Producer: Lucy Star
Director: Dr. Chandraprakash Dwivedi
Cast: Urmila Matnodkar, Manoj Bajpai, Sanjay Suri, Priyanshu Chatterjee, Isha Kopikar
Music: Uttam Singh

Dr. Chandraprakash Dwivedi's debut film ‘Pinjar’ is based on Amrita Pritam's novel. He makes an honest effort to revive history in celluloid and also tries tremendously to put facts right. Produced by Lucky Star's Entertainment Ltd the film depicts riots, sufferings and hope. This adaptation is another example that Bollywood is coming of age.

The film reels back during the time of partition when owing to riots families were displaced, women were raped, and people were kidnapped because of communal and political tensions in the Indo-Pak border villages. Puro (Urmila Matondkar) is one such victim and after a tragic incident her life has changed forever. Rashid (Manoj Bajpai) has committed an unforgivable crime with her. She was supposed to be engaged to Ramchand (Sanjay Suri). But now Ramchand has lost everything, his family, his love and everything he had. The partitions riots have also changed the life of Laajo (Sandali Sinha) and Trilok (Priyanshu Chatterjee) who are married.

Dr. Chandraprakash Dwivedi creates the aura and ambience in the film that takes us back to the pre-independence era during the partition. He depicts things with such accuracy that they fit into the period very well. He has evoked characters who look real and has made them get into the skin of time. No doubt he chooses a difficult story and portraying it on screen is a Herculean task. He conveys the suffering and trauma while disclosing the story without commercial viability or being partial to any religion. He brings himself to the fore as an exceptional storyteller. His dialogues are also brilliant.

But the film reeling for more than 3 hours does test the patience of the viewers. The second half is lengthy and more taut editing is called for at this moment. Also the pace drops during these portions. But the climax is apt and is the best part of the enterprise. Uttam Singh’s music merges well with the narration. Cinematographer Santosh Thundiyil flourishes with the epic look of the film.

The artistes portrays brilliantly. They emote and act, which leaves an impact with you long after the film is over. Urmila Matondkar and Manoj Bajpai leave their mark in every screen frame. They look like real characters. This film is one of Urmila’s best in regard of performance. Manoj Bajpai fluidly gets into the skin of the character. Priyanshu is a revelation with his brilliant performance. Sanjay Suri excels with his part. Sandali Sinha looks capable. Isha Koppikar and Seema Biswas are wasted. Lillete Dubey and Kulbhushan Kharbanda are spontaneous.

‘Pinjar’ is for thoughtful cinegoer who like to watch period fares. Multiplexes and metros will benefit more out of the film due to its classy appeal. This is a film that is not worth a miss and keeping this factor into mind the audience should go to watch it.