Original subtitles

There was a time when you would bring jewelry and mansions

from the nawabs' gatherings.

And today,

you've left Alam at the Baloch's.

You can't control your own daughter, Aapa.

How will you rule over Heeramandi?

The kite may be flying high,

but I still hold its strings.

Besides, the dice are falling exactly as I want them.

-Satto. -Yes, Madam.

Have Iqbal load the bags in the buggy.

Madam, Iqbal is not out of prison yet.

I completely forgot.

Madam, now that you remember, could you get him released?

Satto, let's load the luggage.

While I'm away, these keys...

are your responsibility.

-Satto, my suitcase. -Yes, Madam.

This is Amrood Kothi.

My late ammijaan left it to me.

This is where we'll live now.

-Oh, Tajdar miyan? -As-salaam alaikum.

Abbujaan, Tajdar Bhaijaan is here!

What is all this ruckus about? Who is it?

Bebe, Taj baba is here.

Nagma, go, get some water!

-Taj. -Tajdar miyan.

-God bless you. -Hello, Mamujaan.

You've come a day after Eid.

-It feels like Eid again. -Well...

Alam, come here.

Who is she?

This is Alamzeb, my guest. She will stay here with me.

Have Qudsia Begum and Ashfaq Bhaijaan agreed to this?

Then, how can she stay here with you?

Please go inside.

Come on.

Tajdar miyan, you love reading.

You could've had a Nikah read, too.

Women who live with men outside of wedlock

may be considered guests in London,

but in India, they are called something else.

And people who disrespect their guests, what are they called?

Gurbaksh bi!

Take Alamzeb to the guest room.

This is your mansion.

But bear in mind...

if she goes in, I'll move out.

If that's what you want,

I won't stop you.

This is the guest room.

What sort of guest is she? Caused a rift in the family.

This isn't a brothel, it's a room in a mansion.

If you don't like it, we have the servants' quarters.

It's right behind the mansion. Would you prefer staying there?

Gurbaksh bi,

Qudsia taught me to respect our employees,

and you to respect our guests.

Don't forget your manners.

What about your manners, Taj baba?

You threw your Mamujaan out...

for the sake of a girl.

Please forgive her.

Gurbaksh bi's words may be harsh,

but she is a kind woman.

Take these. There's some jewelry and some cash.

-Long live the revolution. -Long live the revolution.

Let's go.

Poor Aapa.

She gave you the keys,

she trusted her daughter more than her sister.

And the daughter turned out to be a petty thief.

I stole for a righteous cause.

You can do it for the wrong one.

Waheeda doesn't accept charity, be it a man or house keys.

What is it now, Khalajaan?

This is Rehana aapa's file.

The old hag asked me to burn it years ago.

I decided to take a peek.

And that's when I realized

that it holds all the evidence against Mallika aapa.

If you had this file all along, why didn't you use it?

Mallikajaan kept promising me Khwabgah.

I thought

I'd be the Madam of my own mansion.

Anyway, Fareedan...

I'm handing this file over to you. Make sure Cartwright gets it.

Don't you want Khwabgah's papers?

Forget it, Fareedan.

You don't intend on handing over Khwabgah.

Just destroy Mallika for me.

-Here, son, 1,000 containers for London... -Munim sahab.

Why are we exporting all the mangoes?

For better profits, son.

I thought we reap the fruits of our labor,

but here, they're being exported.

Please cancel the orders, Munim sahab. These mangoes will be sold in India.

But, Taj baba...

Munim sahab...

Women from Heeramandi are shrewd.

They play with dolls as little girls, and with men, when they grow up.

Say what you will, Tajdar baba loves her with all his heart.

That's how the nawabs are.

They use a new bedsheet for a few days and then get rid of it.

Taj baba!

It might rain soon. Let's head back!

Alam, let's go.

Look at me once...

Look at me once

And make me fall in love with you

Look at me once

I am ready to burn

Like a moth in a flame

Look at me once...

Look at me once...

-Kartar bi? -Yes, coming.

