Top 5 Bollywood Films on Sex Workers

Begum Jaan, Srijit Mukherji’s re-creation of his Bengali film Rajkahini, is going to hit theatres across the country on April 14. Vidya Balan plays the madam of a brothel that finds itself divided, as a newly-chalked LOC is drawn between India and Pakistan circa 1947. The trailer featuring the rebellion of a group of female sex-workers against government officials, has attracted much curiosity.

Balan and her gang of girls have mentioned that Begum Jaan, apart from its setting in 1947 newly Independent India, essentially depicts the dilemma and struggle of sex workers. This is not the first time that Bollywood is presenting the story of sex workers but there are few which have left an indelible mark on Indian Cinema.

Here's a list of Top 5 Bollywood films showcasing the lives and challenges faced by Sex Workers:

1) Pakeezah (1972)

Kamal Amrohi's Pakeezah is a cult classic film unlike any other in the past, present and maybe in future. Starring the tragedy queen of Indian Cinema, Meena Kumari in the titular role, the film co-starred other legendary actors like Raaj Kumar, Ashok Kumar and Nadira. The music by Ghulam Mohammed and Naushad Ali and Lata Mangeshkar's singing still gives goosebumps to its listeners.

Pakeezah tells the story set in Muslim Lucknow at the turn of the century, its central character is a Lucknowi nautch-girl, for her to fall in love was forbidden, it was a sin she was told, a nautch-girl is born to delight others such is her destiny and yet her restless soul could not suppress her surging desire - "To Love and Be Loved". It was ostensibly, or loosely based on Kamal Amrohi and Meena Kumari's own love story.

Pakeezah took 16 years to reach the silver screen. Pakeezah released on 3 February 1972, with a grand premiere at Maratha Mandir theatre in central Mumbai and Meena Kumari attended the last premiere of her life along with Kamal Amrohi.

Already battling liver cirrhosis, Meena Kumari was ill throughout the completion of the film and died only a few weeks after it was finally released. It was Meena Kumari’s last great performance and one that solidified her reputation as a legendary actress.

2) Umrao Jaan (1981)

Muzaffar Ali's Umrao Jaan starred Rekha in the title role and tells the story of a Lucknow courtesan and her rise to fame. The film was Based on the 1905 Urdu Umrao Jaan Ada.

The film, with a stellar cast including Far0oq Sheikh, Naseeruddin Shah, Raj Babbar, Shaukat Kaifi and Dina Pathak, became an instant cult classic with its story, the award winning performances, Khayyam's music, Shahryar's lyrics and Asha Bhosle's top-notch playback singing. JP Dutta tried to recreate the magic with Aishwarya Rai with his own take on the story in 2006 but failed miserably; chiefly because Ali's Umrao Jaan is legendary.

3) Bazaar (1982)

Sagar Sarhadi's Bazaar starring Naseeruddin Shah, Farooq Shaikh, Smita Patil and Supriya Pathak was set in Hyderabad and highlighted the issue of bride buying in India, through the tragedy of a young girl being sold by needy parents to affluent expartraite Indians in the Gulf. Unlike other films on sex-workers, this film dared to speak about a topic that was very much known yet not even acknowledged inside the four walls of a then household.

The film has sterling performances from almost all the cast and is akin to some other movies in the 1980s which highlighted oppression by the rich and powerful. Bazaar ('marketplace') is a realistic portrayal and highlights a system which is difficult to change.

Songs like Karoge Yaad To Har Baat Yaad Aayegi have become metaphors for Indian society.

4) Mandi (1983)

Shyam Benegal's Mandi is a satirical comedy on politics and prostitution, and stars Shabana Azmi, Naseeruddin Shah and Smita Patil. Based on a classic Urdu short story Aanandi by writer Ghulam Abbas, the film narrates the story of a brothel, situated in the heart of a city, an area that some politicians want for its prime locality.

From 1982's Arth to 1983's Mandi, Indian Cinema got extreme fortunate to have two of its greatest actresses cast for the same movie. It was not just their talent that is legendary, but their extreme rivalry as both used to be first for any and every author backed role being written. With Benegal's Mandi, the two performers, along with Naseeruddin Shah and a stellar supporting cast, cast classic cinema in every frame of the movie.

5) Chandni Bar (2001)

Madhur Bhandarkar's first rise to fame, Chandni Bar, depicts the gritty life of the Mumbai underworld, including prostitution, dance bars and gun crime. The film starred Tabu and Atul Kulkarni in lead roles, alongside Ananya Khare, Rajpal Yadav, Minakshi Sahani and Vishal Thakkar. 

Tabu essayed the role of Mumtaz, who is forced to move to Mumbai after her family was killed in communal riots in UP's Sitapur but is forced to take prostitution as her big city career for the sake of her remaining family. 

The film was a critically acclaimed hit and won multiple National Film Awards.