Original subtitles

Who's there?

-You? -Greetings!

Hold on. I'm coming.

You? Here? Everything all right?

Yes, Fareedan aapa sent your letter.

This is mine. But I did not write this letter.

Don't joke.

I left my ammi behind, my debut ceremony to come to you.

Debut? You're a tawaif?

No, I am not a tawaif.

-I wrote it in my letter. -Which letter?

That day at Anarkali's shrine...

I did not come.

It's my mistake. I did not even ask for a name, let alone profession.

I will say it again, I am not a tawaif.

My debut has not happened in Heeramandi.

But you were born and raised there, right?

-Go back where you came from. -But I cannot go back.

And you cannot stay here.

I've been tricked.

And I was deceived.

May God be with you.

Bibi! Fareedan bibi.

Do you know what happened in Shahi Mahal?

All the candles were put out before the debut.

It was terrible, I tell you!

What's so terrible about it, Ustaadji?

It was just a matter of time.

Last time, my halls were in darkness.

Tonight, it's khalajaan's.

Be honest, was this your doing?

Good Lord!

I am not that cruel.

Come on, let's celebrate Mallikajaan's defeat.

You want to perform before such a large crowd?

Wali sahab will be offended.

Hey, hey, Bibi! Perfume.

This is not a performance, Ustaadji. This is a feast.

In English, it is called a party. Do you understand?

From now on at Khwabgah, tawaifs won't be the only ones who dance

nawabs and the British will dance as well.

Bibi, don't let this happen.

If they all dance, what happens to the tawaifs?

All of this will disappear.

If they don't keep up with the times, tawaifs will disappear anyway.

Ammijaan, I think the police...

What are you doing?

Ammijaan!

I had an uncle who was a goldsmith once.

He used to say, "Only when gold is cast in fire does it become pure."

But not everybody can understand the value of pure gold.

Ammi.

Ammi.

Ammi.

How can someone be so beautiful?

You're gonna charm everyone today, Bibi.

-Fareedan! -Wali sahab!

Where were you? I've been waiting so long for you.

If it's me you were waiting for,

then why are so many people here?

Fareedan will only ever perform for you.

I have only organized a party.

The city's elite, the nawabs, the British have all come.

Especially in your honor.

-Fareedan, I don't like such extravagance. -Just come with me. Come on.

Ladies and gentlemen.

The person you've all been waiting for has arrived.

Lahore's most charming, most handsome,

most beloved, Wali sahab.

Our Wali sahab.

Should I inform the police?

No. No.

Cartwright would never help us.

You inform Zulfikar sahab.

Alam should not cross the borders of Lahore under any circumstances.

Bibbojaan!

Bibbojaan!

I'm hosting a party for Wali sahab. Come on over.

Hey, Khalajaan, you should come too.

I will introduce you to my new friend, Cartwright.

The lights seem to have gone out at your place.

But my night has just lit up.

-Get in. -Why?

-It's late. -So?

You can't sit here alone this late at night.

You should have thought of this before closing the door on my face.

Don't argue. Let's go.

I'll drop you back to Heeramandi.

So my ammi can turn me into a tawaif?

I said I will not go to Heeramandi.

Did I say that I'm taking you to Heeramandi?

I want to spend my evenings Wrapped in your magical arms

I want to spend my evenings Wrapped in your magical arms

Shower me with the treasure of your love

Let's promise to be together...

Let's promise to be together...

Let's promise to be together...

Every inch of my velvety body Is drunk in your love

Come and quench your thirst

Every inch of my velvety body Is drunk in your love

Come and quench your thirst

I am uncontrollable

I've taken the liberty To fall in love with you

Let's promise to be together...

Let's promise...

Let's promise...

Madam! Look at what Fareedan has brought upon us.

Will the British dance instead of the tawaifs in Heeramandi now?

Will our performances be replaced by such obscene parties?

Madam!

Madam!

I am sleeping.

You can stay here tonight.

