The saga of human strength during trying times. Pinjar is the strength and hope that epitomizes the way many people responded to a brutal past. Based on the novel by veteran writer Amrita Pritam, the film takes history into an unexplored sphere. Puro is the symbol of undaunted strength and determination, filled with dreams and desires. She loved life and all it's small pleasures. And one incident forced her to face death slowly, but she derived inspiration and a reason to live because she couldn't see the plight of other women around her. Puro's mission and inner strength are very poignant nuances of the film. Her spirit and love breaks the shackles of mayhem and misery.

Much better than the usual Bollywood (5.0)

Excellent movie - it's not all song and dance. The musical numbers were appropriate for the scenes. This is a very emotional movie that really made me think about the constraints of the society - the limitations of women and the enormous pressure to uphold family honour, even when doing so brings harm to the innocent. This was also a movie about atonement - trying to make up for the wrongs that were done. It was also about forgiveness and acceptance. I watched it every day for the first four days after I received it.

Check it out. (4.0)

Another great film from a genre (India Pakistan Partition) that teeters on the cusp of being throughly worn out. So many films have been made on this topic that one may begin to think, "Oh, please not another Partition film.", but this one is quite refreshing with its creative story and directing/acting. You may or may not like the ending, but the sad topic of India and Pakistan's partition is one that makes it difficult to find happy endings. It simply isn't black and white and Pinjar does justice to the complexities of this subject.

Indian cinema at its finest (5.0)

A tense account of what happens to a young Hindu woman kidnapped by a Muslim in an act of family revenge, at the time of India's partition. Her struggles to find a reason to live and her evolving relationship with the kidnapper/husband unfold onscreen as traumatic political history unfolds around them. Intense, haunting and moving drama, excellent acting by the principals, great cinematography.

Urmila has been known more for her looks and dancing than her acting, and in this film she is given a fine opportunity to demonstrate her true talent. She is well-covered up from start to finish! I was really surprised at how great she was in this film, much as I like seeing SRK deliver an understated performance sometimes, as in Swades or Chak de India. Her husband is played by Manoj Bajpai, and his expressive face conveys so much in addition to his overall acting skills. You will not believe that you can feel this much compassion for a man who has kidnapped his wife.

Somehow Indian filmmaking steps up a notch when it deals with the era of the partition or the relations between Hindu and Musilm in later decades till today, and this is the latest achievement in cinema's attempts to convey the turbulence and trauma that this ongoing strife induces. The story in Pinjar captivates as it educates.

Pinjar is truly one of the best Indian movies I have seen.

Pinjar DVD (3.0)

Arrival--very timely
disappointed that the DVD has few skips in it.
I will try cleaning it & hopefully they are minor.

"Nothing For The Daughter" (5.0)

Note: Hindi with English subtitles.

An honest, poignant tale set in Pakistan just prior to the 1947 partition of Pakistan from India. Puro (Urmila Matondkar), a young Hindi girl is kidnapped shortly before her wedding by Rashid (Manoj Bajpai) a Muslim man from a neighboring village. The kidnapping is in retaliation of a wrong commited some years earlier.

In spite of the grief felt by Puro's family the Father refuses to go to the authorities and fight for her release. After all she is only a daughter, the cost of paying for help from a corrupt police force simply wasn't worth the money and the trouble it would cause between himself and the authorities as well as the local Hindu and Muslim communities. Thus Puro is left to make the best of it.

The hardships and disappointments suffered by Puro in her new life and marriage to Rashid become a micocosm of the larger problems facing the diverse community-at-large comprised of Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs. Problems that eventually lead to the partition of Pakistan which will forever end any chance Puro has to return to her family and the man she was supposed to wed.

In a surprising turn of events one final opportunity to return to her family presents itself through the generosity of Rashid and Puro must decide for herself where she truly belongs.

In recent years India has begun to produce some marvelous films. 'Pinjar' is not only one of the best, but it's also quite unique in its directorial approach. While there is music and dancing as in all Indian films it's much more melancholy in nature, reflecting the hopelessness and turmoil of the times. Also unlike most Bollywood films there is no mixing of genres, no moving back and forth between drama and comedy, between tears and slapstick. There is no diversion from the storyline, no relief from the harsh, heartbreaking reality unfolding before your eyes.

A near flawless production! Magnificent cinematography, haunting soundtrack and superb acting. Urmila Matondkar proves herself to be not only beautiful to look at but an incredibly gifted actress. Also brilliant performance by Manoj Bajpai