Pakeezah was a huge commercial success in both India and Great Britain. Exquisitely photographed on elaborate sets, the movie won a Filmfare award for its art direction. It contains song-and-dance sequences that become an integral part of the story -- rather than detracting from it, as is the case in some Bollywood films.
Kumari had previously acted under her husband’s direction in Daera (1953). Amrohi, who died in 1993, directed only two other films, Mahal (1949) and Razia Sultan (1982). His struggle to complete Pakeezah was complicated in part by his wife’s illness and also because of financial difficulties. When the film was at last completed and had its premiere in February 1972, Kumari sat proudly beside her husband, then tearfully accepted compliments on her bravura performance.
Producer-Director/Screenplay: Kamal Amrohi
Cinematography: Josef Wirsching
Editing: D. N. Pai
Art Direction: N. B. Kulkarni
Original Music: Ghulam Mohammed Naushad
Costume Design: Meena Kumari
Principal Cast: Ashok Kumar (Shahabuddin), Meena Kumari (Nargis/Sahibjaan), Raaj Kumar (Salim), Veena Sapru Veena (Nawabjaan).
C-147m. Letterboxed.
by Roger Fristoe
