Saaz

Saaz

Year: 1997

Runtime: 148 mins

Language: Hindi

Director: Sai Paranjape

MusicDrama

Mansi (Aruna Irani), the elder sister, is forced to become a professional singer after their father’s death in order to keep the family afloat. The story centers on the women’s experiences, following younger sister Bansi (Shabana Azmi) as she struggles to rediscover her own identity and assert her place within the household.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Saaz yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline – Saaz (1997)

Trace every key event in Saaz (1997) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Vrindavan dies, leaving Mansi and Bansi orphaned

The great singer Vrindavan dies due to alcoholism, leaving his daughters Mansi and Bansi without a parent. The sisters are suddenly orphaned and must navigate a harsh world without their father’s guidance. The loss shapes their hunger for recognition and fuels the ambitions that drive the rest of the story.

Family home
2

Mansi moves to Mumbai and rises to fame

Mansi relocates with Bansi to Mumbai to pursue music and make a living from her voice. She quickly rises to prominence as a professional singer, becoming a known name in the industry. Bansi watches, learns, and starts carving out a place for herself beside her sister.

Mumbai
3

Mansi's jealousy and Bansi's first obstacle

Bansi discovers her own singing talent, which sparks jealousy in Mansi as she fears losing her throne. Mansi schemes to block Bansi by arranging a marriage to a violent husband. The manipulation sets the sisters on a collision course that will threaten their bond and careers.

Mumbai
4

Bansi's abusive marriage and divorce

Bansi Endures physical and mental abuse from her husband, even after she becomes pregnant. Emily, her aunt, grows concerned for Kuhu's safety and intervenes to secure Bansi an honest divorce. The turmoil deepens the rift between the sisters while highlighting the cost of their ambitions.

Bansi's marital home
5

Mansi falls for a married music director

Mansi falls in love with Indruneil, a married music director. The romance complicates professional boundaries and intensifies the rivals' dynamic between the sisters. This relationship later influences who gets the recording opportunities and who is left behind.

Mumbai music scene
6

Indruneil recognizes Bansi and offers a chance

Indruneil recognizes Bansi's raw talent and introduces her to an opportunity to sing alongside Mansi. Out of jealousy, Mansi assigns Bansi as a background singer during the main recording. The situation marks the start of a bitter rivalry that shadows their sisterhood.

Recording studio
7

Bansi ascends on a new platform

Bansi seeks independence and is encouraged by a platform that lets her project her voice publicly. She wins over audiences, swiftly surpassing Mansi in popularity. The growing fame fuels a fierce, increasingly public feud between the sisters, including snatching of national opportunities.

Stage and music platform
8

Indruneil's career decline and break

Indruneil's career falters while he and Bansi continue a live-in relationship. The instability takes a toll on Bansi, who sees her partner quitting the music world. The personal fallout compounds the strain between the sisters as their paths diverge further.

Their shared home
9

A decade apart and a tragic reunion

Ten years pass and the sisters reunite at a felicitation function in the theater where their father performed. During Mansi's performance, she suffers a terminal blood cancer diagnosis, and she repents for the way she treated Bansi. The event marks a turning point in their relationship and in their lives.

ten years later Theater where their father performed
10

Kuhu and Himaan enter the picture

Kuhu faces her own challenges as she pursues singing while a new music director, Himaan Desai, enters their lives. Kuhu loves Himaan, who returns her feelings but actually cares for Bansi. The dynamic creates a heartbreak where Bansi is torn between loyalty to her sister and her own feelings.

after the felicitation Music industry circles
11

Tragedy and separation

Himaan dies in a car accident, a loss that Bansi witnesses and struggles to accept. The death deepens Bansi's trauma and pushes her toward a breaking point in her career and personal life.

Car, during an event or drive
12

Therapy and the vow to stop singing

The story unfolds through flashbacks as Bansi opens up to her psychiatrist, Dr. Parikshit Sahni. Traumatized by Himaan's death, she loses her singing voice and vows never to sing again. The doctor-patient relationship becomes a central frame for her healing journey.

after Himaan's death Therapy sessions
13

A comeback begins on foreign shores

With the help of the psychiatrist, Bansi slowly regains her confidence. During a foreign tour with Kuhu, a major award is won by Kuhu, reigniting Bansi's passion for singing. The turnaround is a turning point that sets the stage for a final return.

during the tour Foreign trip
14

Bansi returns to the stage

At a function honoring Kuhu's achievements, Bansi performs a song originally sung by her father and announces her return to singing. The performance symbolizes reconciliation with her past and a renewed sense of purpose. The crowd witnesses her comeback and resilience.

return to singing Function honoring Kuhu
15

A new bond formed

Bansi records a performance and sends it to her psychiatrist, thanking him for his help. He congratulates her at the airport, and proposes a friendship beyond their professional relationship. Bansi accepts, and they leave together, marking a hopeful new chapter.

Airport

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 11:09

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These films are grouped by their shared thematic core: exploring the deep, often dark connection between artistic brilliance and human suffering. They share a melancholic tone and a heavy emotional weight, focusing on the internal and external costs of a creative life.

Unlock the Full Story of Saaz

Don't stop at just watching — explore Saaz in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Saaz is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Saaz Summary

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Saaz Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in Saaz

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Saaz

Saaz Spoiler-Free Summary

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Saaz Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Saaz

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