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6 out of 8 people found the following review useful: The Greatest of Movies! A must see!, 18 November 2001 Author: suhailmu (suhailmu@hotmail.com) from New Jersey, USA
This is by far one of the best Indian movies I have ever seen. One really gets a sense of the life in the early 1950's in India. The plot is very rich. Full of life. Full of characters, nuances. There are so many stories in the background: partition, status of Muslims in India, Indian cenima, fate of Indian principalties. The dialogue is just awesome. But, of course, the focus and center of the movie is the story of Zubedaa. Khaled Mohammed's script -- based on the life of is mother -- is simply amazing. In general, I do not like Karishma Kapoor's movies -- but she gives a phenomenol performance here, even better than her performance in Fiza. I hope she will continue do serious roles in the future. In fact, everyone in the movie is great. There are no "mistakes" in the movie. What starts out as very simple story builds up to something very powerful. There is no naive sentimentality here. This is art! High art! And no this is not one of those aesthetic pieces that are out of touch with reality. I just cannot say enough about the movie. Perfect, perfect, perfect.Of course, this movie is only for serious viewers. If you are looking for action or laughs, look else where.
2 out of 2 people found the following review useful: A Rich And Resonant Historical Romance, Though It Ends Up Feeling Incomplete, 24 September 2007 Author: Afzal Shaikh from London, England
Shyam Benegal is an international award winning film director who made his name in the 1970's with films, such as Anker (1974), that focus on controversial subjects involving the examination of fraught, complex social and cultural relationships. These films tend to concentrate on the lower rungs of Indian society. Zubeidaa is a refreshing update in this mode of film-making, as Benegal transfers his name-making qualities to a subject at the higher end of society.It is the story of a young man, Riyaz, who goes on a journey to discover what has happened to his mysterious mother, absent for as long as he can remember. What he discovers is reenacted in scenes set not long after independence, as the naïve but headstrong young Zubeidaa is scandalised by her romance, and subsequent marriage to Prince Vijayendra Singh of Fatehpur, head of a grand Hindu ruling royal family. As a middle class Muslim divorcée with a child by another man, her relationship with the Prince is naturally complicated by socio-political and religious factors.But not only does she become entangled in the politics of the royal circle around the Prince, particularly in her relationship with the Prince's first wife, Mandira Devi, she also gets caught up in the larger politics of India. The film is set during a time not long after Independence, a time of change and uncertainty for the traditional ruling class of India, which still laid claim to about a third of the country.Though it is clear that this film is much more than royal watching, having such a subject naturally supports a lavish treatment, which Benegal ably supplies, as well as making the film's content rich in nuance and resonance, handling its mature romantic storyline gracefully, and skilfully embedding it into its larger historical context.The characters are generally very well developed with empathy and without judgement or cliché. The acting matches this. Karisma Kapoor captures the strength and naivety of Zubeidaa with aplomb, and Rekha is authoritative and understated as the enigmatic Mandira Devi.The only problem I have with the film is Zubeidaa's grown son, Riyaz. Riyaz is imperative to the film, since the viewer follows him on his journey of discovery. Seeing great characters through the eyes of other characters is a useful fictional device, most successfully utilised in Scott Fitzgerald's novel, The Great Gatsby. Nick Carraway's character is revealed by his journey in discovering Gatsby. However, in Zubeidaa, Riyaz stays enigmatic while discovering his mother, and even, at times, comes across as anodyne, feeling more like a biographer looking into an interesting episode in history, not a son trying to find his mother. Rajat Kapoor, playing Riyaz, does not manage to rise above his character's failings. And so, unfortunately, the film ends up feeling incomplete.
