Tawaif

B.R. Chopra, one of the most acclaimed Indian film-makers of all time, has given some of the most memorable films on female themes like "Insaaf Ka Tarazu," and "Nikaah." "Tawaif" remains relatively an underrated and unnoticed film by him. Tawaif stands for a courtesan or a prostitute and the film depicts prostitution is due to some unwanted circumstances of life and even under a prostitute dwells a lady who wants to live and love. The theme just beautifully unravels in the film with some touching sequences. The best thing of the film is the Urdu language it uses which feels just mesmerizing and the formal presentation of the setting and character just makes it a film to treasure. Rishi Kapoor, Rati Agnihotri, and Sushma Seth were the ones to give the best ones in the film. However it couldn't also avoid the regular characters of formulaic movies played by Kader Khan, or Asrani. Few songs are also good. Overall, it's the simplicity and the sensitivity with which the story is dealt, makes this film even a treat to watch. I had watched this film over 15 years and still today I'm touched with certain sequences of the film.

Rating: 2 stars out of 4

Tawaif review :

The late BR Chopra's last film directed for an outside banner which turned out to be a surprise box office hit. Rati Agnihotri, playing the titular role, not only looked beautiful but also gave the best performance of her career.

The story revolved around Dawood (Rishi Kapoor) who is forced by a local goon (Kader Khan) to provide accommodation to Sultana (Rati Agnihotri) in his absence. The neighbourhood mistakes Sultana to be Dawood's newly wedded wife. Meanwhile, Dawood falls in love with Kainaat (Poonam Dhillon), a writer who in turn forms love interest of her publisher and Dawood's boss Suleiman (Deepak Parashar).

BR Chopra's direction is effective as ever and the dialogues by Rahi Masoom Raza deserve special mention.

Of the cast, Rishi Kapoor was perfectly suited to play Dawood (Dont remember any other movie with this name for a hero!!). Poonam Dhillon looked pretty. Deepak Parashar, a BR Chopra staple since Nikaah (1982), had a small part in the film and if rumours are to be believed, accused Chopra Saahab of cutting his role at the editing table.

The film however, belonged to Rati Agnihotri who was simply brilliant and it earned her a Filmfare award nomination that year (she lost to Dimple in Saagar).

I saw Tawaif on VHS sometime in late 80s. To be frank, I found it at par if not better than Chopra Saahab's Nikaah (1982), another Muslim social starring Salma Agha which was a bigger hit.

Regards, Sumeet Nadkarni.

A very enjoyable movie. Starts with plenty of comedy in the beginning but later on gets serious. It is a Muslim social. this is one of Rati Agnihotri's best roles and here she completely overshadows Rishi Kapoor

This film came out the year i was born in 1985 and i saw it on 2005 when i was 20. At the time i wasn't familiar with Rati Agnihotri cos I've only seen Coolie 30 times. I've seen her in very few films like Boxer and Zindagani and the recent Hum Tum and Yeh hai Jalwa. After watching Tawaif i have realised that she was a amazing actress. She is beautiful and talented and enacted the role of a tawaif (prostitute) superbly. This movie is among Bollywood's underrated films which won only 2 awards that year. Rishi Kapoor delivers a good performance, Poonam is alright, kader Khan is good in a brief role, but Rati stole the show. I rate this film highly as it has a little comedy, Family drama, emotions and romance.

Tawaif in India is synonymous with Geisha in Japan. And yet there is so little respect or understanding among the masses. This movie raises the bar and creates an opportunity for understanding.

Art, money, power, humanity and criminal behaviour come together in this movie world of a Tawaif. The reality is a bit more harsh.

This movie is about two women; and a man. The novel that one woman writes and the man (Rishi Kapoor) helps publish becomes the story of his life. Married to one, loving the other - what will become of him?

As things go in art or in life, one wonders whether art is a reflection of life, or whether life is art.

These were the questions Rati Agnihotri asks of herself, and finds an answer.

I hope you do. I am still looking.