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Firaaq Review (2009) — 70% Celluloid Score

Directed by Nandita Das · 2009 ·

Short answer

Is Firaaq worth watching?

Yes. Firaaq (2009) earns a 70% Celluloid Score. That puts it in our Recommended tier. Critics (86%) were notably more enthusiastic than audiences (78%). See the 4 inputs.

70%
Celluloid Score Recommended

4-input transparent breakdown

86% Editorial Rating
78% Audience snapshot · excluded
72 Metascore
★★★½☆ Letterboxd 3.6
7.3 IMDb /10
0
Released
Runtime
1h 41m
Age rating
U/A 16+ (India) · R (Canada)
Cast
Naseeruddin Shah , Paresh Rawal , Inaamulhaq , Nassar , Shahana Goswami , Nawazuddin Siddiqui , Honey Chhaya , Deepti Naval , Dilip Joshi , Kavan Antani
Country
India
Language
Hindi

Also known as फ़िराक

Where to watch

Streaming availability varies by region — our catalogue lists Prime Video, ZEE5 in India. Check local listings for your region.

Rent: Google Play, YouTube

Buy: Google Play, YouTube

Where to watch Firaaq by country

Country Streaming on
India Prime Video, ZEE5
Malaysia ZEE5
Nigeria Prime Video, ZEE5
Pakistan ZEE5
South Africa Prime Video
United Arab Emirates ZEE5

Subscription availability, refreshed from TMDB. Rental and purchase options may differ.

Why this score?

  • Celluloid's editorial rating is positive (86/100).
  • General viewers mostly liked it (78%).
  • Metascore is generally favorable (72/100).
  • Celluloid Score 70% combines 4 rating inputs; audience sentiment is shown separately. Consult the source notes for verification dates where recorded.

Best for

  • Short runtime — easy weeknight watch

Not ideal for

  • Viewers who only watch top-tier, 90%+ rated films

Scores reflect data indexed at build time. Component sources are shown on this page; Celluloid Score is our composite, not a third-party trademark. Scoring policy

Streaming availability, artwork and title metadata courtesy of TMDB. This product uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB.

Is Firaaq worth watching?

Yes — Firaaq earns a 70% Celluloid Score. That puts it in our Recommended tier. It suits short runtime — easy weeknight watch, but viewers who only watch top-tier, 90%+ rated films may want to skip it. Read our full review (3.5/5).

Celluloid verdict

Nandita Das’s Gujarat-aftermath drama won Best Feature Film at the 7th Kara Film Festival in Karachi — a landmark cross-border jury choice in 2009.

, Founder & Editor

Critics (86%) were notably more enthusiastic than audiences (78%).

What is Firaaq about?

Firaaq is an Urdu word that means both separation and quest. The film is a work of fiction, based on a thousand stories. The story is set over a 24-hour period, one month after a campaign that took place in Gujarat, India, in 2002. It traces the emotional journey of ordinary people- some who were victims, some perpetrators and some who choose to watch silently.

Critic Reviews

Short review 4 min read English Firaaq

Firaaq (2009) Review: The Quiet Aftermath of Violence

Firaaq is Nandita Das's ensemble drama set a month after the 2002 Gujarat violence, tracing how ordinary people live with fear, guilt and silence over one day.

Yes, with reservations. It is a humane, courageous ensemble drama for viewers ready for difficult subject matter, even if some of its stories feel schematic.

Reader takes

No reader takes published yet. Send yours and we may publish it after editing.

Firaaq: frequently asked questions

Is Firaaq worth watching?

Yes. Firaaq (2009) has a Celluloid Score of 70%, averaged from the available Celluloid editorial, Metascore, Letterboxd and IMDb ratings. That puts it in our Recommended tier. Audience sentiment is shown separately and does not change the score.

Where can I watch Firaaq?

In the United States you can rent it from Google Play, YouTube or buy it from Google Play, YouTube. Elsewhere: Prime Video, ZEE5 in India; ZEE5 in Malaysia; Prime Video, ZEE5 in Nigeria; ZEE5 in Pakistan. Availability changes; the where-to-watch table on this page is refreshed from TMDB.

How long is Firaaq?

Firaaq runs 1 hour 41 minutes (101 minutes).

What is Firaaq rated?

Firaaq is rated U/A 16+ in India and R in Canada. These are the official classifications as recorded on TMDB; check your local classification board for content advice.

Who stars in Firaaq?

Firaaq is directed by Nandita Das and stars Naseeruddin Shah, Paresh Rawal, Inaamulhaq, Nassar, Shahana Goswami.

What is the Metascore for Firaaq?

Metacritic's Metascore for Firaaq is 72 out of 100. It is one of the inputs to the Celluloid Score.

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