And lock the door from inside before sleeping.

Good night.

Would you like something to eat?

What are you looking at?

No... Nothing.

Hurry up, I am feeling sleepy.

Now what?

Not that fast. It is not good for health.

What?

Well...

If someone sees you before you leave in the morning,

then tell them that you are my friend Sarfaraz's sister.

And what is Sarfaraz's sister's name?

Alamzeb.

Would that work?

Very well.

Be ready to leave in the morning. Where should I take you?

Anywhere.

Ammijaan, is there any news?

Zulfikar sahab, police, goons, everyone is searching for Alam.

Lahore is a small city. Where will she go?

I think this is Fareedan's doing, Aapa.

Time has played it's part too.

But you shouldn't worry.

I will turn the whole of Lahore inside-out.

When she was here, Alam was safe.

The outside world will tear her apart.

But what else could she do?

-You've never given her peace... -Please be quiet, Khalajaan!

Ammijaan, I am going to the Dargah.

You must know where Alam is.

-If I did, I would've told... -You are her confidant.

She tells you everything. You must have also talked about love.

One needs freedom to fall in love, Ammijaan.

And to be free one must rebel.

The one whom I considered a piece of my heart,

rebelled against me.

Go. Pray.

Even Saima is missing, Madam. Please find her as well.

Keep this carefully.

This is my child's.

Alamzeb will return. I will find her.

Lahore is a small city. Where will she go?

-Madam. -I will...

Lahore is a small city.

I will find her. Where will she go?

Lahore is a small city. Where will she go?

Come, let's go in now.

Oh, God, I am getting so much exercise after a long time.

My bones have aged before I could.

Good morning, Qudsia.

Not good morning, say thank you.

Your guest was leaving unnoticed. I stopped her.

Not just stopped. We laughed, talked a lot, took a walk in the garden.

She is a gem.

If she had gone without meeting us,

what face would you have shown to Sarfaraz?

Tell me!

-Sarfaraz who? -My brother. Who else?

Saz!

We friends fondly call him Saz.

He suddenly had to go to Rawalpindi on some government work last night.

He's a government officer.

And the situation in the city is rather bad, so...

Who'd know better about the situation than you?

-These damn rioters have destroyed... -He will return by this evening,

and he will take her with him.

Why? We don't even let our troubles go away in a day.

How can I let such a sweet girl go?

Please tell Sarfaraz,

that he can take as long as he likes to complete his work.

Sarfaraz!

I haven't heard about him before.

Yes, he was with me in... Oxford... Oxford.

-He is a new friend. -So, then it is decided.

This child will stay with us a few more days.

You let him know. Go, call him.

-Tajdar! Go. -Yes. Yes.

Look, Balraj is here.

Bibbojaan, you here?

-Alam is with Tajdar, right? -Yes...

I came from Baloch Haveli. Alam is very happy.

She is getting along well with Tajdar's dadijaan.

-You are worrying for nothing. -Of course, I'll worry.

Alam's still a child, and she has never been outside Shahi Mahal alone, so...

All right. Let's get you some great tea.

-Shafeek miyan. -No, no.

I'm going to the Dargah to pray.

Alam got the mansion, hope she gets a home as well.

-May God be with you. -Yes. May God be with you.

Have you ever thought about this, Phatto?

That when Iqbal returns from jail and asks for Saima,

what will we tell him?

Men may endure their lover's betrayal,

but they can't bear their beloved's helplessness.

So let Saima remain unfaithful

in Iqbal's eyes.

Oh, my! You'll be the death of me!

All of this has led to a complaint being sent up.

All the tawaifs have gone to Guild Hall to complain to Phuphi,

saying, "If this mansion isn't shut down, then the rest will be."

What else do they do other than complain?

REVOLUTION

-Is this what you came to say? -No, Bibi.

I came to tell you that Wali sahab is upset with you.

You will not find such a virtuous nawab in all of Lahore, Bibi.