Let Alam know dinner has been served.

She won't join you tonight.

You will have to eat by yourself. She's running a fever.

Well, then send for a doctor.

What will the doctor do?

She's just lovesick. Getting over it will take a while.

T A

Dressed to kill, I see! Where are you off to, my buttercups?

Don't you remember? We must get this file to Cartwright.

Shall we?

You want to meet Cartwright sahab?

-Well, then take your clothes off, Bibi. -How dare you!

He's gone to Karachi for fifteen days.

Get the cards and take off these sunglasses. Sit down.

Good grief! He always comes bearing bad news.

-Wretched... -Khala!

Fifteen days are a lot, Fareedan.

Mallikajaan can turn the tables on us in fifteen days.

Patience, Khalajaan.

I have waited for fifteen years. Another fifteen days won't hurt.

Mallikajaan's ruin is inevitable.

This file...

Your testimony...

My determination...

and our beauty...

Our beauty.

That's it.

Balraj, where are you taking all this?

The textile mill. We had everything delivered there.

Why?

Because the bombs will be assembled there.

Amrood Kothi is the safest place to assemble the bombs.

And Hamid sahab agrees with this.

-Then what changed suddenly? -You. You've changed, Tajdar.

You have more responsibilities now.

You must draw a line between love and rebellion, Tajdar miyan.

Or else we, our mission, and poor Alam, will be in danger.

Let's go, Umesh.

What are you doing here?

I brought some tea.

You may leave. I'll see you soon.

Forgive me, Balraj bhaijaan,

but you can't draw a line between love and rebellion.

There's no difference between affection and revolution.

But you need not worry.

I won't come in the way of his duty.

I won't enter this room ever again.

How are you today?

I am speaking to you, Mallika.

-I'm heading back to Lahore. -Why?

You called me to Murree to take my mind off Shahi Mahal.

But you go off hunting, and I am by myself here.

Today, you've returned empty-handed.

I'm not empty-handed.

Here's today's catch, just for you.

Fareedan and Sattan miyan?

I sold Fareedan to him 20 years ago.

And Sattan miyan married her off to Ifteqar Ahmadi from Rawalpindi

when she was merely 12 years old.

Ifteqar sahab passed away within two years of marriage.

-They say Fareedan poisoned him. -Good Lord!

Murder at the age of 14?

-And arson at the age of 16. -What do you mean?

A pimp took her to Gulfam bibi's brothel in Awadh

where she named herself Jahanara.

There she ensnared her next victim, Mohammad Ameen.

She burned down the brothel and fled to Delhi with him.

And this is Chaudhary sahab.

Well, he is always in Khwabgah.

In Benares, she took the name Tara,

and made her way from Chaudhary sahab's kitchen to his bedroom.

This girl who's challenging you,

has a police case against her in every city.

She is trouble that's not easy to be rid of.

Pity that none of my daughters have this skill.

Madam, smile please.

Fareedan Bibi,

you won't believe who's here to see you.

Mallikajaan from Shahi Mahal.

That sly old hag.

She figured out where the file is.

Turn your face this way.

What should I do? Shall I send her away, Bibi?

-Ask her to wait. -Okay.

And tell me something.

How do my feet look?

I hope they look pretty. Khalajaan will be on them soon.

-Yes... -Well, your feet are pretty, Fareedan.

But let me tell you something.

Your neck is prettier.

Greetings, Khalajaan.

What brings you here?

I just... thought of you, so I came over.

Smile a little, madam.

Getting your pictures clicked?

But there's no space left in Khwabgah to hang your photograph.

These are not for Khwabgah,

these are for Shahi Mahal.

When your ammi's photographs didn't have a place there,

how can yours?

Well, I hear this black box doesn't just capture photographs,

but one's soul too.

You heard right.

But you need not worry.

Your soul has been dead for a while.

If you don't believe me, take a picture with me and see for yourself.

Let's do it.

Anything for you, my dear.

-Humeira, get a drink for Khalajaan. -Sure.

