-
Begum Jaan
Critic reviews and ratings
-
Having Vidya in a film is an asset though. She is an audacious actor, who merits an extra half star for her ability to shoulder a film.
-
...is a compelling watch with a hard hitting narrative and bravura performances as its USPs.
-
This picture, though slightly low-budget, is more over-the-top, or bombastic, driven to much melodrama, in the interest of grabbing attention, and popular entertainment, as it were.
-
Borrowing the tropes of saas bahu soaps, this one includes frequent close-ups and dramatic dialogues, intensified with gimmicks such as a sudden gust of wind blowing through them locks or a situational turn in the weather.
-
...you feel sorry as Balan is badly let down by such an un-nuanced, un-layered, cliched approach to storytelling.
-
...leaves you with something to chew on and makes for a compelling watch, at least once.
-
The major hiccup in the film is its poor execution and the whole set up looks fabricated.
-
She (Vidya Balan) is phenomenally riveting no doubt, but the film that rests awkwardly on her shoulders is passable at best.
-
...has Vidya Balan in good form, but it lacks cohesiveness as a complete story. It shies away from delving deep into the theme, but you may appreciate its documentary-like treatment.
-
While the movie does get a lot of things right, it just lacks a little conviction in presenting its powerful ideas.
-
Asks pertinent questions subtly, but everything about it seems like it is for “effect”. None of it germane to a story.
-
Unfortunately, Vidya Balan who plays the title role cannot save the hopelessly predictable plot. The film is such a terrible, bloated and tastelessly overdone copy of the Shabana Azmi starrer Mandi (1983).
-
In its preoccupation with drama, Begum Jaan neglects to reveal its soul. As a consequence, you feel nothing for the characters, their cause or fate.
-
There is a strong feminist statement here, but unfortunately, it’s drowned out by all the noise.
-
...is a disappointingly loud and hectoring film, with few scenes that allow the cast to be nuanced in the portrayal of their characters.
-
There is nothing even Vidya Balan can do to make things interesting here when that happens. And we never get to know enough about the characters to identify with their sense of loss and longing.
-
...is a mostly faithful remake of his 2015 Bengali movie Rajkahini – which means that the sensationalist plot, overwrought storytelling, screechy acting and tabloid account of the Partition have made it across the language divide unchallenged.
-
...climbs up to a high-pitched melodramatic perch, and progresses in episodic lurches, never climbing down.
-
A plot that could have been a powerful eye opening metaphor on 'mata' (read women) and 'bharat mata' turns into a disturbing, over blown, deliberately hysterical and forcefully sensational misadaptation of the brilliant National award winning Bengali film Rajkahini.
-
...unsubtle and uninspiring.
-
...is shrill, shouts at the viewer in every frame. No wonder even perfectly fine actors end up overdoing things.
-
Begum Jaan’s intriguing basic concept deserves a writer who could have expanded on it to better effect. And the lovely Vidya Balan deserves better than this soulless film.
-
...could well have been a film about a fantastic bunch of feisty, disparate women taking on all odds, but alas. We're left only with memories of some melancholy bores.
Best and worst reviewed movies (Min. 5 reviews)
Best
-
Worst
-
Best
-
Worst
-
Best
-
Worst
-
Best
-
Worst
-
Best
-
Worst
-
Best