Begum Jaan

A small family and a young couple ride a late-night public bus. Drunken goons board the bus and harass the couple, threatening violence. An elderly woman intervenes by undressing to distract the attackers and shields the girl.

The film flashes back to 1947, as India gains independence and Cyril Radcliffe is tasked with drawing the border. He splits Punjab and Bengal, creating what becomes the Radcliffe Line. The looming partition sets the historical backdrop for Begum Jaan's story.

With a month's notice to vacate, Begum Jaan's brothel faces eviction. Hari and Ilyas recruit Kabir, a feared killer, to intimidate the women. The crew moves to pressure the residents into leaving.

Kabir and his men terrorize Begum Jaan's brood; they kill Begum Jaan's beloved dogs and even feed their meat to the women as a warning. The women are shaken but resolve to resist. The threat marks a turning point toward organized defense.

Raja Sahib returns to deliver the grim news that all efforts to save the brothel have failed. Begum Jaan learns she must vacate, hardening her stance. The eviction ultimatum cements the conflict with the partition authorities.

Despite the looming eviction, Begum Jaan declares she'd rather die in her house than on the streets. She orders Salim to train every girl to fight back with weapons. Intensive practice sessions become the brothel's new heartbeat.

Kabir ambushes Sujeet on his way from the market with a few girls, killing him and sacrificing his life. The act deepens Begum Jaan's resolve and escalates the fight for survival. Tensions rise as the group prepares for further confrontations.

Masterji, Laadli's teacher who loves Begum Jaan, schemes to kill her. He convinces Gulabo to run away from the brothel, betraying Begum Jaan. Gulabo escapes, but the rift within the community widens.

Gulabo is driven away by Masterji and later is assaulted by his accomplices inside a horse carriage. She survives and vows vengeance against those who betrayed her. The betrayal adds fuel to the fire burning through the brothel.

On the night of partition, Kabir and his men assault the brothel. Laadli, her mother, and Shabnam are attacked by policeman Shyam Singh who seeks personal gain. Laadli undresses herself, triggering a moment of vulnerability that unsettles the attacker.

Gulabo returns during the assault and slits Masterji's throat as he watches the chaos unfold. He is later beaten by his own accomplices, and Gulabo dies from the injuries she has endured. The cycle of violence deepens, sealing many fates.

Torches are thrown into the burning building and the brothel is engulfed in flames. Begum Jaan and her surviving companions fight the fire but are overwhelmed. They choose to die in their home, and Amma narrates the tale of Rani Padmavati to honor their valiant stand.

After the carnage, Ilyas and Hari feel remorse for their actions. Ilyas shoots himself, ending the cycle of violence. The brothel lies in ruins, marking the end of Begum Jaan's era.

In the present, the old woman revealed to be Laadli undresses to save a couple, echoing the movie's opening. The goons flee in fear, and the elderly Laadli helps the injured couple before fading from view. The circle closes with the same act that started the tale.