3 out of 4 people found the following review useful: Magnificent Movie, 28 June 2007 Author: starstruck52 from United States
Very rarely in Bollywood do you get such subtle movies. This movie is just wonderful. The story is a true story but I think it that they modified to fit for a film. From the moment the movie starts, a tear will come out of eye which will remain until the credits close. Though this is (auto)biographic, it is highly entertaining. The characterization of Zubeidaa is terrific. From the minute you see Karisma (in a wonderful new get up), you want to learn about her. And not only Zubeidaa, the whole cast which makes it a wonderful experience.The casting of Karisma Kapoor was amazing. Like SRK in Asoka, you never realize that this is a true person she is playing. You feel like she is playing an extension of herself. She looks amazing as ever. Best of all, all of her emotions gel with the audience. When she smiles, you smile. When she cries, you cry. This can be argued as her best performance. Rekha is magical. She has a shady character, but Rekha can succeed at any role. Manoj Bajpai is decent, but that is more because of his weakly developed character. Amrish Puri, Lilette Dubey, and Surekha Sikri all add to the brilliant cast. Even Farida Jalal's short appearance is wonderful. Now the main character is also Rajit Kapoor and he couldn't be better. He certainly has the innocence needed for his character looking for facts about his mother.The songs are also wonderful. My favorite song is easily the chart-buster Dheeme Dheeme picturized beautifully on Karisma Kapoor. Mehndi Hai Rachnewaali is a popular wedding tune (Even today) and its picturization is bound to make you cry and smile. Main Albeli is danced beautifully by Karisma, and you may not cherish it at first, but you certainly will at the end. And one of the saddest songs ever, So Gaye Hain, will haunt you for a long time for being sad.This movie is definitely worth a watch. It will appeal to both commercial cinema watchers and art cinema watchers. The ending is tragic, but the whole movie is bound to put a tear on your face. There are no words to describe this movie. Just bring the tissues, because only someone with a stone heart can cry upon watching this movie.
4 out of 6 people found the following review useful: REALLY good movie. Worth seeing. Painstakingly made., 20 February 2001 Author: sai from NJ, USA
I saw this movie with minimal expectations. Except that Shyam Benegal is known to make 'art' movies.I left with a most wonderful feeling. Shyam Benegal has bridged the gap between serious movies and the pot boilers produced by Bollywood. I don't expect this movie to be a hit. But here are the things I found fascination in the movie (in no particular order):i) The character of Zubeida as played by Karisma Kapoor was perfect! If it was the intention of the director to show her as a very happy-go-lucky girl that does not want to be confined by anyone or anything - she has portrayed it superbly. Of course, she DOES come across as being selfish, as not being willing to share the limelight (or her love for that matter) with another. But - that is what she IS!ii) The story was very melancholic. Interspersed with moments of laughter. But the melancholy prevails thru till the last frame.iii) Cinematography has a dream like quality (when in flashback mode) along with a matter of fact presence today. I especially liked the sepia tones of yester year juxtaposed with the more real life tones of the present day.iv) The direction itself is (as usual) flawless. I thought there was a mistake once or twice - but upon rewinding I saw (to my relief) that I was very much mistaken. The only part not so convincing is the plane crash itself. If only Indian movie makers would not mind doing the real thing :-) In particular, I feel the reason Karisma seems to be so perfect in this role, is the director. That is NOT to detract from her performancs! But just having Shyam Benegal as a director raises you to the next level - that you probably never knew existed.v) The camera work is poetic. Whether in the past or in the present, it seems to caress each of the central characters. Whether it is Amrish Puri or Rose in the past or Rajit Kapur and the palace in the present, the camera seems to linger longingly on each of them. Especially in the present, when the camera seems to wish the place back to life the way it was.vi) Manoj Bajpai's casting (Victor). This, as expected, is one of the most controversial castings ever done. Manoj's portrayals in movies so far have been anything BUT regal. However, it is MY feeling that he did a commendable job of airing royalty. I thought he was cast perfectly. However, his younger brother seems to be more regal than him. In the one scene in the present, he does look like a former maharaja.vii) Rekha as the Queen (Mandira Devi). Now THIS was a big no-no in my view. She looked so much older than him! However, if history has to be portrayed correctly, what other choice do we have?viii) Lilette Dubey (Rose). This is ONE woman you can see as having done her role complete justice. She floats thru it and you are left wondering whether you should be loving her or hating her.ix) Karisma Kapoor (Zubeidaa). I don't mean to belittle her by talking about her so late in the review. She was perfect for the role. She has done the role perfectly. You love to love the vivacious girl in her. You struggle along with her as she tries to adjust to being a queen - failing miserably. You want to dance with her - when she commits the crime of dancing along with the visiting commoners. You fall in love along with her. She deserves to win the Filmfare award for best actress for 2001. She has proved that she is not a mere bimbette (as Dimple has ably demonstrated the transition from bikini clad gal to fine actress) and is probably the only one of the current Kapoor generation worthy of her great grandfather's name.I rate this movie a 9 out of 10.
