Sardari Begum

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Sardari Begum
DVD cover
Directed by Shyam Benegal
Produced by Amit Khanna
Mahesh Bhatt
Written by Khalid Mohammed (Story & Screenplay)
Shama Zaidi (Dialogues & ad. Screenplay)
Starring Kiron Kher
Surekha Sikri
Amrish Puri
Rajit Kapur
Music by Vanraj Bhatia
Cinematography Sanjay Dharankar
Editing by Aseem Sinha
Release dates
  • 1996 (1996)
Running time 135 min
Country India
Language Urdu

Sardari Begum is a 1996 Hindi movie directed by Shyam Benegal. The film stars Kiron Kher, Amrish Puri, Rajit Kapur and Rajeshwari Sachdev.

The film's lead actress Kiron Kher won the 1997 National Film Award - Special Jury Award. Rajeshwari Sachdev won the 1997 National Film Award for Best Supporting Actress. The music by Vanraj Bhatia also received wide acclaim. Arati Ankalikar-Tikekar, the play back singer of the film also received accolades in the category of 'Best Playback Singer'.

This film focuses on the complex portrait of family relationships, generational and sexual politics as well as social mores in India. [1]


The police are called to investigate the death of a woman during a riot in the walled city of Delhi.[2] She was killed by a stone thrown by an agitated mob. The woman killed is known in the community as "Sardari Begum" (Kiron Kher), a popular singer and courtesan. The religious nature of the incident and the impending elections combine to attract the media's attention. When a young reporter covering the funeral, Tehzeeb Abbasi (Rajina Raj Bisaria), discovers her father among the mourners, her curiosity prompts her to investigate further. Then comes the revelation that the singer was in fact her aunt, who was disowned by her family for rebelliously learning music from a concubine.



Penned by Javed Akhtar, the songs of the film are composed by Vanraj Bhatia.

No. Title Singer(s) Length
1. "Chahe Maar Dalo Raja"   Asha Bhosle 02:51
2. "Raah Mein Bichhi Hai Palke"   Arati Ankalikar-Tikekar, Shubha Joshi 04:50
3. "More Kanha Jo Aaye"   Asha Bhosle 03:29
4. "Ghar Naahi Hamre Shyam"   Arati Ankalikar-Tikekar 04:14
5. "Ghir Ghir Aayee Badariya Kaari"   Arati Ankalikar-Tikekar 03:18
6. "More Kanha Jo Aaye"   Arati Ankalikar-Tikekar 03:20
7. "Saawariya Dekh Zara"   Shubha Joshi 05:30
8. "Chali Pee Ke Nagar"   Arati Ankalikar-Tikekar 05:32
9. "Raah Mein Bichhi Hai Palke"   Arati Ankalikar-Tikekar, Shubha Joshi 04:35
10. "Huzoor Itna Agar Hum Par"   Arati Ankalikar-Tikekar 04:31


The film won 3 awards at the 44th National Film Awards which were presented in July 1997.[4][5]

National Film Awards
Citation: For her role in the film, in which she depicts the aspirations and agony of a lonely teenage girl.
Citation: For excellent recreation of an era and showing dedication of an artist to music that defies all orthodox and conservative values.
Citation: For superb depiction of a dynamic person who breaks shackles of society and achieves excellence in her chosen profession.


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