Palki [1967]
Palki had a similar storyline that of Paakezah. The film had the hero falling for a tawaif. He is hell bent on marrying her. Palki was actor Rajendra Kumar’s last attempt to salvage his sagging popularity. However the film was stalled due to unforeseen circumstances. Even if it had to be release, it would not match up to the glamour and grandeur of Kamaal Amrohi’s Paakezah.






Paakeezah [1972]
The film is about a courtesan's love for a mysterious man who she loses in the end. The film took years in the making seven to be precise and yet Meena Kumari's charm and charisma didn't fade even a teeny bit. Set in Lucknow, the film picked up business only after the actress's demise. Even today Pakeezah has timeless lure with melodious music and beautiful poetry like 'Chalte chalte' and 'Inhi logon ne', which will always remind us of the flawless performance by the legend, Meena Kumari. Paakeezah when released failed to create a stir at the box-office. In fact the film garnered very meager collections in the first week. But when the leading tragedy queen died of liver cancer, fans thronged to the theatres to catch of glimpse the last empress who had ruled the silver screen for so long. The film was then declared a hit. Director Kamaal Amrohi launched the film in 1956 but could release it in only in 1972.

Umrao Jaan [1981]
Umrao Jaan told the story of poetess Umrao Jaan who is sold to a kothewali for a paltry sum. When she is called to entertain some Lucknowi nawabs, she finds the place to be familiar. And realizes the just next door is her home when she had been born and brought. Eager and enthusiastic to meet her family members especially her younger brother whom she was attached to, she steps into the house, hoping to have a joyful reunion with them. But sadly her hopes shatter when her brother asks her to leave saying that she was now a kothewali and kothewali’s did not step into the homes of people with families. She goes away from there disillusioned. Rekha as Umrao Jaan was a revelation. The film fetched her, her first National Award.


Tawaif [1985]
A simpleton Rishi Kapoor is forced to give shelter to a tawaif Rati Agnihotri. He detests her presence initially but is soon attracted to her esepcailly when he learns that this woman who portrays to be vulgar is actually simple at heart. What further ignities the feeling of love is when she comes saves a young girl from eloping with her lover, knowing that he will sell her for money. The film was a huge hit and another feather in the cap for BR Chopra who gave audience varied entertainers.