BEGUM JAAN

I am not sure if it would be right to say that Begum Jaan is Bollywood’s answer to Game of Thrones, because the brutality against women and savagery of suffering is  so overdone that it surpasses normal film watching. A Facebook friend claimed that the film is not for the faint hearted, well I would say it’s a bit difficult even on the strong hearted. Set in the era of partition of India and Pakistan, Begum Jaan is a story of a woman who defies the government against relocating her residence which falls on the line of partition. Begum Jaan happens to run a brothel in the outskirts of a certain town in the Punjab region. The director has tried to showcase the deep psychological and emotional suffering of prostitutes, which becomes far more savage with the incidence of partition and eviction of Begum Jaan and her brothel. So the deep suffering of the women working as prostitutes and their stature in society is further brutalized by their conviction to fight against authorities in not moving out of their property. The use of language and words typical to an Indian brothel is done in abundance and pomp with Vidya Balan delivering sharp lines in whore lingo, copiously. If that was not enough, there is free use of blood, death, fire and physical violence which will probably kill the faint hearted and leave others deeply disturbed. 

Most educated, dignified men brought up in environments which respect women, will think twice before touching a woman again. We understand brutality and violence against women is severe but this film creates an ugly and unbearable face of the whole issue that is deeply depressing. Vidya Balan’s talent lost its charm due to the narrative and storyline and the vicious one liners. Yes, maybe somewhere there is a certain sense of retribution to the issue of rape and molestation but if the expression and presentation too loose their dignity then it is almost abusive of the cause. Overdone, excessive and mentally penalizing, this film left me giddy and sombre.

Rating:  3/5