Year: 1985
Runtime: 160 mins
Language: Hindi
Director: B.R. Chopra
After a courtesan inadvertently takes shelter in the home of a modest, respectable man, she conceals her true profession and tries to blend into respectable society. As she grows close to him, she falls in love, but the stigma of her past prevents any hope of a lasting union.
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Dawood Mohammed Ali Khan Yusufzai, Rishi Kapoor is an orphan who grows up at a community home run by Ameena Bai, Sushma Seth who treats him like her own son. He works at Kitaab Gher, a publishing house owned by Mr. Nigam. One day, Dawood finds a manuscript on a bus that bears the writer’s name and address, and his curiosity leads him to seek out Kaynat Mirza, Poonam Dhillon, a young and beautiful woman. He also arranges a meeting between Kaynat and Sulaiman, Deepak Parashar, the editor of the publishing house, hoping for a connection that might shape his future.
That night, a distraught knock comes at his door. Rahim Shaikh, Kader Khan, a mafia lord, barges in with a bejeweled woman and pressures Dawood to let her stay the night or face dire consequences. The next morning, Ameena Bai and the others assume the woman is Dawood’s wife and prepare a celebratory feast, leaving Dawood frustrated as he tries to explain the truth of the situation. The woman is Sultana, a courtesan bought by Rahim to be sold to the highest bidder. Before the bidding can proceed, the police arrive and Rahim flees with Sultana. He is arrested, but his goons warn Dawood and Sultana to stay together until Rahim is released and can reclaim her.
Word of a possible marriage between Dawood and Kaynat reaches the office, and colleagues push for a grand feast. Sultana takes matters into her own hands and arranges the feast by selling her jewels. Rahim is released, and Sultana strikes a cautious deal with him to return in a couple of days. In a moment of courage, Sultana rescues a neighbor girl from a con man, a gesture that earns Dawood’s respect and softens his view of her.
Kaynat Mirza’s novel is published, and Dawood and Kaynat confess their love for each other. Sulaiman sends Dawood to Kaynat’s home to help set up a marriage between them, but Kaynat refuses; she is also told about Dawood’s first wife. This revelation casts a shadow over Dawood’s choices and deepens the emotional tension surrounding their future.
Devastated, Kaynat visits Sultana. Sultana clarifies the situation with Kaynat and her mother, Ashalata Wabgaonkar. The next morning, after sending Dawood to the office, she bids Ameena Bai and the neighborhood farewell under the pretense of visiting a sick mother. She tries to escape but is intercepted by Rahim Shaikh, a moment Kaynat witnesses and follows. Kaynat’s realization that Dawood truly loves Sultana shifts the dynamic, and she encourages him to bring Sultana back into his life.
Dawood’s attempt to rescue Sultana leads to a brutal confrontation with Rahim, who questions whether society will accept a wife like Sultana. Ameena Bai returns with the entire neighborhood and Mr. Nigam to publicly affirm their acceptance of Sultana. In the end, Rahim is arrested, and Sultana and Dawood’s union becomes the lasting answer to the turmoil that surrounded them.
Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 14:47
Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.
Romantic dramas where a concealed past threatens a forbidden love.If you enjoyed the romantic tension of Tawaif, you'll love these movies about forbidden love and secret identities. Discover similar dramatic stories where characters conceal their pasts for acceptance, featuring hopeful narratives, themes of social stigma, and uplifting redemptive arcs.
The narrative pattern typically involves a protagonist with a scandalous past or identity entering a conservative society under false pretenses. As they build genuine relationships, especially a romantic one, the weight of their deception grows. The plot builds towards an inevitable revelation, forcing characters to confront prejudice and fight for acceptance, often culminating in a redemptive resolution.
Movies in this thread are grouped by their shared focus on the emotional stakes of a hidden identity within a love story. They blend romance with dramatic tension, explore themes of social judgment versus personal truth, and often follow a hopeful, character-driven journey towards reconciliation or acceptance.
Character-driven journeys of outcasts seeking acceptance and a fresh start.Find movies like Tawaif that focus on uplifting stories of redemption. These films feature characters overcoming social stigma and seeking acceptance, blending dramatic tension with a hopeful tone and a satisfying, happy ending for a emotionally resonant experience.
Stories in this thread follow a protagonist marked by a societal stain—be it profession, past mistakes, or background—as they attempt to integrate into a respectable community. The conflict arises from external judgment and internal shame. The journey is one of proving one's worth, often aided by a benevolent figure, culminating in a public vindication or acceptance that affirms their humanity and grants them a new beginning.
These movies are united by their core theme of redemption and their fundamentally hopeful outlook. They balance the weight of social issues with a steady, character-focused pacing and an emotionally rewarding resolution, creating a specific vibe of empathetic drama that ultimately uplifts the viewer.
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Track the full timeline of Tawaif with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.
Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Tawaif. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.
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