Pinjar (film)

{{Infobox film

|name = Pinjar

|native_name =

|image = Pinjar film poster.jpg

|alt =

|caption =

|director = Chandraprakash Dwivedi

|producer = Lucky Star Entertainment

|writer =

|screenplay = Chandraprakash Dwivedi

|story = Amrita Pritam

|based_on = {{based on|Pinjar|Amrita Pritam}}

|narrator =

|starring = Urmila Matondkar
Manoj Bajpayee
Sanjay Suri
Kulbhushan Kharbanda
Isha Koppikar
Farida Jalal
Sandali Sinha
Priyanshu Chatterjee

|music = Uttam Singh
Gulzar (lyrics)

|cinematography = Santosh Thundiyil

|editing = Ballu Saluja

|studio = Lucky Star Entertainment

|distributor = 20th Century Fox{{cite web|title=Passage from India|website=Variety|date=3 February 2005|access-date=1 June 2022|url=https://variety.com/2005/film/markets-festivals/passage-from-india-1117917365/|archive-date=1 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220601135916/https://variety.com/2005/film/markets-festivals/passage-from-india-1117917365/|url-status=live}}

|released = {{film date|2003|10|24|df=yes}}

|runtime = 188 minutes

|country = India

|language = Hindi
Punjabi

|budget =

|gross =

}}

Pinjar ({{translation|The Cage}}) is a 2003 Indian Hindi-language historical drama film directed by Chandraprakash Dwivedi. The film revolves around the Hindu-Muslim problems during the partition of India and is based on a Punjabi novel of the same name, written by Amrita Pritam.{{cite news | url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2005/20051105/saturday/main1.htm | title=Always Amrita, Always Pritam | date=5 Nov 2005 | agency=The Tribune | access-date=29 March 2012 | location=Chandigarh | archive-date=6 January 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190106223148/https://www.tribuneindia.com/2005/20051105/saturday/main1.htm | url-status=live }} Urmila Matondkar, Manoj Bajpayee and Sanjay Suri portray the lead roles. Besides critical acclaim, the film also won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film on National Integration and the Special Jury Award for Bajpayee.

Plot

Set in the 1947 Partition of India, Puro is a young woman of Hindu background, who lives a happy, comfortable life with her family. She is engaged to a kind young man, Ramchand, who is from an upstanding family. While on an outing with her younger sister Rajjo, Puro is suddenly kidnapped by a mysterious man, Rashid. Rashid's family has an ancestral dispute with Puro's family. In the past, Puro's family had made Rashid's family homeless by taking over their property. Puro's uncle had even kidnapped Rashid's aunt and then released her after raping her. The task of exacting revenge is given to Rashid, and his family tells him to kidnap Puro, to settle the score.

Rashid goes through with the kidnapping but cannot bring himself to be cruel to Puro, since he is drawn to her. One night, Puro manages to escape and return to her parents. Her parents woefully turn away their daughter, explaining that if Puro were to stay, their family name will be tarnished because she spent days in a man's house and her younger sisters will never be able to get grooms. Even when Puro cries desperately that she is pure and untouched, her family does not open their door to her and heartbreakingly tell her to never come back there. Left with no support, Puro returns to Rashid who is well-aware of Puro's escape; he knew she wouldn't be let in by her parents and had been waiting for her nearby.

After a few months, Puro's family marries their son Trilok to Ramchand's younger sister, Lajjo, while Rajjo is married to Ramchand's cousin. Meanwhile, Rashid marries Puro, and they settle into an uneasy routine of husband and wife, during which time Puro becomes pregnant but miscarries.

The British colonialists leave India and the Subcontinent reels under the effects of the partition. Ramchand's uncle, cousin and Rajjo leave for India and are safe. Ramchand, his parents and Lajjo are caught in the riots. Ramchand hurriedly leaves for India with his younger sister and mother; his father is already missing. Shortly after, Lajjo is kidnapped by rioters. Puro meets Ramchand, who woefully tells her of Lajjo's situation. Puro finds Lajjo and helps her escape with Rashid's assistance. This incident brings Puro and Rashid closer, and Puro sees Rashid's loyalty towards her and his care for her family. They bring Lajjo to Lahore where Trilok and Ramchand come to receive her.

Trilok has a tearful reunion with Puro and explains to her that if she so chooses, she can start a new life, as Ramchand is ready to accept her even now. Puro surprises Trilok by refusing and saying that after everything that has happened, she is where she belongs. Ramchand responds with tremendous empathy to Puro, as he sees that she has accepted Rashid. Meanwhile, Rashid slowly tries to merge into the crowd, making it easier for Puro to leave with her family. He is heartbroken, as he is deeply in love with her, but wants her to be happy. However, Puro seeks Rashid out and the two tearfully bid Ramchand, Trilok, and Lajjo farewell forever.