I brought him here with great difficulty,

and you said those foul things to his Bibbojaan right in front of him.

So what? Should I've sung to her?

Don't you worry. Wali sahab won't be upset for too long.

-Bibi, if you convince him... -He'll bring himself back here.

Once a man has shared his bed with Fareedan,

he can never sleep alone.

No wonder,

Wali sahab sends a tribute even if he's upset.

Bibi, I have counted it, it's all there.

By the way, I don't see anybody out front. Where have they disappeared?

They're all mourning Alam's escape.

Any news about the child?

No idea. She just vanished into thin air.

Oh, Bibi.

-Tajdar sahab, may I come in? -Come in.

-May I have a pen and paper? -Why?

-You want to write home? -No.

Sometimes I just write down whatever my heart fancies.

-For example? -For example...

Poems.

You write poems?

Read me a poem.

Some other time.

Okay.

I request your attention...

Go on.

Look at me but once... And make me hopelessly yours

I am ready to burn for you Make me a moth to your flame

What do you think?

Go away.

Your dadijaan has more of an interest in my poems than you do.

She says I will become a very big poet one day.

-Can I make a request? -Yes?

Do not get too close to Qudsia.

When you leave, it will hurt her terribly.

But I didn't talk to her much...

Look, even abbujaan was asking when Sarfaraz will come.

I handled him this time, but I can't do that again.

-But there is nobody named Sarfaraz. -Then we'll get one.

Ever wondered where Alamzeb will go when Sarfaraz comes?

No matter what happens, I won't go back to Heeramandi.

Alam!

Hold it up properly, Bibbojaan!

Fix my crest for me.

I am performing after a long time, and that too for an Englishman.

I'll sing so well that General Henderson will swear himself to me.

Yes.

You stay here for the nawabs.

I will go away to London with the Englishman.

Cheers, everyone. Drink up.

The way you look at me

Takes my breath away...

The way you look at me

Takes my breath away...

The way you look at me...

The way you look at me...

Takes my breath away...

The way you look at me...

The way you look at me

Takes my breath away...

The way you look at me...

Call for a doctor...

Call for a doctor...

Call for a doctor...

To come and treat my illness

Oh, God...

To come and treat my illness

The way you look at me...

The way you look at me

Takes my breath away...

Takes my breath away...

Takes my breath away...

The way you look at me Takes my breath away...

Bibbojaan! Stop.

Bibbo, stop! Bibbo, stop!

-You're absolutely first class, fantastic. -Come. Let's go.

Bibbo, stop! Bibbo, stop.

Bibbo!

Nobody wants to see me happy.

Bibbo, you wretch.

-Madam, why are you making a scene here? -You stole my sahab.

I'll make a scene now.

Aapa!

Where's the owner of this hotel?

-Call him! -Hey, Madam.

Open room number 316. Open it now!

-Calm down, this is a hotel. -Hotel? This is not a hotel.

This is a bigger brothel than Heeramandi.

Shameless women come here to sleep with men.

-This happens here. -See this drama?

Security!

-I'm listening. -Madam!

This is the life of tawaifs.

Alam ran away from this life, to you.

If you send Alam back to Heeramandi,

she will become a part of this filth.

Alam bibi, you'll celebrate Eid with us, right?

Maybe.

Alamzeb!

Alamzeb, are you inside?

Little Nawab, I am also here, Sharafat.

And think before you speak.

Your brother Sarfaraz has sent a letter.

-Are you listening? -Yes.

He will come back after a month.

You can stay here peacefully.

Listen.

Yes?

Can you write a letter to Sarfaraz bhaijaan and ask him...

What?

If I can stay here peacefully for two months.

Yes. Of course.

This is an useless queen.

This is an useless queen.

Now I will stay here.

Oh, wow! So apparently I run an orphanage that I have no idea about.

I am not joking, Fareedan.

I will join you to destroy Mallikajaan.

Can you not see there's a whole gathering here?

