Pinjar: Beyond Boundaries...

This movie was absolutely wonderful. The pre-partition time and culture has been recreated beautifully. Urmila has given yet another brilliant performance. What I truly admire about this movie is that it doesn't resort to Pakistan-bashing that is running rampant in movies like Gadar and LOC. With the partition as a backdrop, the movie does not divert to political issues or focus on violence or what is right and wrong. The movie always centers around the tragic story of Urmila's life. Her fragile relationship with Manoj Bajpai has been depicted excellently. The movie actually shows how the people, both Hindus and Muslims, have suffered from this partition. The theme that there is only one religion is truly prevalent in this film.

I tend to find most Indian movies based on the 1946-1947 riots that took place in Punjab during the partition to be extremely melodramatic, one-sided, preachy, pretentious and sometimes even mocking. Barely any of these films presented an impartial look or even tell a convincing story. Not so old examples include successful films like 'Gadar, Ek Prem Katha', 'Refugee' and 'Border'.

Then comes Dr. Chandra Prakash Dwivedi's jaw-dropping 'Pinjar: Beyond Boundaries...' based on Amrita Pritam's astounding novel. Not only does this poignant film depict an unbiased view on the segregation and its devastating effects on thousands of lives but it haunts the viewer (in a good way) as one continues to think about it.

Dwivedi beautifully tells the stories surrounding the theme. His depiction of other themes such as the harsh reality of women from that time, of honour being the most valuable possession of a man for which he is willing to sacrifice his innocent daughter, of redemption, persistence, forgiveness and courage are excellently put together.

'Pinjar: Beyond Boundaries...' is an exceptionally well made film. It looks pleasingly colourful without appearing glossy or artificial. Muneesh Sappel's art direction dazzles. The sets and costumes look authentic and the landscapes are stunning. Santosh Thundiiayil's cinematography and Ballu Saluja's editing are brilliant.

Uttam Singh's score is one of a kind. I love all of the songs. Not only are they beauteously visualized and choreographed but they never look out of place as they contribute to the story. Moreover Gulzar's poetry is magic as they bring a lyrical quality.

Each and every actor delivers one of their career best performances. Sanjay Suri, Priyanshu Chatterjee, Kulbushan Kharbanda, Seema Biswas, Lilette Dubey, Sandali Sinha, Farida Jalal, Pratima Kazmi and Alok Nath are remarkable. Dina Pathak and Isha Koppikar are highly effective in small roles. If I had to pick the best performances then easily two names pop in mind. Manoj Bajpai and Urmila Matondkar. While Bajpai is phenomenal in a complex role, Matondkar performs all guns blazing leading to a transcendent performance and one of the best female lead performances I have had the pleasure to witness in Indian cinema.

'Pinjar: Beyond Boundaries...' is a personal favourite. I don't think there are enough words for me to describe this movie treasure. I have already seen it multiple times and it keeps getting better with each viewing.

If you like movies with any sense and leave movies like Kal Ho Na Ho and Main Hoon Na for dodos then this is the movie for you. The movie shows the real plight suffered by the people from both side of the border during partition without being biased. There are no chest-thumping dialogues that make your blood boil. But instead it has sensible script that makes you think on whatever happened during partition was it really necessary.

All the cast has put a commendable performances. The director has done a stupendous job first by selecting a topic so volatile and then portraying it in such a beautiful way. Hats off SIR!!!!

Over all a fantastic movie!!!! Rating 9 out of 10.

PS: Here I would like to make a point to the people who make & watch movies like Kal Ho Na Ho, Main Hoon Na, Kaho Na Pyaar Hai. What are you trying to achieve by making & watching eye-candies that don't have any sense. Because of these kind of brainless and baseless movies, good movies like Pinjar goes unnoticed. I think its time for people to decide who deserves more credit Pinjar or Main Hoon Na?????

Pinjar is a genuinely good film, with great acting, good narrative, good presentation, touching emotions, etc.

It seems to me that the quality of films that Bollywood is producing is quite improving these days, and this film is one evidence.

No Bollywood movie that I can remember of made such an impact on me - I was literally thinking about the movie for hours - marvelling at the various emotional situations that test the human in a human.

The film rests on the great acting of Urmilla Matondkar, and also some from Manoj Bajpai. Urmilla plays a girl in North India in the background of the partition, and all troubles seem sweet if compared with the problems she happens to face.

A must-see film. A technically superior Bollywood product, which I feel is comparable to the best movies coming out of other countries in the world.

A very good adaptation of the novel by amrita pritam. Urmila and manoj bajpai have given their best.

there is a natural flair in the movie and i felt it right through. It looked like bollywood finally gave away it's glamor and had some quality artists performing on screen.

Content wise, the movie depicted very much what exactly happened during partition by showing the sufferings of a particular family and also shows that trust in one's life goes beyond religion.

The best part was they did not make it a drama with a lot of tear shedding and melodrama.

I simply loved it.