Harlot, whore, streetwalker, prostitute, hooker, call girl or (the politically correct) sex worker ... call her what you will, but a woman who plies the sex trade, is rarely viewed by society as a mistress of her own will or one whose opinion matters. Writer-director Srijit Mukherji's Begum Jaan is the story of one such woman, madam of a brothel on the outskirts of a town in pre-Independence Punjab. The year is 1947 and the Radcliffe Line has been drawn by the British to demarcate India and the newly forming Pakistan.

When a movie features Vidya Balan, one expects a lot from it. The actress is undoubtedly a powerhouse of talent but a poorly-directed film can easily sweep away the attention from a flawless performer. With 'Begum Jaan', director Srijit Mukherjee remakes his Bengali film 'Rajkahini' that starred Rituparna Sen Gupta in the lead role.

A band of foul-mouthed, opinionated and defiant women who are dependent on men's carnal needs to earn a living are the sheroines of Srijit Mukerji's melodrama that is set against the backdrop of partition. There's plenty of bravura on display here, but the tone-deaf storytelling and poorly put together vignettes make this an arduous watch.

Shyam Benegal's MANDI remains fresh in the minds of movie enthusiasts and aficionados to this date. Unlike the glamorous depiction of courtesans and prostitutes in several Hindi films then, Shyam Benegal -- known for portraying realism in his movies -- captured the ambience and lifestyle of sex workers most authentically. Srijit Mukherjee's BEGUM JAAN charters a similar path. Although it brings back memories of MANDI, BEGUM JAAN is *not* inspired by Benegal's film, nor is it a present-day adaptation of that film. A remake of the Bengali film RAJKAHINI [2015], also directed by Srijit, this one's set during the partition and is far more raw, brutal and violent than MANDI. The trailer of BEGUM JAAN was clear in its intent: It's not for the faint-hearted... actually, you ought to have a strong stomach to absorb this one.

When the trailer of Vidya Balan-starrer Begum Jaan was released, it created a stir because of its bold concept and dialogues liberally peppered with cuss words. The trailer certainly had our attention, but does the film have our approval too? Let's find out... The remake of Bengali film Rajkahini, Begum Jaan revolves around the titular character (Vidya Balan) and her bevy of sex workers, who operate in a sprawling old brothel in rural North India in the pre-Independence era.

Srijit Mukherji's Bangla period film 'Rajkahini' (2015), that this one is the exact replica of, was slightly refreshing, mainly because it was set during 1947 Partition, yes, but on the eastern front, where East Pakistan was being separated from West Bengal, Assam. Normally, Partition narratives get placed in the North, mainly Punjab. As is this adaptation, by the way. Except you don't hear as much Punjabi here.

Mahesh Bhatt and his home production, Vishesh Films, takes a break from Emraan Hashmi thrillers and go back in history to make a movie on the partition and the sufferings it caused to our ancestors. That's Begum Jaan for you. It is a remake of 2015 Bengali movie, Rajkahini, and stars Vidya Balan in the main role, along with a huge ensemble cast involving Gauahar Khan, Pallavi Sharda, Pitobash, Chunky Pandey, Ashish Vidyarthi, Rajit Kapoor, Vivek Mushran, Ila Arun, Mishti and Naseeruddin Shah.

With the announcement of 'Independence', as the girls in the brothel rejoice, a disheartened Begum Jaan (Vidya Balan), who is a brothel owner, says its a waste ofa day's business because no customers would come on account of Independence celebration. Yes! That's Begum Jaan.

A potentially explosive idea lost in banshee-like shrillness, rapid-fire storytelling and much volatility triggered by a collision of history and hysteria: that in a nutshell is Begum Jaan, a markedly condensed retelling by writer-director Srijit Mukherji of his own 2015 Bengali-language period drama Rajkahini. The film isn't devoid of passages that crackle with promise. But, alas, not only are these hope-inducing moments too few and far between, they fizzle out all too quickly.

The truth of Partition is stained with blood and brutality. One that burnt homes, took lives and livelihoods, spurred communal violence and triggered a mass exodus between India and Pakistan. It was a time of uncertainty, incredulity, ill will and inexplicable chaos and there aren't too many ways to reflect on it without getting sentimental. But when writer and director Srijit Mukherjee uses this hellish imagery solely for effect, he belittles one of the most horrific chapters in human history.

The story of the bloody birth of India and Pakistan is so inherently full of drama that any telling of any part of it needs a great deal of skilled restraint.That crucial thing is thrown to the winds in 'Begum Jaan', based on 'Rajkahini', Srijit Mukherji's Bangla film. I haven't seen the original, but this, meant to be a faithful remake, climbs to a high-pitched melodramatic perch, and progresses in episodic lurches, never coming down.

On the eve of Independence, the chairman of the Border Commission, Sir Cyril Radcliffe decides to divide India and Pakistan into equitable halves. What the administration doesn't account for is the line running through the middle of Begum Jaan's(Vidya Balan) brothel situated plonk on the border; with one half falling in India and the other in Pakistan.

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. Or, maybe the unethical British Empire saved its most potent weapon for the last. The Radcliffe Line divided one nation into three parts: East Pakistan, West Pakistan and India.