A ‘Promising Future’ prize in Cannes should help this narratively challenged drama of two families trapped in the strictures of India’s rigid caste system. Jay Weissberg Anurag Kashyap’s assistant on “Gangs of Wasseypur” delivers a muddled feature debut with the narratively challenged “Masaan,” a heartfelt yet overambitious tale of class and gender inequality in contempo India. Set on the Ganges in the holy city of Benares, the pic (alternately titled “Fly Away Solo”) attempts to weave together two separate stories of people struggling to overcome societal pressures, but helmer Neeraj Ghaywan hasn’t found ways to overcome script and editing weaknesses, resulting in a disappointing drama that’s unable to realize the potential of the one truly interesting character. “Masaan” may fill a few slots at fests looking for indie Indie fare, though French co-production coin is unlikely to result in more than a limited Gallic release.

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