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Following our Diwali celebration, enjoy this beloved Bollywood classic, a heartbreaking romance with gorgeous visuals and some of the most beautiful songs ever committed to film. Set against the backdrop of the courtly era of the Nawabs of Lucknow, Pakeezah is a poetically exquisite classic that took fourteen years to complete. The film’s painterly frames are saturated with color, opulent sets and costumes, haunting music, and actress Meena Kumari in an unforgettable performance.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 adapted from Film Heritage Foundation.
Cost: free, register in advance recommended.
Pakeezah was restored in 4K by Film Heritage Foundation at L’Immagine Ritrovata laboratory in association with Bilal Amrohi of Lionheart Cinema.
Director: Kamal Amrohi. Country: India. Released: 1972. Length: 153 min. Format: DCP. Language: Urdu with English subtitles.
Image courtesy of the Film Heritage Foundation
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Event venue
1050 Independence Ave SW, Washington D.C., DC, United States, Washington, District of Columbia 20013
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Concerts, fests, parties, meetups — all the happenings, one place.