The Fascinating History That Made Shah Rukh Khan’s Mask In Jawan Possible
Shah Rukh Khan in a still from the movie. (Courtesy: Anirudh)
New Delhi:
Shah Rukh Khan’s Jawan is a film like no other. The movie has collected over Rs 850 crore (worldwide) within 12 days of its release. From the charismatic screen presence of Shah Rukh Khan to high-octane action sequences and chartbuster music, Jawan has ticked all the boxes. One of the much-talked elements of the Atlee directorial was the many avatars of Shah Rukh Khan. Be it the bald look or the bandage get-up, SRK has nailed each avatar with utmost perfection. Oh, and how can we forget the half-mask look of SRK’s Azad? A fan recently claimed that it was “copied” from the 2005 Tamil film Aparichit. Well, the Internet has yet another story behind Shah Rukh Khan’s fancy mask. According to The Paperclip, a digital media house, masks were a “statement of defiance against the rigid social hierarchy” that dominated the Venetian Republic. Since Jawan is also aimed at addressing societal disparities, it prompted the protagonist [Shah Rukh Khan’s Azad] to convey the message while wearing a mask.
Explaining how masks bridge social gaps and the significance of SRK’s look in Jawan, The Paperclip shared a series of tweets on X (formerly called Twitter). It also has a Javier Mascherano connection. Mascherano is an Argentine football coach.
If you’ve watched Jawan, did you notice that intriguing mask that hid half of @iamsrk‘s face? Ever pondered on how masks bridge social gaps?
And what does Argentine superstar Javier Mascherano have to do with this? Let’s take you to Venice to find the answers. 1/16 pic.twitter.com/E8qVXNKbl6— The Paperclip (@Paperclip_In) September 19, 2023
The Venetian love affair with masks reportedly dates back to the 13th century when these disguises made their debut. According to The Paperclip, “The allure of the Venetian masks, those enigmatic disguises that have graced the faces of Venetians for centuries have enchanted many. If you’ve wandered into a Venetian mask shop during the Carnival in Venice, you know exactly what we’re talking about.”
The allure of the Venetian masks, those enigmatic disguises that have graced the faces of Venetians for centuries have enchanted many. If you’ve wandered into a Venetian mask shop during the Carnival in Venice, you know exactly what we’re talking about. 2/16
— The Paperclip (@Paperclip_In) September 19, 2023
It continued, “For those unfamiliar, the city of Venice is more than just Gondolas. The Venetian love affair with masks dates back to the 13th century when these captivating disguises made their grand debut. But why did the people embrace these with such fervour?”
For those unfamiliar, the city of Venice is more than just Gondolas. The Venetian love affair with masks dates back to the 13th century when these captivating disguises made their grand debut. But why did the people embrace these with such fervor? 3/16 pic.twitter.com/gZfby5K5BW
— The Paperclip (@Paperclip_In) September 19, 2023
For Venetian people, masks were a “statement of defiance against the rigid social hierarchy that dominated the Venetian Republic.” In a city, where stark social disparities were at peak, masks gave rise to a “unique culture driven by the necessity to conceal one’s identity.”
It was more than just an aesthetic choice;it was a statement of defiance against the rigid social hierarchy that dominated the Venetian Republic. In a city marked by stark social disparities, it gave rise to a unique culture driven by the necessity to conceal one’s identity.4/17
— The Paperclip (@Paperclip_In) September 19, 2023
According to The Paperclip, because Jawan also aimed to address social disparities, the protagonist – Shah Rukh Khan’s Azad – conveyed the message wearing a mask. “In Venice, masks provided anonymity, enabling people to shed inhibitions and shame, and exercise freedom during the carnival,” the media house added.
Coincidentally, Atlee’s film also aimed to address societal disparities, prompting the protagonist to convey the message while wearing a mask. In Venice, masks provided anonymity, enabling people to shed inhibitions and shame, and exercise freedom during the carnival. 5/16 pic.twitter.com/IJtDiw74x8
— The Paperclip (@Paperclip_In) September 19, 2023
Masks allowed Venetians to “socialise and exchange cultural notes”, “bond with people from different backgrounds” and seek “love and intimacy in public spaces.” Under the guise of these mystical face coverings, “commoners, aristocrats, outcasts, prostitutes, and dancers all became equals.” The masks worked as a “great leveller, granting a sense of freedom and empowerment to anyone who dared to wear them.”
Masks enabled Venetians of all social classes to socialize and exchange cultural notes without challenging the outdated political system. They also promoted bonding among people from different backgrounds seeking love and intimacy in public spaces. 6/16
— The Paperclip (@Paperclip_In) September 19, 2023
Imagine a world where commoners, aristocrats, outcasts, prostitutes, and dancers could all become equals under the guise of a mask. These mystical face coverings were the great leveler, granting a sense of freedom and empowerment to anyone who dared to wear them. 7/16 pic.twitter.com/StOHWV1oCo
— The Paperclip (@Paperclip_In) September 19, 2023
Venetian masks come in a dazzling array of styles, each with its own rich history and cultural significance, the Paperclip said. From the enigmatic Volto to the haunting Plague Doctor, the iconic masks have found a space in modern urban culture, where they continue to shine.
