This story has more twists and turns than a second-rate soap opera.

While it is a pity that the story wasn't told with more visual finesse, this is trivial compared to our real-world problems. It takes a good movie to put that into perspective.

Like the great film, it's made with a great deal of visible affection both in front of and behind the camera.

The movie's not perfect, but it sticks the landing of its message. It was engaging - thrilling at times - and I personally thought it was a great time.

A strongly written and well-thought script that shows partition vows with a very different and unique angle. Barring the irrelevant noisiness of some characters, it's a well directed and acted movie. Vidya Balan along with other characters like Gauhar Khan, Chunky Pandey, Sumit Nijhawan and Ila Arun were brilliant.Storyline Rating: 4Acting Rating: 3 Vidya Balan: 3 Gauhar Khan: 3 Chunky Pandey: 4 Sumit Nijhawan: 4 Ila Arun: 3 Naseeruddin Shah: 3 Pallavi Sharda: 2 Ashish Vidyarthi: 3 Vivek Mushran: 2 Rajit Kapoor: 3Direction Rating: 3Music Rating: 3Cinematography: 3Editing: 3

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.

OK, we think of a Movie, movie based on feminism, Movie starring A Phenomenal actress like Vidya Balan. Movie which is based on a sensitive event like the partition, The first thing which comes in mind is... OK, we'll go for it.. But when we go and watch a nonsense going on in front of you, it's quite irkingPlot line is simple... Story of 11 prostitutes, one abused girl, one small kid, one old lady, one loyal pimp, one honest ex cop and one school master They live and spend majority of their time In a Brothel.. after the events of partition, they are asked to evacuate, but they refuse. It causes a soft, at times hard conflict between the prostitutes and the govt.Pros:1. Vidya Balan's amazing performance 2. Re introduction of amazing actors like Ashish Vidyarthi, Ila Arun, Chunky Pandey & Pitobash Tripathy 3. Bollywood debut of one of my favorite directors, Srijit Mukherjee (Autograph fame)Cons:1. Too Many irrelevant characters 2. Too much darkness 3. Too predictable 4. Full of absurdity 5. Failed attempt to bring tears in audiences' eyes 6. Portrayal of a negative image of feminism 7. Many unnecessary dialogues and R-Rated language 8. Tag line might create misconceptions amongst young ladiesRecently, we saw many Hindi movies on women empowerment like Dangal, Pink and naam Shabana.. amongst them Dangal was the best and Pink was second...Naam Shabana was quite a stupid movie (when compared to it's predecessor "Baby") but still not as pathetic as Begum jaanTruly, I wasn't interested in giving this movie a single star. But that single star is for the amazing performances by Chunky Pandey and Vidya Balan.If you ask me, I'll say, save your money for Bahubali: the conclusion. Don't waste your hard earned money and time on this trashMy review: begum jaan - Avoidable

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?