Review of Bollywood film — “Firaaq”means both separation and quest
Posted on March 21, 2009
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Actress Nandita Das, is not only a power house of talent at such a tender age but she is truly a classical beauty also known for her acclaimed performances in films like ‘Fire’, ‘Earth’, ‘Bawandar’, and now ‘Ramchand Pakistani’, is ready with her directorial debut film ‘FIRAAQ’ which is produced by Percept Picture Company and will release this October. The film has a whole range of accomplished actors, like Nasseruddin Shah, Paresh Rawal, Dipti Naval, Raghubir Yadav, Sanjay Suri and Tisca Chopra and some new talents like Shahana Goswami and Nowaz. Firaaq is an Urdu word that means both separation and quest. The film is a work of fiction, based on a thousand stories. Like this courageous and essential debut film, the word acknowledges divisions while pointing a way forward to hope.
 The story is set over a 24-hour period, one month after a carnage that took place in Gujarat, India, in 2002. It traces the emotional journeys of ordinary people- some who were victims, some perpetrators and some who chose to watch silently. As an ensemble film, it follows multiple narratives that are at times interconnected and at times discreet, yet all are united by their spatial and emotional context. A middle-class housewife closes the door on a woman desperately seeking refuge, and then struggles to overcome her guilt. The loyalty of two best friends is challenged in times rife with fear and suspicion. A group of victimized young men seek revenge as a way out of their helplessness and anger. A modern day Hindu-Muslim couple struggle between the survival instinct to hide their true identities and the desire to assert them. A boy, having lost most of his family in the riots, wanders through the streets searching for his missing father. A saintly musician clings on to his idealism until an evidence of civil strife shakes his faith.Through these characters we trace the ways in which violence impacts both inner and outer lives. Violence spares nobody. Yet in the midst of the madness, some find it in their hearts to sing hopeful songs for better times. Earlier also Bollywood has produced various  films on this subject like  Bombay one super duper hit featuring Manisha koirala.Â
Despite choosing such a heavy subject in her directorial debut film, actress Nandita Das has succeeded in handling it with utmost sensitivity and technical finesse. With an able technical support from India’s finest technicians such as cameraman Ravi K. Chandran (Ghajini, Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi) and editor Sreekar Prasad (Guru, Yuva) Nandita has managed to assemble and ensemble cast of talented actors which take the film to a completely different level. The stories are not exactly interwoven but do manage to strike a chord. Firaaq’s strength lies in focusing on ordinary Hindus and Muslims whose lives were affected by the riots. Nandita barely resorts to showing graphic violence on screen and it’s fear, anger and anxiety are all understated. Paresh Rawal in a serious role after a long time is a treat to watch. Sanjay Suri carries one of his most difficult roles with aplomb. Tisca playing his wife lends able support. Shahana Goswami post Rock On delivers yet another award worthy performance. But it is Naseeruddin Shah and Deepti Naval making a comeback on screen after a long gap whose performances linger on your mind long after the film is over. bFiraaq is not meant for the faint hearted or those seeking two hours of time pass. It shows us the uncomfortable truths and painful reality in which the people of our country must live, as they set about repairing the destroyed trust between two communities. – A very sentimental topic for Indians all over the globe.
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