What's the need to say these things around everybody? Get inside!

What happened that you packed all your stuff and came here?

That evil-spawn, Mallikajaan,

she cannot stand to see anybody happy, Fareedan.

First she consumed your ammi, now she's all set to polish us off.

Will you tell me what happened?

Mallika took my sahab from me and gave him to my daughter.

And Mallika's daughter Bibbo...

I performed after so many years,

I was about to land an English sahab, that Henderson.

That bitch Bibbo robbed me even of that joy.

Everyone knows both the mother and daughter are evil.

Now what will you do?

I will take revenge. You call your Cartwright.

I will be the witness.

I am a witness as well, Khala.

But a witness after so many years is worthless.

We need proof.

They are playing cards inside and it's my turn.

Now, you go. Don't leave the house for every small thing.

Is the file on Rehana appa's murder good enough?

I happen to have that file.

That file which the police, Mallikajaan and you are looking for.

Where is that file?

-In this box? -At Shahi Mahal. I have kept it safe.

Well, then, hurry up and get it.

I'll have your luggage set up in your room by then.

Be back soon. I will be anxiously waiting for you.

Waiting for me or the file?

Hey, Khala! You misunderstood.

Let's go, Tajdar sahab, pull the car out. I'm taking dadijaan for Eid shopping...

The driver will take you, I don't have the time right now.

I'm sorry!

No problem. But please come along.

Dadijaan will like it, and so will I.

That is fine.

But I have told you a million times to stay away from Qudsia.

Her heart will break when you leave.

But you have charmed her.

Why are you always so rude to me?

Do I bother you?

Then why have I stayed here all this time?

I am not bothered by you, but by the circumstances.

The place that I used to hate, I fell in love...

With a girl from there.

-I did not say that. -But I heard that.

This purse will look great on you, Ustaadji.

Oh, brother, even pennies will not fit in this tiny purse.

-Show me that one. -What will you do with such a big purse?

I'll slap it on my head.

I had prayed at the Dargah that I should get a big Eidi.

But even God would be upset after seeing these tiny purses of yours.

When are the new pieces expected?

Between the revolutionaries' rallies,

and the police riot-control measures, no new merchandise is coming in.

God knows when this situation will get better.

Run me over? You bastard...

Ashfaq, at least take a look at these Eid presents.

This Lucknowi kurta for our Taj.

And these diamond bracelets for my darling Alam.

And sarees for myself.

-And for me? -Bill.

Go and give it to him.

There is a gold pocket watch for you.

I didn't know my time was this precious.

Ammijaan, did you not get anything for Sarfaraz sahab.

Your brother. He is coming for Eid, right?

-He is a bit busy, but... -How busy is he?

He said two days and it's been a month.

It is Eid next week.

He wrote in his letter that he would come in a month,

and maybe he won't get time-off for Eid.

I will write a letter to his officer. He will get the time-off.

You bring the letter, it must have Sarfaraz's address.

Yes.

-Go bring it. -Yes.

Taj! Oh, God, what happened?

What happened?

How did you get hurt?

The path he's on, Ammijaan, it only leads to injuries.

Qudsia, tell him that these are not wounds, but scars.

Today it's scars, tomorrow there will be wounds, and one day it'll be your life.

Please stop, Taj.

I am your father. I can forgive you.

The British will not forgive. Neither you nor me.

And if we fail the revolution...

then my conscience will not forgive me.

You have lost your mind!

Revolution is the wind beneath his wings, Ammijaan,

but those winds can turn in an instant.

So you tie those winds to a peg.

Talk to Sarfaraz about Alam and Tajdar's marriage.

When a girl waits for him in the house,

he will also come to the right path.

These wounds are very deep.

Not wounds, it's the price of freedom.

-Sadly, no one gets me in this house. -I do.

You want freedom from the British,

and I want freedom from Heeramandi.

The only difference is that your wounds are visible.

They can be treated.

But my wounds...

