'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.

Nandita Das an underrated actor turned director with this film The film is a docu drama on aftermath of Gujarat Riots that shook the world in 2002, The film has an ensemble cast, with stories not connected to each other yet there have a bone of connection. There are multiple stories, like Mumbai Meri Jaan and such films One issue with the film is lack of subtitles during the Non Hindi dialogues like Gujarati.etc The film starts with dead bodies being dumped from a truck which really shocks you following an attempt by Nasser who plays a Muslim graveyard digger trying to attack the Hindu Deadbodies and he being stopped. We have Paresh Rawal-Dilip Joshi who are cunning businessmen who take advantage of the riots. His wife Deepti Naval is killed with guilt for not opening door to a Muslim women who was burnt down Their scenes are well handled. Then there is Naseeruddin Shah an aged Muslim poet who is oblivious to the current affairs while his servant Raghuvir Yadav is scared after the attacks. Nawzuddin Siddiqui and Shahana Goswami play a Muslim couple who go to their village and find their house burnt and looted on their return, while Sanjay Suri and Tisca Chopra play an interreligious couple who face the wrats.etc The film is well handled by Nandita Das with the end left open ended it moves you, shakes you,disturbs you. It may not appeal to all, though I found it to be too pro Muslims and anti Hindus, which could be avoided

Naseeruddin Shah is exceptional in his role, Raghuvir Yadav is perfect, Sanjay Suri is as always dependable, Tisca Chopra is perfect, Paresh Rawal is simply brilliant, Dilip Joshi too is good, Deepti Naval is awesome, Nawzuddin Siddiqui is simply outstanding, Shahana Goswami is brilliant, Rahul Singh and others are all perfect. In fact all performances deserve highest praise especially the child actor.

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.