Tawaif

Tawaif

Year: 1985

Runtime: 160 mins

Language: Hindi

Director: B.R. Chopra

RomanceDrama

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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Timeline & Setting – Tawaif (1985)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Tawaif (1985). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

India

An urban Indian setting where a publishing house, a community home, and a courtesan's circle intersect. The neighborhood acts as a microcosm of society, balancing respectability with desire. The atmosphere blends literary ambition with underworld threats, illustrating the era's social mores.

🎭 Drama 🏙️ Urban 🕰️ Historical

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:06

Main Characters – Tawaif (1985)

Meet the key characters of Tawaif (1985), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Dawood Mohammed Ali Khan Yusufzai (Rishi Kapoor)

An orphan raised by Ameena Bai, Dawood works at Kitaab Gher and is treated like family. He is loyal, hopeful, and protective of those who shelter him. He becomes torn between his growing love for Sultana and the social expectations surrounding his life.

🎯 Ambitious ❤️ Romantic 🤝 Loyal

Kaynat Mirza (Poonam Dhillon)

A young, beautiful writer whose manuscript Dawood helps bring to life. She embodies independence and artistic ambition and is wary of love complicating her career. She discovers Dawood's affection while navigating social norms.

🎨 Creative 💪 Independent ❤️ Reserved

Sultana (Rati Agnihotri)

A courtesan purchased by Rahim Shaikh to be resold. She shows resilience by rescuing a neighbor girl and earns Dawood's respect. Ultimately, she and Dawood unite, challenging the boundaries of love and social status.

🎭 Performative 🔥 Passionate 🤝 Loyal

Rahim Sheikh (Kader Khan)

A mafia lord who uses Sultana to further his control. He is ruthless and cunning, forcing Dawood to confront threats to their relationship. His schemes meet resistance as the community closes in on his power.

💀 Menace 🕶️ Ruthless 💬 Manipulative

Ameena Bai (Sushma Seth)

The motherly figure who runs a community home and treats Dawood as her own. She champions acceptance and supports the lovers, organizing social gatherings to bridge worlds. Her kindness anchors the film's moral center.

🤝 Nurturing 🏠 Family-first 🧭 Guiding

Mr. Nigam (Ashok Kumar)

Owner and figurehead of Kitaab Gher, the publishing house. He embodies respectability and provides the space for literature to flourish, while backing Dawood's and Kaynat's ambitions. His support helps legitimize the union in the eyes of the community.

🏛️ Respectable 📚 Publisher 👐 Supportive

Sulaiman (Deepak Parashar)

Editor at Kitaab Gher who nudges Dawood to pursue his marriage with Kaynat. He acts as a catalyst, coordinating the publishing and matchmaking elements that drive the plot.

🎯 Facilitator 🧠 Strategic 🗣️ Persuasive

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:06

Major Themes – Tawaif (1985)

Explore the central themes of Tawaif (1985), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

❤️ Love vs Society

Dawood's affection for Sultana clashes with social expectations and Kaynat's presence. The film probes how romance is weighed by class, reputation, and tradition. Dawood must decide between personal happiness and communal acceptance. The neighborhood's eventual acceptance signals a fragile victory of love over convention.

🎭 Performance & Power

Sultana's art as a courtesan is both a source of her power and her vulnerability. The publishing world and the underworld treat people as commodities, blurring lines between performance and reality. Dawood's choices are influenced by appearances, charm, and the audience around him. The story uses performance to critique social hierarchies.

🤝 Community & Redemption

Ameena Bai, Mr. Nigam, and the neighborhood rally to accept Sultana and Dawood's union. The film suggests that communal support can validate love beyond conventional norms. Redemption comes through compassion, solidarity, and the courage to defy stigma.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:06

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Tawaif Summary

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Tawaif Summary

Tawaif Timeline

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Tawaif Timeline

More About Tawaif

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