Cast

Urmila Matondkar as Puro/Hamida
Manoj Bajpayee as Rashid
Sanjay Suri as Ramchand
Sandali Sinha as Laajo
Priyanshu Chatterjee as Trilok
Isha Koppikar as Rajjo
Lilette Dubey as Tara- Puro's mother
Kulbhushan Kharbanda as Mohanlal- Puro's father
Alok Nath as Shyamlal- Ramchand's father
Farida Jalal as Ramchand's mother
Seema Biswas as Pagli- Mad Woman
Dina Pathak as Rashid's aunt
Sudha Shivpuri as Rashid's mother
Pradeep Kuckreja as Hukamchand
Salima Raza as Hukamchand's wife
Ghulam Arif as Managing director
Rohitash Gaud as Rashid's brother
Saurabh Bavaliya as Laajo's cousin child
Niharika as Kamla
Savita Bajaj as Daai- Midwife
Parveena Bano as Rahim's wife

Soundtrack

{{Infobox album

| name = Pinjar

| type = soundtrack

| artist = Uttam Singh

| cover =

| alt =

| released = {{Start date|df=yes|2003|08|31}}{{cite web |url=https://www.saavn.com/s/album/hindi/Pinjar-2003/SnG4uGFlQVw_ |title=Pinjar - 2003 - Uttam Singh |date=24 October 2003 |publisher=Saavn |access-date=21 May 2018 |archive-date=22 May 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180522111155/https://www.saavn.com/s/album/hindi/Pinjar-2003/SnG4uGFlQVw_ |url-status=live }}

| recorded =

| venue =

| studio =

| genre = Feature film soundtrack

| length = 50:57

| language = Hindi, Punjabi

| label = Saregama

| producer =

| prev_title =

| prev_year =

| next_title =

| next_year =

}}

All of the tracks were composed by Uttam Singh, with lyrics by Gulzar. Tracks "Charkha Chalati Maa" and "Waris Shah Nu" lyrics by Amrita Pritam.{{cite web |url=https://music.apple.com/ca/album/pinjar-original-motion-picture-soundtrack/1329124426 |title=Pinjar (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) |publisher=iTunes |access-date=21 May 2018 |archive-date=21 May 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180521191506/https://itunes.apple.com/ca/album/pinjar-original-motion-picture-soundtrack/1329124426 |url-status=live }}

{{Track listing

| headline = Tracklist

| extra_column = Singer(s)

| total_length = {{Duration|m=50|s=57}}

| title1 = Shaba Ni Shaba

| extra1 = Udit Narayan, Kavita Krishnamurthy & Sadhana Sargam

| lyrics1 = Gulzar

| length1 = 05:40

| title2 = Maar Udari

| extra2 = Jaspinder Narula, Preeti Uttam, Amey Date & Nihar S.

