What is the 'Pinjar' film about?

'Pinjar', a debut feature film by a medical practitioner, explores the issue of bird poaching and the discriminatory tenancy problem faced by Muslims in Kolkata.

What does the 'Pinjar' film depict about the housing challenges for Muslims in Kolkata?

The film showcases how a Muslim poacher struggles to find rental accommodation in Kolkata due to his religious identity, as a landlord turns him away after learning he is Muslim.

Home / Arts and Entertainment / Debut Film Exposes Kolkata's Discriminatory Rental Market

Debut Film Exposes Kolkata's Discriminatory Rental Market

Q: How did the director of 'Pinjar' get the inspiration for the film?

The director, Rudrajit Roy, was inspired to make the film after treating a Muslim patient whose relative had faced dire housing problems in Kolkata during the COVID-19 pandemic.

26 Oct

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Summary

Muslim patient's relative faced housing issues during COVID-19
Film explores discrimination against Muslim poacher seeking rental home
Landlord turns away Muslim poacher after learning his religious identity

Debut Film Exposes Kolkata's Discriminatory Rental Market

In October 2025, a medical practitioner's debut feature film 'Pinjar' is making waves at the 31st Kolkata International Film Festival. The film, which focuses on the subject of bird poaching, has also explored the city's discriminatory tenancy problem that makes it challenging for Muslims to find rental accommodation in Kolkata.

The film's director, Rudrajit Roy, was inspired to make the movie after treating a Muslim patient whose relative had faced dire housing problems in the city during the COVID-19 pandemic. "The relative of my patient had an extended family living with him. During Covid, he was asked to shift elsewhere. The reason given was that the average number of people living under the same roof in a Muslim family is more than usual. It became a nightmare for this family to then find a new apartment in Kolkata," Roy recounted.