1 out of 1 people found the following review useful: Zubeidaa: a Vision of Female, 5 September 2008 Author: guardians2006 from Indonesia
A vision of female follies & desires SHYAM Benegal spearheaded the parallel cinema movement in the 70s and the 80s with movies like Nishant and Manthan whereby making icons of Shabana Azmi, Naseeruddin Shah and Smita Patil. His genuine concern with womens' issues is evident in movies like Mammo and Sardari Begum (both scripted by Khalid Mohammad) with their women-oriented themes. His latest film Zubeidaa offers perspective vignettes and explores the female psyche and interaction in different environments. Benegal has a kindly vision of female follies and characters, their motivations, desperation's and desires.Starring Karisma Kapur, Rekha and Manoj Bajpai, the film has strong a backup in Surekha Sikri and Lillette Dubey, supported by his favorites Amrish Puri and Rajit Kapur, Shyam Benegal calls his film a "lyrical romance" and it is one, but that is not all that his film offers. The film, a period romance set in the 1950s, is the story of a young Muslim girl from an affluent family. When her father discovers that his daughter has signed a film, he forces her into a marriage which ends in a divorce and a baby. Zubeidaa meets her true love, a Rajasthani prince (Manoj Bajpai) but the trouble is that he is already married. However, she consents to becoming his Chhoti Rani.Basically there are four strongly etched characters in the film. Surekha Sikri is the Muslim wife in an urban, educated setting who abides by the laws set down by the husband and accepts his tyranny as a traditional male domain, "you know sahib always has his way. You'll have to do what he says in the end". Her contemporary is Lillette Dubey who plays Miss Rose Davenport, a dancer in the movies…and she's utterly irrepressible! Out to have a good time, she interacts on a superficial level with everyone connected to her. Still she has a kind heart and when she decides that Zubeidaa has had enough of moping around after her divorce, she promptly introduces her to the dashing prince and shamelessly abets the romance. Her statement, "men and horses are more my style my dear", (said with a mischievous wink) is completely her! The interesting thing is that the same fact, when examined by her and by Sikri, portrays diametrically different views of the truth making one realize that truth is never absolute! These two utterly different women, belonging to the same generation, remain true to type till their old age.Karisma Kapoor and Rekha in Zubeidaa Benegal is never judgmental and nor does he allow the audience to become holier-than-thou. So human are both the women and so sympathetically has the director dealt with his characters that one simply accepts them and likes them.The main character, that of Zubeidaa, superbly portrayed by Karisma Kapur, has overlapping shades to it. Zubeidaa has fiery feminist instincts and is rebellious and tempestuous until the end. At the same time she's feminine, vulnerable and very young. She chooses to live her life the way she wants to. After giving into paternal authority once in her first marriage, she isn't willing to throw away her chance for happiness the second time. Fully aware of the prince's previous marriage and family, she's ready to accept a strange environment and a different religion for the sake of love. She makes her choices and sacrifices willingly and knowingly. Karisma has surpassed herself as the passionate, defiant, willful and troubled Zubeidaa, the truly modern woman.In direct contrast to her is Mandira Devi, the Patrani of the prince. Graceful, mature and traditional, she upholds the role and duties of the Rajasthani princess, yet surprises Zubeidaa by saying, "call me Mandy". She treats Zubeidaa with resigned, amused affection, never losing her savor-fare while she instructs Zubeidaa in her expected role.The most important facet that Benegal has been able to bring out through the film is the fact of female bonding. Whether it is Lillette with Karisma or Karisma with Surekha or Karisma with Rekha, females in the film interact, react, exist and equate with each other, despite the parameters set by males. They understand and accept each others' drives and emotions. Rekha and Karisma, in fact, have a frank discussion about their respective relationships with the prince. Both