Razia Sultan

A bollywood classic, which along with another classic mughaleazam, serves as the groundwork and guide for today's movies like Jodha Akbar. The sets are gorgeous and the direction and dialogue is well suited given the era of Delhi's history. Hema is perfect in her role, graceful and royal! The language is complex for those who don't know it, but if you know Urdu like me, then its music to your ears!! Even if you don't dig Urdu, watch it just for the sake of India's glorious history and for the sake of its magical past! The music is lovely, and the sultan's wedding song can even be used today to entertain guests at modern day weddings!. Well done, Amrohi! One star less only because I think the movie's scene editing could have been a little smoother - but no big deal.

This film should have everything going for it - directed by Kamal Amrohi, lavish palace sets, costume design and loosely based on an true story from the era of the Turkish sultanates in India. Razia trained in combat by her Ethiopian slave Yakoot (who suspiciously looks like a blacked up Dharmendra!) proves herself a more worthy heir than her brothers. After the death of her father Razia assumes control of the sultanate to become the first female Muslim leader in South Asia. But Turkish nobility enraged at her relationship with a black man start a power struggle for the throne.

The Turkish sultanate era is nicely brought to life but despite having topics such as gender, politics, history and race on offer the film has a major problem - its coma inducing lack of pace. I can watch a slow film but this takes some effort. Although made in the eighties it tries very hard to recreate the feel of the old epics so there's a lot of silence, overacting and shouting which grates after a while.

However... the whole film is saved by the truly beautiful song 'Ay Dil-e-Nadaan' (My Innocent Heart). With a video to match we see Hema Malini, looking every inch the Turkish princess, wandering through the desert at sunset lonely and frustrated at her inability to express her love for Yakoot.

Worth a watch if you're into slow romantic epics, the history or the girl power angle but you could just read up on real story of Razia Sultan and save yourself three hours. Perhaps ripe for a serious remake?

This is an example of a stupid unimaginable piece of work by a great director having an amazing score. I can't believe how some people giving it rave reviews when it has clearly distorted history. Razia Sultan's romance with Yakut was a myth, it was cooked up the royalties of Razia's kingdom who were jealous of her reign and wanted her to bring her down. Also their main objective was to give birth to seeds of jealousy in Altunia's mind who was Razia's childhood lover and companion.

Mr Amrohi instead went onto make a film based on the affair of Razia and Yakut mainly because to cash on the popularity of Hema Malini and Dharmendra's onscreen pairing at that time. But you can't play with history to satisfy your disbeliefs. The result? the film bombed at the box office and rightfully so, I watched this film online and kept skipping for the sheer audacity it displayed onscreen.

The climax's simply laughable. Dharmendra as Yakut going on a killing spree to save Hema Malini from clutches of Altunia played by Vijendra Ghatge. Razia plays a damsel in distress and Yakut takes her on her horse and they rode off, it's left for the audience imagination whether she was killed or if they made their way to safety. Simply Stupid ! While in reality, Razia and her forces were captured by Altunia and Yakut was killed, later Altunia realized his mistake and they get married.

The next day they set off to get the throne of Delhi back where they encounter a huge force by Balram Shah. After a fierce battle, Altunia loses his life, Razia continues fighting but gets outnumbered and hence lay her life in the battle. Her story deserves a great film. Mr Amrohi has only insulted her Image and nothing else.

The only good thing about this film are the songs by Khayaam Sahab. They are unforgettable. Simply outstanding. Watch the film for just the songs if you really want to, otherwise go read Amar Chitra Katha comic of Razia Sultan that's far more interesting than this trash.

Razia Sultan, a visually extravagant yet underappreciated Indian period drama, strives to immortalize the story of Razia Sultan, the first and only female ruler of Delhi (1236-1240). Directed by Kamal Amrohi, this ambitious film stars Hema Malini as the trailblazing monarch and Dharmendra as Yakut, her loyal Abyssinian slave and rumored romantic interest. Despite its grand vision and sumptuous production design, the movie stumbled at the box office, leaving viewers divided over its uneven execution.

One of the film's most celebrated aspects is its evocative music. Composed by Khayyam, the soundtrack features timeless melodies, with "Aye Dil-e-Nadaan" standing out as an emotional masterpiece. The song poignantly captures Razia's internal conflict between her royal responsibilities and personal yearnings-a central theme of the narrative. While the music remains a highlight, it wasn't sufficient to elevate the film's overall reception.

Visually, "Razia Sultan" dazzles with its richly detailed sets and costumes, offering a vivid glimpse into medieval India. However, while the cinematography successfully conveys the era's opulence, the film's pacing feels slow and cumbersome, making it challenging for contemporary audiences to remain invested. Moreover, the on-screen chemistry between Hema Malini and Dharmendra-though anticipated-falls short of delivering the emotional intensity required to make their forbidden love story truly captivating.

The film does shine in moments that feel remarkably progressive, even by today's standards. One such scene features Parveen Babi and Hema Malini in a bold and striking sequence. Unfortunately, these instances are sparse and fail to offset the film's larger flaws.

I've awarded the film 7 stars primarily for its audacity and ambition in tackling such a monumental story in 1983. While it may not have succeeded entirely, it remains a noteworthy effort worth revisiting for its artistic merits and historical significance.

Good songs, art direction, Direction by Mr.Kamal Amrohi. He had a flair for rich, powerful storyline movies. Have watched the movie which is totally different from the genre of Hindi movies. Especially, as told by one of the users "Ay Dil e Nadaan" song is a very melodious tune and song and beautifully pictured. Also other songs are rich with music and a treat to hear. Hema Malini has got a good character role along with Dharmendra and they do justice to their role. The sets of the movie are terrific and reminds us of the Sultantate age. It is a good movie for lovers of history and also of the times. Wonder when such powerful directors will appear in Hindi film world.