| lyrics2 = Gulzar

| length2 = 05:26

| title3 = Haath Choote

| note3 = Duet

| extra3 = Jagjit Singh & Preeti Uttam

| lyrics3 = Gulzar

| length3 = 06:52

| title4 = Vatna Ve

| extra4 = Uttam Singh & Roop Kumar Rathod

| lyrics4 = Gulzar

| length4 = 05:30

| title5 = Darda Marya

| extra5 = Wadali Brothers & Jaspinder Narula

| lyrics5 = Gulzar

| length5 = 06:31

| title6 = Charkha Chalati Maa

| extra6 = Preeti Uttam

| lyrics6 = Amrita Pritam

| length6 = 04:56

| title7 = Sita Ko Dekhe

| extra7 = Suresh Wadkar & Sadhana Sargam

| lyrics7 = Zehra Nigah

| length7 = 03:10

| title8 = Shabad

| extra8 = Preeti Uttam

| lyrics8 = Traditional

| length8 = 03:36

| title9 = Waris Shah Nu

| extra9 = Wadali Brothers & Preeti Uttam

| lyrics9 = Amrita Pritam

| length9 = 09:03

| title10 = Haath Choote

| extra10 = Jagjit Singh

| lyrics10 = Gulzar

| length10 = 06:52

}}

Critical reception

Amberish K Diwanji of Rediff praised the acting performances of Urmila Matondkar, Priyanshu Chatterjee, Manoj Bajpai and the art direction of Muneesh Sappel but criticized the climax of the film. The critic gave the film a rating of 4 out of 5 saying that, "Pinjar is a must-see. Don't miss it."{{cite web |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2003/oct/23pinjar.htm |title=Pinjar is a must see |publisher=Rediff |access-date=21 May 2018 |archive-date=4 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150504162956/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2003/oct/23pinjar.htm |url-status=live }}{{Rating|4|5}} Derek Elley of Variety reviewed the film saying that, "A handsomely shot drama centered on a Hindu woman's travails during the 1947 Partition, "Pinjar" ranks as one of the better Bollywood treatments of this still hot-button issue. Good performances, especially by lead actress Urmila Matondkar and by Manoj Bajpai as her Muslim partner, compensate for a slightly wobbly structure".{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2004/film/reviews/pinjar-beyond-boundaries-1200534023/ |title=Pinjar: Beyond Boundaries |date=14 April 2004 |publisher=Variety |access-date=19 June 2018 |archive-date=6 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180706215041/https://variety.com/2004/film/reviews/pinjar-beyond-boundaries-1200534023/ |url-status=live }} Kshama Rao of Glamsham said that, "The music (Uttam Singh), the painstaking research (Muneesh Sappel) that has gone into the costumes and set designs is remarkable. Last but not the least, Dr Dwivedi almost had a winner on hand if he had not taken too long to build up the drama."{{cite web |url=http://www.glamsham.com/movies/reviews/pinjar.asp |title=Pinjra Movie Review |publisher=Glamsham |access-date=21 May 2018 |archive-date=22 May 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180522041421/http://www.glamsham.com/movies/reviews/pinjar.asp |url-status=live }} Anupama Chopra of India Today said that, "While Matondkar struggles to rise above her natural artifice Manoj Bajpai is superb as the angst-ridden Muslim abductor. But the sweat and hard work is stunted by the screenplay. Finally, what could have been a great film remains only a commendable effort."{{cite web |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/your-week/story/20031110-film-review-of-chandraprakash-dwivedi-pinjar-791897-2003-11-10 |title=Movie review: Pinjar starring Urmila Matondkar, Manoj Bajpai |date=10 November 2003 |publisher=India Today |access-date=21 May 2018 |archive-date=22 May 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180522041534/https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/your-week/story/20031110-film-review-of-chandraprakash-dwivedi-pinjar-791897-2003-11-10 |url-status=live }} Taran Adarsh of Bollywood Hungama praised the performances of Urmila Matondkar and Manoj Bajpai but criticized the long length of the movie and its slow pace specially towards the climax. The critic gave the film a rating of 3 out of 5 saying that, "On the whole, PINJAR caters more to the thinking audience. Also, it’s for those who like period fares."{{cite web |url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movie/pinjar/critic-review/pinjar-movie-review/ |title=Pinjar Review by Taran Adarsh |website=Bollywood Hungama |date=24 October 2003 |access-date=3 July 2023 |archive-date=13 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230713191249/https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movie/pinjar/critic-review/pinjar-movie-review/ |url-status=live }}{{Rating|3|5}} Kunal Shah of Sify gave the film a rating of 2 out of 5 saying that, "Overall, the film is brilliantly executed and handled with utmost sensitivity but its length is one factor, which might affect its prospects in the long run."{{cite web|url=http://www.sify.com/movies/slow-paced-but-brilliantly-executed-review-bollywood-pclvwkicjaehd.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180522041359/http://www.sify.com/movies/slow-paced-but-brilliantly-executed-review-bollywood-pclvwkicjaehd.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=22 May 2018 |title=Pinjar Movie Review - Slow-paced, but brilliantly executed |website=Sify}}{{Rating|2|5}} Chitra Mahesh of The Hindu praised the acting performances but criticized the pacing of the film which she found slow and in conclusion said that, "one cannot help admiring the way he(The Director) has put together a team that has brought out such a visually, beautiful film."{{cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/fr/2003/10/31/stories/2003103101210203.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031208174638/http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/fr/2003/10/31/stories/2003103101210203.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=2003-12-08 |work=The Hindu |title=Pinjar Movie Review - Chitra Mahesh }}

Awards

2004: Filmfare Best Art Direction Award - Munish Sappal
2004: National Film Award - Special Jury Award - Manoj Bajpai{{cite web|url=http://dff.nic.in/2011/51st_nff_2004.pdf|title=51st National Film Awards (PDF)|publisher=Directorate of Film Festivals|access-date=15 March 2012|archive-date=3 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303234942/http://dff.nic.in/2011/51st_nff_2004.pdf|url-status=live}}