MASTRAM exposes the hypocrisy in our society and attempts to tell a very unusual tale. However, it fails to pack a punch and an abrupt ending could have been avoided. Also, it is promoted as an erotica but it’s hardly one. Thankfully, it’s a crisp narrative and is just 96 minutes long. Rahul Bagga gives a very fine performance and so does Tara Alisha Berry and the actor playing Mahesh and Purohit. The Himachali feel and background score add freshness to the film. All in all, a good one time watch!

My rating-*** out of 5!

Sonali Joshi Pitale (MID-DAY; April 5, 2014)

Sunil Bohra’s film, Mastram, was supposed to release on May 1 along with Rajinikanth’s Kochadaiiyaan. But now it has emerged that his film has been delayed by a week. Mastram will now release on May 9.

Last week, Bohra, who is the film’s producer, had said that he was okay with his film clashing with Rajini’s epic, but now he tells hitlist that his film is not yet ready for release. “I need more time to work on the film’s publicity. Also, its post-production work is taking time. I don’t want to compromise on my film; I’d rather release it a week later,” he says.

He asserts that he was not worried about taking on Rajini’s film. “That’s not the reason behind the film’s delay. It’s just that we are shooting a new promotional song this week. If I release my film on May 1, that leaves me with little time to promote the film and the song,” he explains.

With Mastram’s release being pushed ahead, only Super Nani and Purani Jeans will release alongside Rajini’s film on May 1. Bohra adds that he is now working on a new version of the Punjabi song, Baba Ve Kala Maror. The song will feature lead actors Rahul Bagga and Tara-Alisha Berry.