Zubeidaa - The story starts with a kid discovering the past which revolves around his mother. As he grows up his thirst to know who his mother was, grows along with him.

Rajit Kapoor (a film journalist) is desperate to know the mystery behind the taunts over his mother, he has been hearing since childhood. He tries his best to get the coins out of his grandmom (Surekha Sikri) about who his mother was and why she left him alone. From here starts his chase for his mother’s identity and so starts the story of ZUBEIDA.

Zubeidaa comes in front of us as a teen aged girl trying to earn a career in films. But her father (Amrish Puri) who himself is a part of this film industry doesn’t like his daughter working in movies. So he goes forward with his thoughts and gets Zubeidaa married to his freind’s son. Zubeidaa soon has a baby boy in her arms. But the marriage doesn’t last for long, as her father has a verbal fight with her father in law. Zubeidaa’s husband gives her a divorce. Now she is left with a baby and the four dead corners of her house. As it is too much for a girl of her age, Aunty Rose (actress & her father’s mistress) comes to her aid by taking her out of her house to watch a polo match. Here Zubeidaa meets Prince Victor (Manoj Bajpai) who proposes a marriage to her soon. Now Zubeidaa has a choice to make - her child or her love. Her father lets her go, but without her son.

Zubeidaa enters a new royal world. Here she meets Mandakini (Rekha) Mandakini is Victor’s first wife and therefore the Maharani. Now after a few romantic months, Zubeidaa discovers Mandakini to be the first priority of her husband. What follows is the cold war between Mandakini’s royal status & Zubeidaa’s earthly needs. She soon discovers the love she had been longing for, the love she had gained in compromise for her son has turned out to be nothing but a illusion.

The climax of the movie is something one has to go through by himself/herself. U will carry a totally different outlook for the climax compared to the guy on the next seat. Something to watch out for, isn’t it?

The movie has been well-crafted. Do I have to say anything about the director (Shyam Benegal) The best part of the movie is that it has been directed by Shyam Benegal. A.R.Reheman’s music score is just the best. The movie doesn’t halt anywhere to add a song or two. And this makes the songs even more enjoyable. Cinematography is grand, showing the past & present tense with all the needed flavour.

On the acting front, Karisma as Zubeida has done a brilliant job. This must be the role of a lifetime for her. Zubeidaa demands an actress who could portray a girl growing into a woman, and on the way showing all the emotions a woman goes through. And Karisma has done it perfectly. Rekha is alwayz the best. She has performed the role of Mandakini graciously. Manoj Bajpai has little to do. He works out his role with simplicity. Rajit Kapoor has shown his anxiousness with reliability. He alwayz is reliable.

The movie is a must watch for all those who blame bollywood for not giving a good movie. Zubeidaa was one of the many, but even this one didn’t get it’s due.

Plot Revealed In The Review:	Somewhat revealed
Best to watch with:	Family
Movie Genre:	No Comment
Best part in the movie:	No Comment