Firaaq (2009)

Redundant and unnecessary.

Awesome Movie

The film may be flawed, but its message is not.

It's easily one of the freshest, sharpest and most enjoyable films of this year.

Nandita Das has done a brilliant job with Firaaq.The film is set during the Gujarat riots and everything about it is as real as it gets. This is about people and relationships in the circumstances, rather than just another non documentary depiction of that abominable period.The sets, the people, the attitudes, the mannerisms, the well chosen cast, everything held the interest.Deepti Naval's scene where she puts a drop of hot oil on her forearm to atone for not saving a riot victim who came to her doorstep. Likewise when she befriends and tries to nurture the little boy who ran away from the camps to look for his missing father.Dilip Joshi as the unrepentant rapist - rioter was most believable. It was a bit of a shock seeing Jethalal of Taarak Mehta in this serious and horrifying role.Paresh Rawal was the superb actor that he always is. The smirk on his face after managing to extract money from the car owner even when he was in the wrong, and other scenes are excellent.Naseeruddin Shah, Nawazuddin, Tisca, all of them were excellent.This is a film well worth watching though perhaps not just before bedtime as it is grim viewing.Children should also be allowed to watch so that they may hopefully ensure that pogroms such as the Gujarat riots do not occur again.

Nandita Das an underrated actor turned director with this film The film is a docu drama on aftermath of Gujarat Riots that shook the world in 2002, The film has an ensemble cast, with stories not connected to each other yet there have a bone of connection. There are multiple stories, like Mumbai Meri Jaan and such films One issue with the film is lack of subtitles during the Non Hindi dialogues like Gujarati.etc The film starts with dead bodies being dumped from a truck which really shocks you following an attempt by Nasser who plays a Muslim graveyard digger trying to attack the Hindu Deadbodies and he being stopped. We have Paresh Rawal-Dilip Joshi who are cunning businessmen who take advantage of the riots. His wife Deepti Naval is killed with guilt for not opening door to a Muslim women who was burnt down Their scenes are well handled. Then there is Naseeruddin Shah an aged Muslim poet who is oblivious to the current affairs while his servant Raghuvir Yadav is scared after the attacks. Nawzuddin Siddiqui and Shahana Goswami play a Muslim couple who go to their village and find their house burnt and looted on their return, while Sanjay Suri and Tisca Chopra play an interreligious couple who face the wrats.etc The film is well handled by Nandita Das with the end left open ended it moves you, shakes you,disturbs you. It may not appeal to all, though I found it to be too pro Muslims and anti Hindus, which could be avoidedNaseeruddin Shah is exceptional in his role, Raghuvir Yadav is perfect, Sanjay Suri is as always dependable, Tisca Chopra is perfect, Paresh Rawal is simply brilliant, Dilip Joshi too is good, Deepti Naval is awesome, Nawzuddin Siddiqui is simply outstanding, Shahana Goswami is brilliant, Rahul Singh and others are all perfect. In fact all performances deserve highest praise especially the child actor.

With 'Firaaq' Nandita Das assumes a part behind the camera. She has chosen a very sensitive subject for her directorial debut. The film is a 'fictional' portrayal of the aftermaths of the riots in Gujrat that have lead to tragic consequences. 'Firaaq' very much reminded me of Haggis's crash in terms of telling multiple stories, the themes of prejudice and the connections between the stories but it is by no means a rip off. It is very much its own film that deals with subjects relevant in today's world. The stories are told like a collage. However, some could have benefited a little more with further development. I liked that not every single stories were linked directly and the connection does not feel forced. Das also uses plenty of subtle elements that give depth to the characters and add effect to the situations but at the same time some scenes appear a little preachy. 'Firaaq' is blessed with a host of talented actors. Deepti Naval tops the cast with a downplayed transcendent performance. Shahana Goswami and Raghuvir Yadav are first rate. Naseeruddin Shah is dependable. Sanjay Suri and Tisca Chopra are adequate. Paresh Rawal is quite hateful which is a welcome change from his usual overdone comedic roles. Nandita Das shows promise as a director and I believe that with more experience she will only become better. 'Firaaq' has been an interesting watch.

Excellent debut by Nandita Das in a different role. The true picture of what is happening around. Naseeruddin shah was just as good as we saw him 30 years ago. Excellent theme, and good direction. This one is truly a heart touching movie, and questions the today's generation about what is humanity. I could not see the entire movie.... overwhelming emotions. Set over a 24-hour period, the narrative jumps among multiple story arcs centering on Muslim and Hindi characters from various social classes. Bourgeois couple Sameer (Sanjay Suri) and Anu (Tisca Chopra) debate whether to flee the city; the devoted servant (Raghubir Yadav) of classical vocalist (Naseeruddin Shah) tries to keep grim reality from his beloved master; an abused wife (Deepti Naval) gains the courage to leave her bigoted husband; and henna artist Muneera (upcoming talent Shahana Goswami) suspects her best friend's husband of arson. Mostly melodramatic playing and simple production design wouldn't seem out of place on small screens. Low-budget tech package is serviceable. In all, a must watch!!!!!!!!!!