I wouldn't even have water at my enemy's home,

let alone a drink.

-Don't you trust me? -I don't even trust my shadow.

Of course.

It's your shadow after all, it must take after you.

You're quite witty.

My file?

It is, indeed.

I drove myself crazy looking for it.

It stays close to my heart.

It has some documents that I read over and over again.

I'll hand it over to Cartwright sahab as soon as he returns from Karachi.

And I'll get seven years in jail. Right?

Good God!

But if these pictures reach the police, you'll be off to the gallows.

Rawalpindi's Noor, Awadh's Anokhi,

Benares' Tara, Delhi's Jahanara.

Take this photo!

If you want to save your skin,

my file should not reach the police.

If the pictures turn out well, send them over to me.

Madam, smile please.

I know I am a little late. I couldn't find my new sari.

Isn't Cartwright sahab here yet?

-Fatima. -Yes, Madam.

Get that file.

-What is in there? -Evidence.

Mallika's fingerprints.

And an officer's statement that Rehana aapa didn't commit suicide.

Really? Show me.

They were right here.

There's not a shred of evidence in this file.

Fatima, seems I fell for the words of an idiot.

Yes, I am indeed an idiot.

I thought you'll save me from Mallika.

This isn't new to me.

My face was scarred once,

but my soul, countless times.

I'll just add another name to the list of people that have betrayed me.

It's said that when prayers go unanswered, curses are soon answered.

Satto, Phatto, I was wondering if Thursday's performance at Shahi Mahal

should be hosted by our Shama.

-Madam, me? -Why?

You are Waheeda's daughter, so you're my child too.

-Will you make me a Madam? -Be quiet, you fool.

Only until Alamzeb returns.

Isn't it, Madam?

From today, her clothes and jewelry are my responsibility.

Madam...

I want to talk to you.

And listen, make the dresses snug.

Nowadays, people have snakes up their sleeves.

Aapa, I want to say something to you.

Tell her that I can't stand the sight of her face.

May I speak now?

I fell for that wretched Fareedan's words.

I made a big mistake, Aapa.

Please forgive me.

You've been making mistakes all your life and I have been forgiving you.

If I treated my little sister

the way I treated my elder sister, I'd be left all alone, wouldn't I?

Very well... I forgive you.

Aapa...

I'm grateful to you.

May Allah bless you with happiness.

Satto, Phatto, the weather has turned suddenly, hasn't it?

It feels warm.

Look at this. Special silk from China.

-It will look great on you, Bibi. -Really?

Gharara or sharara, you can get anything stitched.

I want to see it in daylight.

-Good Lord, this... -So, this is where you are hiding.

Feroze sahab.

Greetings.

I've been looking for you, Shama.

Thankfully, I saw your buggy outside.

Come with me.

Forgive me, but I won't come with you today.

I've been hearing this for the last month.

I leave Shahi Mahal unhappy time and again.

Today, I will take you with me.

It's been a while

since we played our little love games.

There won't be any love games, Feroze sahab.

Shama is beyond your grasp now.

My daughter is Shahi Mahal's future Madam.

Shama will be a Madam?

Lajjo aapa is no more. Alamzeb eloped,

Bibbojaan has lost her vigor and I have given up on this dream.

So, who will be the next Madam? My Shama.

So you have buried the hatchet and joined hands.

Blood is thicker than water, Feroze sahab.

Well, people often suffer shoe bites.

I was saved from shoe bites...

only to be bitten by a sock.

Are you going to create a scene in public?

We're not spectators, but we will make a spectacle out of you, Feroze sahab.

Let's go, Shama.

-What about the fabrics? -Send them to Shahi Mahal.

Stop, you bitches!

You are showing your true colors, tawaif!

I made you both sit right here.

Come on, Feroze sahab,

do you want to brag about that half a minute?

Would you like to see something, Feroze sahab?

I have special silk from China.

Seriously, Phatto, as you keep piling on kilos,

your kurta keeps getting larger.

Oh, my! It's raining as if the sky is crying its eyes out.

