Begum Jaan (2017)

Hindi 2 hrs 0 mins Action, Drama

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Critics Score

35%

Total Reviews: 32

User Score

38%

Total Votes: 8

Review Summary: 'Begum Jaan' is loud but tells an important story. The film helmed by the very talented Vidya Balan could have been memorable with less noise.

Average Critic Rating: (2.42)
Cast: Vidya Balan , Ila Arun , Gauahar Khan , Pallavi Sharda , Priyanka Setia , Ridheema Tiwary , Flora Saini , Raviza Chauhan , Poonam Rajput , Mishti Chakravorty , Gracy Goswami , Pitobash Tripathy , Sumit Nijhawan , Ashish Vidyarthi , Chunky Pandey , Rajit Kapoor , Vivek Mushran , Rajesh Sharma , Naseeruddin Shah
Director: Srijit Mukherji
Release Date: 14 Apr 2017
Est. Budget: 19.4 CR
Est. Box Office Collection: 20.0 CR

Plot: Vidya Balan plays the lead role of a brothel's madam, set in the backdrop of late Indian Independence period of 1947. Read more

Begum Jaan - Songs

O Re Kaharo

Aazaadiyan

Prem Mein Tohre

Begum Jaan - Top Reviews

The irony was lost on no one. I'm glad this effective film, on the same subject, is out in Indian theatres for audiences to sit (if not take a stand), and ponder over. In the words of Sahir, used well in this beautiful picture, "Woh subah kabhi toh aayegi."

Full review on Mid-Day

Mayank Shekhar, Mid-Day

A plot that could have turned into a powerful allegory turns shallow

Full review on Indian Express

Shubhra Gupta, Indian Express

Begum Jaan Just Doesn’t Make It To The See-Grade

Full review on Spot Boye

Khalid Mohamed, Spot Boye

In its preoccupation with drama, Begum Jaan neglects to reveal its soul

Full review on REDIFF

Sukanya Verma, REDIFF

In its preoccupation with drama, Begum Jaan neglects to reveal its soul

Full review on Rediff

Sukanya Verma, Rediff

We're left only with memories of some melancholy bores._x000D_

Full review on NDTV

Raja Sen, NDTV

She is phenomenally riveting no doubt, but the film that rests awkwardly on her shoulders is passable at best

Full review on NDTV

Saibal Chatterjee, NDTV

Begum Jaan chronicles the life inside a whorehouse set in the middle of the India-Pakistan border. Unfortunately, Vidya Balan who plays the title role cannot save the hopelessly predictable plot. The film is such a terrible, bloated and tastelessly overdone copy of the Shabana Azmi starrer Mandi (1983).

Full review on Now Running

Manisha Lakhne, Now Running

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Begum Jaan - All Reviews

If Vidya Balan is the showstopper of Begum Jaan, Gauahar Khan and Chunkey Pandey are her most worthy partners. Pandey as a cold blooded contract killer will remain in your memory for some time.

Full review on Hindustan Times

Rohit Vats, Hindustan Times

Vidya Balan’s Best Movie and Role in Five Years

Full review on India West

R.M. Vijayakar, India West

Vidya Balan’s powerful performance makes this partition drama watchable

Full review on Bollywood Life

Bollywood Life

Vidya Balan’s acting abilities crumble under the burden of this over dramatic mess

Full review on Yahoo!

Sreeju Sudhakaran, Yahoo!

Vidya Balan’s strong performance is not enough to save this melodramatic partition drama

Full review on India.Com

Sreeju Nair, India.Com

Vidya Balan leads a band of sex workers in this period drama, which loses steam because of its cluttered and heavy subtext

Full review on Gulf News

Manjusha Radhakrishnan, Gulf News

The film does try to add layers of love, loyalty and betrayal but the patchy narration and screenplay ruin the flow of the movie, leaving very little for sub plots to add to the climax.

Full review on Masala

Lokesh Dharmani, Masala

All sound and fury signifying nothing

Full review on The Hindu

NAMRATA JOSHI, The Hindu

Begum Jaan, is a film which might not be made for everybody, but should be watched by one and all.

Full review on Inuth

VINEETA KUMAR, Inuth

Begum Jaan is strong, inspiring, shocking, and more than anything — heart-wrenching. Don't forget to take your handkerchief (or tissues!) along.

Full review on First Post

Srijit Mukherji, First Post

On the whole, BEGUM JAAN has curiosity-value and shock-value, both. Despite minor hiccups, BEGUM JAAN is a compelling watch with a hard hitting narrative and bravura performances as its USPs. The moderate costing of the film should also ensure smooth sailing for its investors.

Full review on Oye Times

Kiran Arora, Oye Times

A history lesson delivered at top volume

Full review on Scroll.In

Nandini Ramnath, Scroll.In

Vidya Balan appears phenomenal as 'Begum'

Full review on News Nation

News Nation

When a top politician refers to Raveena Tandon’s character and says, “Aurat hai... kya kar legi (She’s a woman... what can she do?),” we know he will soon have to eat his words.

Full review on Bollywood.Com

Bollywood.Com

BEGUM JAAN Is Intolerable Over The Top Drama

Full review on Box Office Capsule

Box Office Capsule

Sir Cyril Radcliffe probably didn’t think about the misery the line, which was named after him that divided Indian and Pakistan after partition, would bring upon the people living closer to it.

Full review on Bollywood.Com

Bollywood.Com

कड़वी सच्चाई और बंगाल के सामाजिक मुद्दों को उठाती है 'बेगम जान'

Full review on Bhaskar

Bhaskar

But the actors retain the steam with their attention-grabbing acts, and it certainly deserves a watch.

Full review on BollywoodMantra

BollywoodMantra

Begum Jaan makes a lot of noise, cuts a lot of throats, but sucks up to kiddie-ideas of history and revolution

Full review on REDIFF

Sreehari Nair, REDIFF

समाज के मुंह पर करारा तमाचा है 'बेगम जान'