Venetian masks come in a dazzling array of styles, each with its own rich history and cultural significance. 8/16
— The Paperclip (@Paperclip_In) September 19, 2023
From the enigmatic Volto to the haunting Plague Doctor, these iconic masks have transcended time, finding a new home in modern urban culture where they continue to shine in celebration. 9/16 pic.twitter.com/MON3S4xc8B
— The Paperclip (@Paperclip_In) September 19, 2023
According to The Paperclip, the half-silver mask Shah Rukh Khan wore in Jawan was likely “a variation of the Colombina mask, a la Phantom of the Opera, inspired by the namesake character from Commedia dell’arte.” This mask covers only the upper part of the face “because Colombina reportedly never wished to hide all her features.”
In the film, SRK wore a half-silver mask, likely a variation of the Colombina mask, à la Phantom of the Opera,inspired by the namesake character from Commedia dell’arte. This mask covers only the upper part of the face,as Colombina never wished to entirely hide her features.10/16 pic.twitter.com/TVJXUmspBY
— The Paperclip (@Paperclip_In) September 19, 2023
If the Bauta mask is concerned, it “erased gender and social boundaries.” The Bauta mask became a powerful political tool that erased class differences and stripped the elite of their power.
Distinct yet anonymous, the masks grant one the power to vanish amidst the masses. Think of the Bauta mask, a symbol that erased gender and social boundaries, making it a powerful political tool that erased class differences while stripping the elite of their power. 11/16 pic.twitter.com/ZZo54iTMfv
— The Paperclip (@Paperclip_In) September 19, 2023
“They brought about delightful ambiguity in self-expression, leaving both the government and the Church puzzled by sinners’ identities. Unintentional, but in the movie, a Venetian mask was a powerful choice to convey the message involving Dr Kafeel Khan’s incident,” the follow-up tweet read. FYI: Sanya Malhotra’s character Dr Eeram, who used to work at a government hospital before landing in jail, was inspired by the real-life story of Dr Kafeel Khan.
Those masks brought about delightful ambiguity in self-expression, leaving both the government and the Church puzzled by sinners’ identities. Unintentional, but in the movie, a Venetian mask was a powerful choice to convey the message involving Dr. Kafeel Khan’s incident. 12/16 pic.twitter.com/yOtSZnkZsF
— The Paperclip (@Paperclip_In) September 19, 2023
Just like every great story has its setbacks, the Venetian mask culture experienced “a dark period of decline for centuries.” When the Fascist Government temporarily shuttered mask shops in the 1930s, the legacy was on the brink of fading until a resurgence began in the 1980s.
“Going back to the medieval times, when the popularity of the masks soared in Venice, something magical happened, the mask-makers themselves rose from obscurity. Once a forgotten artisan clan in Italy, these skilled craftsmen and women gained newfound respect in society,” the digital media house reported.
Yet, every great story has its setbacks. The Venetian mask culture experienced a dark period of decline for centuries. In 1930, the Fascist Government temporarily shuttered mask shops. The legacy was on the brink of fading into history until a resurgence began in the 1980s. 13/16
— The Paperclip (@Paperclip_In) September 19, 2023
Going back to the medieval times, when the popularity of the masks soared in Venice, something magical happened – the mask-makers themselves rose from obscurity. Once a forgotten artisan clan in Italy, these skilled craftsmen and women gained newfound respect in society. 14/16
— The Paperclip (@Paperclip_In) September 19, 2023
It added, “They [artisan clan] became integral members of their communities, even having their own laws and enjoying social privileges during medieval times. As we celebrate the colourful history of Venetian masks, we can’t help but wonder about the descendants of those esteemed mask-makers.”
They became integral members of their communities, even having their own laws and enjoying social privileges during medieval times. As we celebrate the colorful history of Venetian masks, we can’t help but wonder about the descendants of those esteemed mask-makers. 15/16
— The Paperclip (@Paperclip_In) September 19, 2023
The thread concluded, “They were known as “mascherari.” A Hispanic friend once mentioned that the surname Mascherano in Argentina possibly traces back to those medieval Italian mask makers. And, Javier Alejandro Mascherano might just be one of the torchbearers of this fascinating legacy.”
They were known as “mascherari.” A Hispanic friend once mentioned that the surname Mascherano in Argentina possibly traces back to those medieval Italian mask makers. And, Javier Alejandro Mascherano might just be one of the torchbearers of this fascinating legacy. 16/16 pic.twitter.com/UgW3zZ2zyn
— The Paperclip (@Paperclip_In) September 19, 2023
Jawan was released on September 7. Nayanthara and Vijay Sethupathi were part of the film. Shah Rukh Khan’s Pathaan co-star Deepika Padukone made a special appearance in the film.