Some kind soul must have had their heart broken.

Balli! Satto, Balli!

Balli?

Where's Saima?

Have some tea, son. You'll feel warmer.

How are you?

I am well, Madam.

The British leveled some grave charges against you.

So, it took some time to get you out of prison.

Forgive me.

It was my fault.

Madam...

please give me another chance to marry Saima.

I swear, I'll bring the money.

I know you have suffered a lot on my account.

I did suffer that night.

First, because you got arrested, and then...

because Saima ran away.

You loved her,

but she couldn't even wait for you.

She ran away that very night.

And she... left this behind.

Iqbal, don't shed tears for the selfish.

-Alam! -Yes?

Please open the door. I want to talk to you.

Well, I'm busy. Whatever it is, you may say it from there.

Neither will I enter your room nor can you come into mine.

Are you still upset about it?

Won't you meet me even once?

I've made my decision.

I'm going away for a few days. Won't you open the door still?

May God be with you.

Look at me once...

And make me fall in love with you

I am ready to burn

Like a moth in a flame

May God be with you.

How can a woman file a report here...

when the officer is a brute himself?

I can help you with that. Tell me.

How can the Imperial Police best serve you?

Here goes then.

An officer has been troubling me.

He promised to take me to the movies,

but he remains so busy with work that I had to come over myself.

What is it, Watson?

No, stay.

-I'm sorry, sir, but it's urgent. -Yes?

The army has shipped their fresh batch of Enfield rifles and bombs

from Ishapore, as requested.

Good.

Store them in the northern barracks of the cantonment.

I don't want any lapses in security.

So choose your best men for guard duty.

I want them on two different shifts, the switch being at 8:30 p.m.

Yes, sir.

Alam Bibi, look, Tajdar baba is here!

-How was your trip? -Very good.

Come to my room. I have some gifts for you.

I told you, I won't enter your room.

Alam...

are you still hung up on that?

I'll stand firm on it until your duties are fulfilled.

You'll have to come.

So stop being childish and come upstairs, I'll be waiting.

-As-salaam alaikum. -I have confirmed news.

Weapons and ammunition will reach the cantonment soon.

Alhamdulillah.

Hamid sahab, we are ready. Just say the word.

Do you know what it means to attack a British cantonment?

You may get killed.

I know.

But this time, we're going to kill, not get killed.

May God be with you.

Yes?

Here, a letter for you.

Why didn't Alam come herself?

She says she won't enter your room.

What are you smiling about? Just tell me what to do.

What did he say? Did he reply?

Here, take this. This is his reply.

What is this, Gurbaksh bi?

I know you don't like me, but why did you have to do this?

I didn't tear it.

If you don't trust me, go and ask him yourself.

But how can I go into his room?

You tore my letter or Gurbaksh bi did?

I did.

You broke my heart by tearing it.

And your oath to not enter my room

broke my heart.

-But... -But, madam,

your heart is valuable and mine means nothing.

-That's not fair. -You don't understand.

I'm refusing to come here

because I don't want to come in the way of your duty.

Then don't come in the way. Walk the way with me.

Marry me.

What did you say?

I said marry me.

I...

Let me think about it.

I'll think about it and...

-I have decided. -And?

I'll marry you.

But you should think again.

I can't cook.

I'll serve you couplets for breakfast and poems for lunch.

Do you accept it?

I do.

This is the map of the cantonment.

The guards change at 8:30 p.m. every night.

There won't be a guard at the armory for six minutes.

So you have six minutes to carry out your plan.

Hamid sahab,

we will enter from this door, and before the change of guard,

we will attack here and here, and exit from the back door.

Burn this map into your memory.

We will annihilate the British.

-We won't get killed... -We will kill.

Grenades and pistols have arrived from Rawalpindi.

Come with me.

How is Alam?

Tell her that her aapa misses her.

Is she happy?

Very happy.

We are getting married next Friday.

-Welcome, John. How are you? -Hi. Very good.

This is Balraj. Balraj, John.

-John. -Balraj. Pleasure meeting you.

