| Zaib-un-Nisa | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Fareed Ahmad |
| Produced by | Mohammad Akram Chodhary [1] |
| Starring | |
| Music by | Inayat Hussain |
Production company | Noor Mahal Pictures |
Release date |
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| Country | Pakistan |
| Language | Urdu |
Zaib-un-Nisa is a 1976 Pakistani historical romance film directed by Fareed Ahmad. [1] It stars Shamim Ara in the titular role, with Waheed Murad, Saleem Nasir, Aliya and Talish in pivotal roles. [2] Set during the era of Indian rebellion of 1857, the film focuses on the anti-colonialist movement against the British Raj. It marked the debut of Nasir, who played the role of the last Mughal emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar. [3] The music of the film was composed by Inayat Hussain. It was a box-office disaster.
The historical inaccuracies of the film are notable, particularly in its portrayal of Zeb-un-Nisa as the granddaughter of Bahadur Shah Zafar, when in fact, Zeb-un-Nisa was the daughter of Aurangzeb Alamgir.
During the 1857 War of Independence, Bahadur Shah Zafar's granddaughter, Zeb-un-Nisa escapes from the palace and takes refuge in a royal physician's house. However, when the British army arrives, she escapes with the help of the physician's brother, Amjad Ali Khan, and takes shelter in a cleric's house. When the British government announces a reward for her capture, she leaves the cleric's house to save his life.
Meanwhile, Bahadur Shah Zafar is accused of treason against the British government and exiled. Zeb-un-Nisa appears in court, offering to surrender, but when she sees Amjad Ali as her lawyer, she requests his help discreetly. Amjad Ali takes her in as a governess for his young niece.
As time passes, Zeb-un-Nisa becomes a servant in Amjad's household. However, when Amjad sees her unveiled, he falls in love with her and tries to convince her to marry him. After some hesitation, Zeb-un-Nisa agrees, but Amjad's other love interest and British Commissioner Joseph's niece, Rita, is heartbroken when she discovers their relationship.
When Rita recognizes Zeb-un-Nisa from a file belonging to Joseph, she informs him of Zeb-un-Nisa's whereabouts. Joseph sends the police to arrest her, and Zeb-un-Nisa is accused of murdering a British officer. She is sentenced to death, but Amjad saves her by producing the officer alive in court, proving her innocence. Zeb-un-Nisa gets rescued, and it appears that Amjad and Zeb-un-Nisa's love prevails.