Product Details
ASIN : B00005KIUM
Editorial Reviews
Amazon.co.uk Review
Palaces, princesses and politics--on the face of it Indian art cinema doyen Shyam Benegal's maiden foray into Bollywood, Zubeidaa, appears to have all the ingredients of a mainstream success. However, the film is at best an uneasy blend of art-house sensibilities with the full-on spectacle that is commercial Hindi cinema. This is the latest in a series of semi-autobiographical stories by writer Khalid Mohamed that have been directed by Benegal. Here the director charts the story of Zubeidaa, a young aristocratic Muslim woman, whose promising film career is cut short. She is married off young, has a son, is divorced and finally finds love with the married ruler of a princely state in newly independent India.
Told in flashback, the film's structure and some key scenes are very similar to the director's masterpiece Bhumika ("The Role", 1976). Karisma Kapoor, hitherto known for her scantily clad raunchy roles, makes her bid for artistic credentials as the eponymous heroine. But much like the film itself, her performance falls between two stools. Veteran actress Rekha who plays her paramour's first wife easily outclasses her in a graceful yet forceful performance. AR Rahman's music is haunting, dreamy and helps create a mood and ambience that the visuals fail to produce.
On the DVD: Zubeidaa is presented in a pleasing anamorphic transfer with 5.1 Dolby Digital sound. While the menus are easy enough to navigate, the extras are disappointing, consisting of a faded theatrical trailer and a few television promos complete with dropouts. The subtitling, though largely accurate, makes quite a few errors. For example "cemetery" appears as "symmetry" while the word "diary" consistently appears as "dairy". --Naman Ramachandran
Customer Reviews
MAGINFICANT MOVIE (2007-08-08)  ery 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.
Dazzling Zubeidaa (2003-07-08) Good Depiction of a woman who is so impulsive yet so loving & committed.. Karishma emerged here as a mature actress along with her charismatic beauty!!! Although the script could have have been much better..
A flawed but interesting film. (2003-01-15) Zubeidaa is an interesting film firstly because it is based on a true story, but also because it tries to be both a Bollywood and an art house film. While the film is flawed, I did find it very intriguing. The period it is set in is very interesting and the situation Zubeidaa finds herself in is quite frankly bizarre (especially as it is based on fact). I enjoyed Karisma Kapoor's performance. She does come across as unsympathetic at times, but it is a difficult role. Rekha is excellent, if a little frightening! This is not a film you are going to want to watch again and again, but anyone with an interest in Indian cinema should really see it.
Hhm, it could've been better... (2002-02-28)  Well, the film definitely encompassed the general thinking in India/Pakistan for the time period it was set in. Karisma played Zubeidaa well, but all you really see is a very spoilt rich girl who is continually vying for attention, to the point of loosing her son. A good story line, but spoilt by a very sulky character.
i just loved it (2001-06-22)  when this film first came out i was a bit anxious about it but when i watched it it was absolutely brill i just loved karismas performance as the princess it is a real treat to watch with the whole family and it will just make you cry out loud the songs are good and the scenery is buetifull.
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