Zubeidaa (2001)

Director: Shyam Benegal Story & Screenplay: Khalid Mohamed Cast: Karisma Kapoor, Rekha, Manoj Bajpai, Amrish Puri, Surekha Sikri, Lillete Dubey, Rajit Kapoor, Farida Jalal & Seema Pahwa Lyrics: Javed Akhtar Music: A.R. Rahman In the array of Hindi cinema, where each film weaves its own unique story, "Zubeidaa" emerges as a rich, intricate embroidery that stands out for its storytelling, character portrayal, and cinematic execution. Directed by the venerable Shyam Benegal, a luminary known for his contribution to parallel cinema in India, "Zubeidaa" is not just a film; it is an exploration of identity, love, and the pursuit of freedom, wrapped in the opulent yet tragic real-life story of Zubeidaa, played with unforgettable grace by Karisma Kapoor.