About this Event
Set against the backdrop of the courtly era of the nawabs of Lucknow, Pakeezah with its painterly frames saturated with color, opulent sets and costumes, haunting music and the luminous Meena Kumari in an unforgettable performance as the courtesan Sahibjaan, is a poetically exquisite classic that took fourteen years to complete. The courtesan Nargis is rejected by the family of her husband Shahabuddin and dies giving birth to her daughter Sahibjaan who grows up to become a renowned courtesan. But she lives in a gilded cage, yearning for love and a life of dignity. Her life takes a turn when a forest officer, Salim, accidentally encounters her while she is asleep in a train compartment. Captivated by her, he leaves behind a note praising her beauty and innocence without knowing her identity. Their paths cross again and they fall in love. However, misunderstandings and the stigma attached to Sahibjaan’s identity threaten to keep them apart. Description courtesy of Film Heritage Foundation.
Pakeezah was restored in 4K by Film Heritage Foundation at L’Immagine Ritrovata laboratory in association with Bilal Amrohi of Lionheart Cinema.
Directed by: Kamal Amrohi. Country: India. Released: 1972. Length: 153 min. Format: DCP. Language: Urdu with English subtitles.
Event venue & nearby stays
Meyer Auditorium, National Museum of Asian Art (Enter on Independence Ave.), Freer Gallery of Art, Washington, United States
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