All of Heeramandi is lit up

except Shahi Mahal.

How long will this continue, Madam?

I was thinking, what if Shama were to start performing...

How will this dress look on her?

Until Alamzeb is found, there will be no performances here.

I am worried by then this place will be locked.

Phuphijaan has sent news from Benares.

The police are raiding brothels there.

Some tawaifs are supporting the rebels.

Why should that affect us?

There's no one in our Shahi Mahal like that.

We are loyal to the British government.

It's good that you have made that Henderson your sahab, Bibbo.

He'll prove useful.

Greetings Madam, greetings, greetings, greetings!

What's the matter, Ustaadji?

You're unusually perky tonight.

Why wouldn't I be? Eid is in two days,

but I will take Eidi tonight. Right, Madam?

This time we are not celebrating Eid, Ustaadji.

And what if i were to unite you with the moon of Eid?

Do visit Nawab Ashfaq Baloch's mansion in two days.

You will find both your Eidi and your moon of Eid.

-Eid Mubarak, Ammijaan. -Eid Mubarak, son. Sit, sit.

Eid Mubarak, Abbu.

My child, do you know what I prayed for this Eid?

Oh, Allah, send K.L. Saigal's marriage proposal for me this Eid.

And what about my Eidi?

What should I give to someone who has the moon?

For me, you are always the moon of Eid.

Come on!

-Begum sahiba! -Yes?

Mallikajaan from Heeramandi is here. Should I bring her in?

Today is Eid. Everyone is welcome.

Bring her inside.

Eid Mubarak, Nawab sahab.

-Eid Mubarak, Begum sahiba. -Eid Mubarak, Mallikajaan.

Eid Mubarak, dear.

Ashfaq, there were guests before.

-But the joy has arrived now. -Thank you.

Forgive me, I turned up uninvited.

But what could I do? I saw Nawab sahab in my dream.

He was looking very sad. He was saying he has been deceived,

that's why I came to warn you.

I'm very happy you came.

But please don't worry about me being deceived.

Ashfaq Baloch can count the feathers of a flying bird.

That is true, Nawab sahab.

But it is said that a dream that comes in the darkest night often lights the truth.

And deceit is not of a bird that flies,

but the one that has landed in the courtyard.

Oh, I have never seen her before.

This is our Alamzeb.

Looks like she's from a noble family.

Yes, her brother is a senior government officer, Sarfaraz.

Mashallah.

If her brother is a government officer,

then her abbu must be no less than a minister. And her...

ammi must be a queen somewhere.

Mallikajaan, I don't understand.

What do you want to say?

You should have counted the feathers of the bird that landed in your courtyard.

This has gone on too long.

I'll come right to the point.

I don't have any friend named Sarfaraz.

Alamzeb is Mallikajaan's daughter.

She is from Heeramandi, but is not a tawaif.

And I love her immensely.

See, Nawab sahab, my dream came true.

We have all been deceived.

Tajdar, you deceived your Qudsia?

If someone else had, it would have only broken my faith.

But this lie of yours broke my heart.

I lied because...

truth does not give respite to love.

And neither will I.

-Come, Alamzeb. -Alamzeb has left Heeramandi behind.

Heeramandi is not a habit that you can leave behind.

Heeramandi is fate.

-And fate cannot be forsaken. -But it can be changed.

You will change fate?

You hate Heeramandi, but fell in love with a girl from there.

You will change fate?

Qudsia Begum, I respect you a lot.

Otherwise I would have dragged this girl out of here.

Very well, Tajdar sahab, I will give respite to your love.

Now let me see if you will make her the daughter-in-law of the Baloch family

or if I will make her the Madam of Shahi Mahal.

May God be with you.

My child, I pray from my heart that you remain happy and prosperous.

But I know the consequences of when a tawaif falls in love.

Sons live in houses, not sons-in-law of tawaifs.

You have set out on a path of ruin.

Be careful.

Subtitle translation by Inderpal Singh