Sardari Begum

Sardari Begum is a 1996 Indian musical film directed by Shyam Benegal. The film stars Kiron Kher, Amrish Puri, Rajit Kapur and Rajeshwari Sachdev.

The film's lead actress Kiron Kher won the 1997 National Film Award - Special Jury Award. Rajeshwari Sachdev won the 1997 National Film Award for Best Supporting Actress.

This film focuses on the complex portrait of family relationships, generational and sexual politics as well as social mores in India.

The police are called to investigate the death of a woman during a riot in the walled city of Delhi. She was killed by a stone thrown by an agitated mob. The deceased woman is known in the community as "Sardari Begum", a popular singer and courtesan(tawaif). The religious nature of the incident and the impending elections combine to attract the media's attention. When a young reporter covering the funeral, Tehzeeb Abbasi, discovers her father among the mourners, her curiosity prompts her to investigate further. Then comes the revelation that the singer was in fact her aunt, who was disowned by her family for rebelliously learning music from a courtesan.

The reporter Tehzeeb finds the life of her aunt intriguing and exciting, having an opinion that is totally opposite to her father Jabbar. the brother of the late Sardari Begum. Although he loved and cared for her, he didn't support her ideals, her freedom, her passion for singing. At Tehzeeb's residence, Jabbar tells his daughter about the stubbornness of his elder sister yet also confessing his love for her as she was his only sister. The film goes into flashback where Sardari refuses to take money back she had given to Jabbar for Tehzeeb's education. Jabbar wants to return the money as he thinks it was a debt while Sardari regards it as a gift for Tehzeeb. The argument ends with Jabbar leaving Sardari's home swearing never to come back again.

He also narrates how the younger Sardari turned rebellious in order to pursue her passion for singing when it was not approved by her father. Having Inspired by her story, Tehzeeb decides to dig deeper in her late aunt's life. She decides to write a long article in her memory in the newspaper she works but her editor doesn't not approve. It is revealed that Tehzeeb is in a relationship with her editor boss who is happily married with two kids. Tehzeeb continues her journey interviewing every person who was related to her aunt or knew her closely. However, Sardari's daughter Sakheena does not oblige Tehzeeb's request and ignores her.

Tehzeeb finds out about the fateful night when Sardari ran away from home in Agra. She went to Ittan Bai, who refuses to give her shelter and asks her to go home. Sardari then makes her way at Hemraj's (Amrish Puri) house. Hemraj is a Zamindar who leads a colorful life. Although he is married, he keeps attending gatherings led by courtesans (primarily at Ittan Bai where Sardari used to perform. Hemraj felt attracted towards Sardari which is why Sardari approach him and asks for shelter. Hemraj takes Sardari in his house and holds gatherings for her so she can continue her singing. Hemraj's wife dislikes her totally and does not like her closeness with her husband. Meanwhile, Fateh Khan who plays sitar and other musical instruments at Ittan Bai's court was highly impressed with Sardari's talent. After he leaves Ittan Bai, he continues to support Sardari Begum in her future concerts at Hemraj's house and later in Delhi.

Meanwhile, Sadiq Moosvi a friend of Hemraj and a regular attendee at his gatherings is immensely attracted to Sardari. Initially, Sardari does not react to his feelings but slowly when she realizes that Hemraj only lusts for her and does not respect her singing talent, also not want her to grow as an artist, she starts to fall for Sadiq. Sadiq convinces Sardari to come with him to Delhi so that her voice can be popular and she would become famous. Sadiq also learns that Sardari is pregnant with Hemraj's child however he has no obligations to accept both. Sardari and Sadiq comes to Delhi and marry in a private ceremony. Sadiq takes Sardari to a record label company where the company's director Mr Sen falls for Sardari's voice and gets mesmerized by her charm and beauty. From there, Sardari becomes immensely popular as a 'thumri' artist singer known for her passionate voice and singing. For eight years, she reigns supreme and at the top of her game. Meanwhile, she gives birth to her daughter Sakeena.