Captivating movie !

I enjoyed watching this film and would recommend other to give it a try , (as I am) but this movie, although enjoyable to watch due to the better than average acting fails to add anything new to its storyline that is all too familiar to these types of movies.

Very good movie overall, highly recommended. Most of the negative reviews don't have any merit and are all pollitically based. Give this movie a chance at least, and it might give you a different perspective.

One of the most extraordinary films you will see this year. Take that as you want.

This is not a compelling or convincing film by any standards It is extremely illogical.The opening sequence is truly remarkable. But that's about it.One expects a lot more from Vidya Balan and she's better. Swearing on screen has never mean a measure for acting. the film has language that is justified by the fact that these characters are prostitutes, but too much of anything will hurt the final product. The performances are loud. Agreed that they needed to scream and shout in certain scenes, but they do it for most part.My basic problem with the plot was that it made no sense. Several reviewers have raised this and so will I. Why couldn't they relocate? Why couldn't the line be drawn a few yards away? Even in the world of films and make believe, this is absurd. Even David Dhawan's illogical manages to put its pieces together!Direction is poor. So the director had a weak, illogical plot. He went ahead and added nothing to make it convincing. To give him some credit, I do believe that the original version directed by him is supposedly better.Another major sore thumb is Anu Malik's outdated and yet again plagiarized music (yes the song Prem mein Tohre is a note-by-note reincarnated version of Gore gore Chaand Se Mukh from the 1967 film Anita composed by Laximakant-Pyarelal). Some people never learn.Overall, the film fails on most counts. Watch it for that opening scene and then switch to another Vidya Balan film.

A complete waste of time! Frustrating. I wonder why Vidya Balan accepted this movie. And I saw it for her. It's a complete write off…on all fronts. There's no saving grace in it. Even Vidya Balan wasn't convincing in this. It looked as if she was shying away from playing the role to the T. I was missing Shabana Azmi in this role…she would have executed this with panache. This whole movie project is a write off from the word go. It has a weak script, the whole premise it's based is unconvincing at best. Some actors gave it their best shot…Chunky Pandey for one, the cop, the guy who's their man Friday. But it was a lost cause. Radio? Hell, they were using oil lamps everywhere…how the hell were they listening to a radio when it came there only by 1950? How the hell did they get so many guns? And limitless bullets. Let's keep all that aside for a while. Please tell me, why did they have to put up a fight? Why were they projected as rebel without a goal? There was no audience connect. I am surprised to see people commenting as Fantastic movie, Great movie, Great story etc. That's what motivated me to come and give the right perspective. All these fake reviews or marketing reviews are killing the authenticity of the whole effort. That's really not fair to the people looking for a recommendation.

The meaning of freedom is different for different people. This I can say is the essence of the movie. The movie touches many aspects of the Indian culture during the time of independence which has been excellently shown. The scenes are inter- woven into each other and present lucid continuity. Even though fictional, It presents a real picture with intense scenes and acting. The last 15 minutes takes viewers to another level.Finally to conclude, Begum Jaan deserves your watch and don't be muddled by the critic reviews.

An extremely disappointing film from Mr Srijit Mukherji. A low Second Class from a Presidencian ... extremely disappointing!The story and concept is strong, but the execution extremely weak. If it was not for the acting and characterization of the fabulous Ms Vidya Balan and most of the other cast, this film would be dreary, bland, and quite surprisingly, a big drag. The film's narrative was monochromatic, lacking in cinematic magic, depth, and speed, and the brusque and forced elements of unpredictability and sub-plots and side-stories completely unattached and apathetic.The liberal perspectives of a feminist (or humanist) standpoint against the backdrop of the angst of Partition could have been more intricately and passionately explored. The existential crises and the fears that were imposed on the affected people during Partition were nowhere in the film. In its dragging pace despite its misandrous histrionics, Begum Jaan shows no understanding of the agony and impasse afflicting those in its grip; in its preoccupation with staged flashes, Begum Jaan neglects revealing its soul and story. As a consequence, we feel nothing for the characters and their social standings.This film could have so well and cleverly explored the no-compromise zone of the 'kotha' inmates against the canvas of the Partition; but unfortunately it did not. Visual elements of "half-faces" were unnecessarily stretched to irritations. No wonder many in the theatre were frequently thumbing with their mobiles ... a sad irritation to all those behind them.Yes, there are scenes to shock and provoke, but they were like a handful of peppercorns in a tasteless tepid papaya soup. Didn't gel.And, oh yes, I'm not an expert, but were the dresses conforming to Punjab in the late 1940's? They looked more Awadhi/Lucknavi in style.Is there nothing to like? Ms Balan merits a 9+, as usual perhaps. Others too were good, would range between 8 and 9. For me, the film overall would not rate higher than a 6. I'm rating it 4 now just to balance the suspiciously high numbers who have rated it 10. IMHO, anyone who rates this film overall higher than 6.5 either has not watched the film, has some vested interest, or does not understand cinema. The film, as shown, was probably stretched an hour too long for its own good. That hour could have explored many many essential angles instead, for example, why was the 'kotha' under this specific Raja's patronage, and from when?