Shekhar Kapur Reunites with A.R. Rahman for ‘Masoom: The New Generation’, Kaveri Kapur Joins Cast in Reimagined Classic
MUMBAI — Filmmaker Shekhar Kapur and Oscar-winning composer A.R. Rahman are set to reunite for Masoom: The New Generation, a contemporary reimagining inspired by Kapur’s acclaimed 1983 film Masoom, marking a significant creative collaboration between two long-standing artistic partners.
The new project will also see Kapur’s daughter, Kaveri Kapur, joining the ensemble cast, adding a personal dimension to the much-anticipated film, which is currently in pre-production.
Rahman will not only compose the music for the film but will also serve as a co-producer, further deepening his creative involvement in the project.
The collaboration marks another milestone in the long-standing partnership between Kapur and Rahman, who have previously worked together on projects including Elizabeth: The Golden Age, as well as the musical theatre productions Bombay Dreams and Why? The Musical.
Describing the new film, Kapur said Masoom: The New Generation revisits timeless themes of family, identity, love, and migration through a modern perspective while preserving the emotional depth of the original story.
“For a long time, I have felt that the themes of Masoom deserved to be revisited through the lens of today’s world,” Kapur said. “Families, relationships, identity — these ideas have evolved so much, and cinema must evolve with them.”
He also highlighted Rahman’s central role in shaping the project’s emotional tone.
“Rahman has always had the rare ability to create music that speaks directly to the soul of a story and its audience. Having him as both composer and creative partner on this journey makes it even more meaningful,” he added.
Rahman, in turn, said the project carries special emotional significance given his history with Kapur and the legacy of the original film.
“Working with Shekhar has always been a deeply enriching experience — he has been a mentor and a creative force in many ways,” Rahman said. “When he shared the vision for this film, I felt compelled to be involved beyond the music. There’s something timeless about Masoom, and reinterpreting that emotional world for a new generation feels both exciting and necessary.”
The film is expected to feature a strong ensemble cast, including Naseeruddin Shah, Shabana Azmi, Manoj Bajpayee, Nithya Menen, and Kaveri Kapur.
The original Masoom, released in 1983, starred Naseeruddin Shah and Shabana Azmi, alongside child actors Urmila Matondkar and Jugal Hansraj. The film is widely remembered for its emotional storytelling and iconic soundtrack, including evergreen songs such as “Tujhse Naraz Nahi Zindagi” and “Lakdi Ki Kathi.”
The new adaptation aims to reinterpret the beloved narrative for contemporary audiences while retaining the emotional core that made the original a classic of Indian cinema. A worldwide theatrical release is planned for 2026.