accept that they have a different role to play in his life—but in the final analysis, that role is assigned by the male. So if the prince says of his senior wife, "woh eek ache Rajput bah ha", he says to Karisma, "sada ha seen bane Rana Ur Dill belling", leaving no ambiguity in the respective role expectation.The plot of the story moves fast from scene to scene—from the 50s to the 80s (the film is in a series of flash-backs) without losing track of the story. It is also not so 'period' that one cannot relate to it. There are traces of the British upper class manners,egg. The meals and decor in Karisma's house is very Anglicized, people speak English comfortably, on the stereo a Dean Martin song is playing, in a party is a live band with the saxophone, trumpet and drums playing a waltz. There are puff sleeves, shingled hair and net depots, there is talk of the newly-formed Pakistan, the Privy-purses being withdrawn is a burning issue and many details like these to make the setting completely authentic. Back home in Fatehpur too, the true Rajasthani setting has been portrayed with attention to minute detail.In the final analysis, Benegal has made a film which is a milestone as far as women-oriented movies are concerned. The theme, characterization and issues that the film examines are fair to women and have been examined without any searing criticism to mar the tone of the picture.
1 out of 1 people found the following review useful: Zubeidaa haunts you...., 25 August 2008 Author: ritsjoey from Kolkata, India
Shyam Benegal is not generally associated with opulent cinema. So when, I saw the trailers of this movie, which boasted of Shyam Benegal's direction, Khalid Mohammad's story, A.R.Rahman's music & Karishma Kapoor's acting, I was quite intrigued. Little did I know that the memory of Zubeidaa would haunt me in the years to come.... Zubeidaa, without a doubt, is one of the finest Indian films I've ever seen. Why??? Well, here are 10 reasons:1) Zubeidaa was like a breath of fresh air in 2001 when the landscape of Bollywood was pathetically repetitive. A beautiful and a poignant story with an equally brilliant screenplay is the backbone of the film.2) Shyam Benegal is able to re-create the magic of the 50s & the 60s. Right from the minutest detail in the frame till the most trivial gestures of the actors...it all oozes the rich sophistication of the bygone era.3) The sets, the costumes, the props.... You cant help but notice the ocean green eyes of Karishma, the luscious red sarees, the whole mood was jussssst right! 4) A.R.Rahman's haunting music paired with Javed Akhtar's lyrics give you some very unforgettable moments in the movie.5) Beautiful characters.... The patriarch Amrish Puri, the meek Sulekha Sikri, the suave Vajpayee, the very elegant Rekha. But the limelight is on Karishma Kapoor, whose complex character haunts you.... In the name of good cinema, please watch Zubeidaa!
3 out of 5 people found the following review useful: As real as the Film itself, 16 April 2003 Author: (lalit_chadha_1@yahoo.com) from New Delhi, India
Zubeida, is a classic film. In fact one of the best films to come out of the Hindi Film industry in recent times. All the aspects of the film, whether be it the taut and intelligent Direction (vintage Benegal ji), the music (the re-incarnation of R.D.Burman as modern age A.R. Rehman giving very popular and ever lasting amazing numbers, the haunting lyrics, the very original storyline, the entire canvass, was a cinematic treat. Of course the histrionic talents of Surekha Sikri, Amrish Puri, MAnoj Bajpai, Rajat Kapoor, Lillette Dubey amongst others combined with the deadly combination duo of my all time favourite actresses REkha and KArisma KApoor was deadly! In fact i can't thank Mr. Benegal enough for bringing these two great actresses in the same canvas and the result was there for everyone to see. KArisma, i would say, excelled is a low word, she just was as good as Smita Patil or Shabana Azmi would have been in the same role. The kind of Depth, the look, the innocence, the beauty, the charisma, the fear, the strength, the naivety, the revolt, the love - all these expressions and more that she displayed in this film were worth a NAtional Award at least if not the Oscar! Well, the Filmfare critics award made up for it. All in all a collector's item, a great always-to-be-remembered film.
