Pinjar (film)

Pinjar (English:The Skeleton) is a 2003 Indian period drama film directed by Chandraprakash Dwivedi. The movie is about the Hindu-Muslim problems during the partition of India. The film is based on a Punjabi novel of the same name, written by Amrita Pritam.[1] Urmila Matondkar, Manoj Bajpayee and Sanjay Suri are in the lead roles. Besides critical acclaim, the film also won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film on National Integration.

Pinjar
Directed byChandraprakash Dwivedi
Produced by20th Century Fox
Screenplay byChandraprakash Dwivedi
Story byAmrita Pritam
Based onPinjar
by Amrita Pritam
StarringUrmila Matondkar
Manoj Bajpayee
Sanjay Suri
Kulbhushan Kharbanda
Isha Koppikar
Farida Jalal
Sandali Sinha
Priyanshu Chatterjee
Music byUttam Singh
Gulzar (lyrics)
CinematographySantosh Thundiyil
Edited byBallu Saluja
Release date
  • 24 October 2003 (2003-10-24)
Running time
188 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageHindi
Punjabi

Plot

"Pinjar" is set in the time of the 1947 partition.

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, in order 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, Rashid's extended clan would slaughter everyone in their family. 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 to 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

Soundtrack
Pinjar
Soundtrack album by
Uttam Singh
Released31 August 2003 (2003-August-31)[2]
GenreFeature film soundtrack
Length50:57
LanguageHindi, Punjabi
LabelSaregama

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.[3]

Tracklist
No.TitleLyricsSinger(s)Length
1."Shaba Ni Shaba"GulzarUdit Narayan, Kavita Krishnamurthy & Sadhana Sargam05:40
2."Maar Udari"GulzarJaspinder Narula, Preeti Uttam, Amey Date & Nihar S.05:26
3."Haath Choote" (Duet)GulzarJagjit Singh & Preeti Uttam06:52
4."Vatna Ve"GulzarUttam Singh & Roop Kumar Rathod05:30
5."Darda Marya"GulzarWadali Brothers & Jaspinder Narula06:31
6."Charkha Chalati Maa"Amrita PritamPreeti Uttam04:56
7."Sita Ko Dekhe"Zehra NigahSuresh Wadkar & Sadhana Sargam03:10
8."Shabad"TraditionalPreeti Uttam03:36
9."Waris Shah Nu"Amrita PritamWadali Brothers & Preeti Uttam09:03
10."Haath Choote"GulzarJagjit Singh06:52
Total length:50:57

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."[4] 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".[5] 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."[6] 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."[7] 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."[8] 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."[9] 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."[10]

Awards
  • 2004: Filmfare Best Art Direction Award - Munish Sappal
  • 2004: National Film Award - Special Jury Award - Manoj Bajpai[11]
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References
  1. "Always Amrita, Always Pritam". Chandigarh. The Tribune. 5 November 2005. Retrieved 29 March 2012.
  2. "Pinjar - 2003 - Uttam Singh". Saavn.
  3. "Pinjar (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)". iTunes.
  4. "Pinjar is a must see". Rediff.
  5. "Pinjar: Beyond Boundaries". Variety.
  6. "Pinjra Movie Review". Glamsham.
  7. "Movie review: Pinjar starring Urmila Matondkar, Manoj Bajpai". India Today.
  8. "Pinjar Review by Taran Adarsh". Bollywood Hungama.
  9. "Pinjar Movie Review - Slow-paced, but brilliantly executed". Sify.
  10. "Pinjar Movie Review - Chitra Mahesh". The Hindu.
  11. "51st National Film Awards (PDF)" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 15 March 2012.
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