When a movie is made based on real incident, an attempt should be made to make it as true as possible; little bit of artistic freedom is allowed to make it commercial, but since this movie was not supposed to be a commercial movie, the narration should have stick to truth.. That's not the case here. This is a completely dishonest movie. The 2002 Godhra riots happened and this movie is about the aftermath. But the director has projected that the Hindus were sole reason that this riot happened. The movie started from dead bodies being picked up and put in a truck with lotus on grill, trying to impart the idea who was behind it. In that case, they should have showed how the train was burnt and many families were locked inside by Muslims and they all died.There are also many stereotypes drawn to show common Gujarati participated in the riots and indulged in rape and arsonry instead of the fringe elements responsible. It also conveniently detaches itself from how Muslims were also equally involved in Hindu killings.The movie could have been made better had there been unbias in it.Acting by Naseeruddin Shah, Paresh Rawal, his brother-in-law and Deepti Naval is worth mentioning. Couple of dialogues and scenes are touchy.

'Firaaq', made by first time film-maker Nandita Das on a limited budget, explores the aftermath of India's Hindu-Muslim riots of 2002. Specifically, it explores the complex ways in which members of a community that has committed an atrocity are more or less complicit in what has happened. The film works by telling five parallel stories, and crucially, they all occur once the main killing is over; what we see is how those who have survived deal with what has happened. In pure cinematic terms, it's not the most sophisticated film ever made, nor does it have the most intricate plot; but it's impressive how Das avoids the temptation to reduce her story to mainstream cliché; and thereby finds some insight into the darkest depths of human behaviour.

With 'Firaaq' Nandita Das assumes a part behind the camera. She has chosen a very sensitive subject for her directorial debut. The film is a 'fictional' portrayal of the aftermaths of the riots in Gujrat that have lead to tragic consequences. 'Firaaq' very much reminded me of Haggis's crash in terms of telling multiple stories, the themes of prejudice and the connections between the stories but it is by no means a rip off. It is very much its own film that deals with subjects relevant in today's world. The stories are told like a collage. However, some could have benefited a little more with further development. I liked that not every single stories were linked directly and the connection does not feel forced. Das also uses plenty of subtle elements that give depth to the characters and add effect to the situations but at the same time some scenes appear a little preachy. 'Firaaq' is blessed with a host of talented actors. Deepti Naval tops the cast with a downplayed transcendent performance. Shahana Goswami and Raghuvir Yadav are first rate. Naseeruddin Shah is dependable. Sanjay Suri and Tisca Chopra are adequate. Paresh Rawal is quite hateful which is a welcome change from his usual overdone comedic roles. Nandita Das shows promise as a director and I believe that with more experience she will only become better. 'Firaaq' has been an interesting watch.

This movie takes place in the aftermath of the 2002 Gujarat riots between Hindus and Muslims in which the majority of the deaths were Muslim. I saw this movie at the 2008 Toronto International Film Festival.It is difficult to make a movie dealing with such topics which would not be so unpleasant that people would be unable to sit through it. This movie succeeds by creating a good story and a number of very distinctive and fascinating characters. It not only has a serious message it's a very absorbing drama.There are a few story lines being juggled effectively here. You are taken into the home of a Muslim man in a mixed marriage, the burnt-out home of a Muslim widow and even the home of a man who actively participated in the atrocities. You'll see a group of young Muslim men who become fired up seeking revenge, although ultimately fail in unexpected comedic fashion. And most tragically you see an orphaned boy walking alone through the city.The movie is also hopeful. Late in the movie the Muslim man married to a Hindu woman, who had already admitted to being a coward, decides stop hiding behind his Hindu sounding name and declares his true religious identity to a hassling police officer. There are other examples of this same kind of hope.However the movie finishes with a dramatic warning. It ends on the face of the young boy who had been wandering the city. His innocent face fills the screen. The face is so benign, but his eyes had seen so much violence. It forces you to wonder what type of man this child will become. Then the screen goes black. I must admit I found the ending rather chilling.