a mix of whimsy and drama, though the pacing occasionally dips during the more conventional chase sequences.
The technical aspects of the film were ahead of its time. Piyush Shah's cinematography uses a saturated color palette and wide-angle lenses to create a dreamlike atmosphere that mirrors Kittu's perspective. The screenplay is relatively thin, focusing more on moments and emotions rather than complex plot twists, which makes the film feel like a long music video at times, but its sheer enthusiasm keeps the viewer engaged.
Sandeep Chowta's music and background score are the highlights of the production. The soundtrack was a massive hit, with songs like 'Ruki Ruki Thi Zindagi' and the title track 'Mast' becoming iconic for their fresh arrangements and youthful energy. The background score is equally experimental, using unconventional sounds to heighten the emotional beats of the story, making it one of the most memorable musical experiences of late 90s Bollywood.
Aftab Shivdasani: In his debut role, Aftab delivered a highly energetic and sincere performance, perfectly capturing the wide-eyed innocence of a star-struck fan.
Urmila Matondkar: Urmila looked ethereal and brought a sense of poise and melancholy to the role of a superstar trapped by her own fame.
Antara Mali: Made a notable debut as the feisty and supportive friend, showcasing strong screen presence.
Dalip Tahil: Effective as the antagonist, playing the controlling and greedy uncle with the right amount of menace.
Strengths
Weaknesses
Ram Gopal Varma showcased his versatility by stepping away from realism to embrace a musical-fantasy genre. His direction is characterized by bold visual choices and a focus on technical excellence, though the writing remains somewhat simplistic compared to his other works.
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| Award | Category | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Filmfare Awards | Best Male Debut | Aftab Shivdasani |
| Filmfare Awards | RD Burman Award for New Music Talent | Sandeep Chowta |
| Screen Awards | Most Promising Newcomer - Male | Aftab Shivdasani |
| Type | Value |
|---|---|
| Positive | 60% |
| Neutral | 25% |
| Negative | 15% |
Critics praised the film's technical brilliance, music, and Aftab's debut, but many felt the story was too slight to sustain a feature-length film. It received mixed to positive reviews upon release.
Final Box-Office Result
Mast released on 15 October 1999 (1999).
Mast is declared a FLOP at the box office.
Budget of Mast is approximately ₹6.5 Crore.
Mast is available on ZEE5. OTT date will be updated soon.
Mast directed by Ram Gopal Varma. Produced by Ram Gopal Varma, Bharat Shah.
Mast stars Aftab Shivdasani, Urmila Matondkar, Dalip Tahil, Smita Jaykar, Govind Namdeo.
Tollybo rates Mast 2.25/5. Verdict: FLOP.
Music for Mast composed by Sandeep Chowta.
Mast — Genre: Comedy, Musical, Romance, Runtime: 150 minutes, Language: Hindi.