A movie directed by Shyam Benegal is bound to create waves and especially if it has an army of acclaimed actors and actresses from the world of entertainment, the sparks are sure to fly.The kind of movie which Zubeida is, it is one of its kind.An indescribably beautiful storyline with charismatic and ravishing Karishma Kapoor haunting the major portion of the movie.
The lead character of Zubeida is portrayed by Karishma Kapoor and as a spectator I must admit that she shouldered the responsibility with enormous grace.I can’t even imagine any other actress who might have done justice to the neatly sketched out character of Zubeida.
The lady with gorgeous looks depicted the role of a bubbly enthusiastic young girl who wants to accomplish her dreams in the media profession but her conservative and strict father, the role enacted by late Amrish Puri, buries her burning desire to become an actress. Karishma is seen swaying her body to the beats of “Main Albeli” in the first shot of the movie and her own son is seen watching her glimpses in a theatre with his Nani Ma.
The story begins in a flashback orientation with the headstrong Karishma fighting against dogmas and arguing against them with her father who persistently pours cold water on her ambitious pursuits.She is forcibly married off to a man who is the son of her father’s friend.The marriage does not work out and she has to bear the child of the concerned man she got married with.
A flamboyant and dazzling beauty that she is, Zubeida comes across a prince of Rajasthan through her aunt , who is a friend of Amrish Puri in the movie.
The aunt’s role is played by Lillette Dubey, a renowned name in the media circuit.
Zubi as she is lovingly termed by her mother, falls in love with this dashing Prince, the role enacted by Manoj Vajpayee.She decides to marry him much to the dismay of her family and leaves behind her son from her former husband in her mother’s caretaking.Amrish Puri is seen as a heartbroken father who silently accepts the new turn in Zubeida’s life.
Zubeida arrives at the palace amidst fanfare and pomp and show, characteristic of a typical Rajasthani royal family.The prince already has a responsible wife, the role enacted by Rekha. Rekha and Karishma shared the screen together for the first time and were looking immensely striking in their respective roles.
Only Karishma could have rubbed shoulders with a powerful actress like Rekha.This is a conclusion drawn after watching the two paired together.
The songs picturised on Karishma Kapoor and Manoj Vajpayee have a truly aesthetic appeal. Manoj Vajpayee also has a brother who eyes the beautiful Karishma Kapoor and even tries to misbehave with her.
Karishma is literally obsessed with Manoj Vajpayee in this movie and keeps on craving for his attention , who has to strike a balance between both the wives.
Manoj Vajpayee decides to fight elections and is on the verge of winning them and plans to go on a political campaign with his first wife.Karishma is unable to accept this situation and starts screaming in despair.She arrives at the spot where the helicopter is ready to get the couple and creates a scene much to the confusion of the rest of the people.Manoj Vajpayee is forced to accompany her to a journey which turns out to be the last journey in their life.
Both die due to a tragic helicopter crash and their romance also meets a natural death.This is the story which is being narrated by mother of Zubeida to her daughter’s son with tears in her eyes over the death of her beloved daughter.