silvan-desouza 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.

pvsavla This movie is worth its efforts to document the tragic events of 2002 riots in Gujarat, with the main personality behind this project being Nandita Das, who happens to be the director besides being one of the writers, definitely made this movie without having an eye at the box-office. The movie effectively portrays, people from various strata of society getting affected. Such communal riots are not new to India, although their frequency is gradually on decline since independence, but the mere concern to empathize with the victims through this project is laudable, irrespective of the trigger for the same being the burnt railway coach at Godhra. Whenever future generations wants to know and visualize about this incident, then this movie will definitely play an important role along with some other movies like Parzania on the same event.

advocategs Dear friends Hats off to Nandita Dass, I just can't imagine that it is her first movie as a director. The reality of the script and the way the movie has been directed is so amazing that you think that rather than sitting in the cinema hall you are just somewhere there in the movie watching it in real. As far as the acting is concerned what a cast N.Shah the legend of the Hindi film industry, Deepti Naval , Paresh Raval other legends along with the rest of the cast who just light up the screen with the magic of there presence and acting The story is so gripping that inspite of a break to take a call the moment i came back it immediately gripped me with a quality of realism which is very rare in films of any genre language country believe me the magic of the Director Cast and Crew has to be seen to be believed. The direction is so effortless and smooth it does not hit you but just engulfs you in its depth. Hats off to N. Dass the Director not that she is a bad actor. Must watch for lovers of parallel and serious cinema.

DICK STEEL If I were given a chance to give out an award during this festival, then Firaaq by Nandita Das would be my choice for the best film I've seen during the festival. And it's quite amazing in itself being a first film of the accomplished Indian actress, that it's laced with sensitivity while at the same time tackling some hard issues head on that deals with the deep rooted negative human condition of hate and violence.Set against the backdrop of the aftermath of the 2002 Gujarat riots between the Hindu and Muslim communities in Gujarat, India, it's an ensemble film with a myriad of characters in multiple story threads which involves a Muslim family who returns to their home only to find it burnt by rioters, of a mixed marriage couple who has to deal with their fears and decision to leave Gujarat for Delhi, of a woman who gets haunted by the ghosts of the incident, and punishes herself for her inaction, of a group of Muslim men all flustered and planning for revenge, of a young orphan wandering the streets, and the list goes on.In each of the threads, which for the most parts are independent of one another, Nandita Das weaves very moving stories and crafts very interesting characters to function within each story, either serving as a mouthpiece for keen observations, or highlighting very deep rooted fears. The film doesn't flinch from making harsh criticisms or statements through dialogues and interactions between characters, and Das manages to paint characters on both sides of the equation, some exhibiting bad behaviour even when confronting their prejudices or when confronted by their fears. If I could draw a parallel to an established film that Firaaq gets close to, then it will be Paul Haggis' Oscar winner Crash.One can imagine the human rights violations committed during the tense period, and it's quite natural to see how the outcome of such violations through the mob mentality, affect the common man even after the tumultuous period had passed over, because deep inside, we all know that some prejudice are hard to eradicate. I thought the story of Sameer and Anu was one of the most striking of the lot, and most enduring as well, though with each protection dished out by the wife, the husband feels more insecure about his manhood. Some of the most direct and pointed conversations happen when they are on screen, especially how one's inherent self-preservation mechanism kicks in and would go through anything as extreme as a name change to avoid another extreme such as being stripped to verify identities.The final act was actually quite chilling, and I felt it could cut either way, depending on your outlook. One, that it is of hope, that with the next generation lies opportunity to bury the past and forge a new future ahead filled with better understanding, and the appreciation that such violence should never occur again. On the other hand, it reminds of how impressionable a young mind is, and through the wandering within a camp, taking in the sights of the aftermath of atrocities committed, that the seeds of revenge could have been innately planted, and being ready for improper indoctrination for further atrocities to be committed, some time in the future. It's extremely difficult, but not impossible, to break the stranglehold that violence begets more violence.For a rookie director, I feel that Nandita Das has demonstrated that she has what it takes to join the illustrious ranks of female Indian directors in telling very mature stories through assured technique. Firaaq is a shining example, and I hope to see more of her directorial work again soon. Definitely a highly recommended movie in these troubled times of ours, to hold a mirror up against oneself, for some serious self-examination within.