jahangirhussain74

I don't quite understand what is so special about this movie that it ended up doing a business of 330+ crores at the Indian box office and more worldwide. The story is very done to death and we all know it is a remake of the Korean film (A Moment to Remember) like most Mohit Suri movies are. So, bye bye originality! Performances are good and I must say that the newcomers do have a great chemistry which I have not experienced in Bollywood movies for a long time. However, the music which is always a highlight in Mohit Suri movies was quite average and is nothing to write home about. None of the songs stay with you after you walk out of the theater. I don't understand what is so great about this movie that it ended up making more money at the box office than let's say, Sitaare Zameen Par. This movie is definitely not something that is worth the money that it made at the box office. I seriously doubt the taste of the Indian audience who don't have a sense of a good and bad movie.

Begum Jaan works only because of Vidya Balan. As a performer, Vidya has never disappointed. Since her debut Parineeta, Vidya showed us why she's one versatile actor to watch out for. As Begum Jaan, Vidya gives the film her all. She's totally convincing as the owner of a brothel who's worldly wise and spouts philosophy at the drop of a hat. The only thing unconvincing about her appearance (and that's not entirely her fault!) is her unibrow. I don't understand why would the director ask Vidya to sport a unibrow while all the other girls in the brothel have perfectly shaped eyebrows. But that's just nitpicking in an otherwise brilliant performance. Now let's move on to the other aspect of this movie, I think it's the direction that falters the most. I never understood what the director is trying to tell us through this movie. He seems really confused about how to get his point through. There are a lot of scenes in the movie which don't seem to add to the actual plot of the movie. We never get to sympathise with Begum Jaan's plight to save her brothel. We know that she's emotionally attached to her house and that's about it. The time of The Partition was a tough one and we know that a lot of people were leaving their houses as they had no other choice. Then why would Begum Jaan try to challenge this movement at the cost of so many people's lives at her brothel? I mean, she's not the only one who is asked to leave her house at that time! Also, the background score seems too loud at some point and absolutely unnecessary at some. Talking about the supporting cast, I must say Vidya gets ample support from them. Gauahar Khan lends credibility to her role as Rubina, Begum's right hand woman. Pallavi Sharda also shines in some of the scenes. But the surprise package is Chunky Pandey in his never before seen evil avatar.

Overall, Begum Jaan could have been a much better film had the director put some thought on how to build up an engaging plot without unnecessary melodrama and sub plots. Still, it can only be enjoyed for Vidya and Vidya's performance only!