Naseem (film)

Naseem is a 1995 Hindi-language Indian feature film directed by Saeed Akhtar Mirza. It explores the perspective of a 16-year-old schoolgirl, Naseem (played by Mayuri Kango), living in Bombay during the politically charged months leading up to the demolition of the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya in December 1992.

The film portrays the changing social and political landscape through Naseem's interactions with her family, friends, and particularly her ailing grandfather, a freedom fighter and a man deeply rooted in the values of secularism and communal harmony. The grandfather, played by Kaifi Azmi, serves as a moral compass, sharing stories of a more tolerant past and lamenting the rising tide of religious extremism.

Naseem is notable for its sensitive portrayal of intergenerational relationships and its nuanced examination of the impact of political events on ordinary people. The film avoids simplistic narratives and instead focuses on the emotional turmoil and anxieties experienced by Naseem and her family as communal tensions escalate. The grandfather's declining health serves as a metaphor for the erosion of secular values in Indian society.

The film received critical acclaim for its direction, screenplay, and performances. It won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi in 1996.