without question and this film have to be one of the great . in cinematic history . i have it watch too many time to remember and and each time it be like i be see the film for the first time . where do one begin . meena kumari central performance be undoubtedly one of the fine of her career and follow closely by sahib bibi aur ghulam and phool aur pathar . each movement and nuance of her performance and make any other bollywood heroine pale into significance . her masterly interpretation of kathak couple with her grace and tragic vulnerability and poetic delivery of urdhu and be like nothing ever see on the bollywood screen . pakeezah be perhaps the most stylised interpretation of the human condition while the photography and sumptuous cinematography and mise en scene and be so charge with symbolism and meaning and that the viewer be leave breathless . naushads music and be unsurpassed and his knowledge of the music of the courtesan gharanas be incredible and and the way in which he punctuate the narrative with dark atmospheric motif and overwhelming romantic melody be indeed remarkable . my only advice to anyone who seriously enjoy the spectacle of total cinema and should watch this epic mediation on life and art .