Zaib-un-Nisa (film)

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.

Zaib-un-Nisa
Directed by	Fareed Ahmad
Produced by	Mohammad Akram Chodhary[1]
Starring	Shamim Ara Waheed Murad Saleem Nasir Aliya Talish
Music by	Inayat Hussain
Production company	Noor Mahal Pictures
Release date	2 July 1976 (1976-07-02)
Country	Pakistan
Language	Urdu

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.

Plot

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.

Cast

• Shamim Ara as Zaib-un-Nisa
• Waheed Murad as Amjad Ali Khan
• Saleem Nasir as Bahadur Shah Zafar
• Aliya Begum as Rita
• Talish as Joseph
• Tamanna^[2]
• Sheikh Iqbal
• Munir Zarif
• Ghayyur Akhtar
• Irfan Khoosat