4 out of 7 people found the following review useful: Bedazzling performance by Karishma, 19 March 2006 Author: linkinem41 from United States
this is up to date the most strongest female lead role i have ever seen in Indian cinema. quite rarely does movies with female lead occur in case of bollywood. well this is agreat cinema to keep the trend going. well a stop to hero's heroin roles. here karishma kapoor takes a perfect break and shows her real talent and yes acting does really flow in the kapoor blood.i must say this must be the best female performance i have ever seen in Indian cinema by any actress. she's that brilliant.believe me on that. well she really gets into the role end brings life back to the Zubeida who lived in the stories. well she masterfully presents her sorrows her dreams and her stubbornness. this movie is really great and well succeeds in delivering what it is supposed to. karishma's acting really overshadows the supporting cast.well this movie was moving. i did really feel too sad for zubeida. this is really a sad story about a girls dreams which never come true. really sad.CANT stop thinking how many zubeda's lived in the Indian history.well i give this movie 9/10 MIND-SWEEPING performance by KARISHMA. and well this ain't the same old masaladar type movie. and well it really stands it's ground.
4 out of 7 people found the following review useful: Enjoyable, 14 February 2001 Author: baburoy from Delhi
Zubeidaa was a real person. Shyam Benegal has tried to portray her story through the movie. When Indian films graduated from the silent era to the talkies, Zubeida starred in the first Indian talkie - Alam Ara. She was a divorcee who fell in love with the then maharaja of Jodhpur. They got married but Zubeida never earned the status of a queen. She always remained the 'other woman'. Zubaida married the late Maharaja of Jodhpur Hanwant Singh, a high- flier who fell for her beauty. Both the Maharaja and Zubaida were killed in an air crash near Jodhpur 48 years ago. Their son, Hukum Singh, popularly known as Tutu Bana, was murdered fifteen years ago under mysterious circumstances at Jodhpur. Well known film journalist Khalid Mohammed, Zubaida's son from her first marriage, wrote a story on her late mother. Originally, it is a love story, but for the film version, little changes have been made. Now the film - Karishma Kapoor has matured as an actress. She was known as Govinda's heroine. Now with movies like Fiza and Zubeidaa, Karishma has shown that she can act. Rekha is wonderful in her short but important role as the King's elder wife, Mandira Devi. The only flaw I found was casting of Manoj Bajpai as the king. The Rajput kings were really majestic looking - tall and fair and very cultured. Manoj Bajpai did not have that in his personality though he made for it by his acting talent. This is not a typical Shyam Benegal film. People expecting a serious thought provoking movie would be disappointed. This is Shyam Benegal's first attempt to bridge the gap between Commercial cinema and the 'art' cinema.The movie is a love story of a journalist talking to people trying to find out all he can about a mother he never knew. He meets people and through them Zubeidaa's story unfolds. I enjoyed the movie and give it 7 out of 10.
A story of a Princess, 2 April 2008 Author: Tehmina Inayat from Waterloo, Canada
I enjoyed watching Zubeidaa. The acting was great, and history and Rajhastani culture were portrayed beautifully. The only thing I hated about the movie was the character of Zubeidaa. It was always about, 'I, Me, Mine' with her, and to me she seemed like a spoiled and childish brat. Karishma Kapoor looked very pretty and her acting was wonderful, despite a stinky character she portrayed. Rekha looked beautiful and young as always.If you can help not hitting the screen every time Zubeidaa wallows in self pity, I recommend you to watch the movie. If nothing else, it can give one a pretty good idea of the lifestyle of Maharajas in that time era!
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