Watch Zubeidaa

Zubeidaa is a 2001 Indian film directed by Shyam Benegal. The movie features a star-studded cast including Karisma Kapoor, Rekha, and Manoj Bajpayee. The plot of the film revolves around the life of a woman named Zubeidaa who dreams of being a successful actress in the Indian film industry. Zubeidaa is the daughter of a wealthy and influential film producer who makes her debut in a film directed by a renowned director. Despite her father's disapproval, she continues her career and falls in love with a Hanwantiya prince named Maharaja Vijayendra Singh. They get married against her father's wishes and live happily in her husband's palace. However, their happiness is short-lived as the prince's mother is against their marriage and does not accept Zubeidaa as her daughter-in-law.

Zubeidaa's struggles begin when she realizes that her husband is still married to his first wife, Mandira Devi, and has a child with her. Zubeidaa feels betrayed and decides to leave her husband and return to her father's home. She realizes that her father has abandoned her and she is left with nothing. Her mother suggests that she should return to her husband as his second wife and learn to live in a joint family.

The rest of the story revolves around Zubeidaa's struggle to accept the reality of her married life and her desire to fulfill her passion for acting. The movie deals with themes of love, marriage, betrayal, and societal norms.

Karisma Kapoor, who plays the lead role in the film, delivers a brilliant performance. She portrays the character of Zubeidaa with utmost sensitivity and gives a touching portrayal of a woman struggling to come to terms with her married life. Rekha, who plays the role of Maharani Mandira Devi, also gives a powerful performance. Her performance as a strong-willed woman who is determined to win the battle against Zubeidaa is commendable.

Manoj Bajpayee, who plays the role of Maharaja Vijayendra Singh, has a limited screen time but still manages to leave a lasting impact. His character represents the conflict between traditional values and modern ideas. The supporting cast also delivers impressive performances, especially Surekha Sikri who plays the role of Zubeidaa's mother.

The film's music is another highlight. The soundtrack is composed by A.R. Rahman and the lyrics are penned by Javed Akhtar. The songs 'Mehndi Hai Rachne Wali' and 'Dheeme Dheeme' became immensely popular and are still remembered today.

In conclusion, Zubeidaa is a must-watch for anyone who loves to watch films that deal with social issues and offer a glimpse into the lives of women who are fighting their own battles. It is a well-made film with powerful performances, good storytelling, and soulful music.

Zubeidaa is a 2001 romance movie with a runtime of 2 hours and 33 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.5.