Amritsar is quite far from Lahore.

It took us, like, two hours to get here.

I'm sorry about that. But this is where I live now.

My abbu and my love don't see eye to eye.

So, that's why you changed cities.

Well, I can't change abbu.

True.

Anyway, this farmhouse is beautiful and charming.

Thank you. Why don't you have a look around? Enjoy yourself.

I think I'll do just that.

Are you sure it's a good idea to invite the enemy home?

It's not a party, but a trap, my friend.

Think about it. Will the British ever imagine

that a nawab who's getting married next week

could be involved in a rebellion?

-Never. -Mr. Cartwright.

We are ready to head to the cantonment.

Let's give them the slip and leave to steal the ammunition.

What a pleasure to see you here, Cartwright sahab.

-The pleasure's mine. -Welcome.

Greetings.

Cartwright sahab, you know, Tajdar miyan is quite ungrateful.

His love blossomed thanks to me,

but I wasn't invited for its celebration.

How could I forget you? My dream came true because of your lie.

My dream of marrying Alam.

Well, where is my Alamzeb? I don't see her here.

I am here to give her blessings from all of Heeramandi.

She must be here somewhere. With the guests.

I'll go meet her.

Alamzeb!

Hurry up!

Zakir miyan, open fire if needed.

Come on.

You have only six minutes. Get the weapons quickly.

Thank you. We will forever remain grateful to you.

-Come on. Go there. -Come.

-Quick. Get everything quickly. -Hurry up.

Here. Take this.

Take this also.

Not so loud!

Come on. Let's leave.

Friend?

Bashir bhai.

Bashir!

Traitor. He laid a trap for us.

Let's leave quickly.

-Come on. -Pick it up from that side.

This is the only way out. We'll have to jump from here.

Riaz, come on.

Pick it up.

Keep this jewelry safe. I'm going downstairs.

Yes, Madam.

-Alam! -Fareedan Aapa?

I've been looking for you.

What are you doing up here?

I have been longing to see you.

May Allah bless you with happiness. May you be married soon.

Are you angry with me?

I trusted you, and you deceived me.

Tajdar didn't write that letter, you did.

So? You are living a happy life now, aren't you?

May God be with you, Fareedan Aapa.

You'll forget Fareedan's mistake, Alam,

but you'll never forget Fareedan's deeds.

Let's go!

Careful.

Mr. Cartwright.

-Sir, the rebels attacked the cantonment. -What?

We have to go.

You're leaving my bed in the middle of the night, Cartwright sahab.

Not a nice thing to do.

I'll have to leave. We had laid a trap at the cantonment.

And still, the rebels stole our ammunition.

And they've left no clues.

But I have a clue.

-Okay, give it to me. -I have a condition.

I took my complaint back in Ammi's case

to pull the wool over Mallikajaan's eyes.

But you must continue investigating her and Zulfikar.

Make sure they get the most severe punishment.

So, do you agree?

Yes, yes, I promise. Now tell me.

Amrood Kothi.

I hope you are right.

What else should I pack? Bring it over.

-Shall I pack this handkerchief? -No!

I'll keep it close to my heart.

My name and his.

She'd write Tajdar-Alam across the sky, if she could.

Pack the bags, you fool.

Tajdar baba will soon be here with the Qazi.

They are going to Murree after the wedding.

It's cold over there. Where are the warm clothes?

I'm thinking of taking Taj directly to Baloch Kothi.

After the marriage, Abbujaan won't be as upset with us.

He might accept us.

That must be Taj with the Qazi.

Where are you going? Stay put.

The bride and groom mustn't see each other on their wedding day.

Make some tea. Qazi sahab is here.

-Are the flowers here? -Yes.

We have to prepare for the wedding.

Sweets and snacks...

It's going to be a joyful day...

Police?

What are you doing here?

What are you all doing here?

What's going on?

This is an Imperial Police raid.

Please, we are preparing for a wedding, sir.

Come on. The evidence has to be here somewhere.

Who tipped off the British about our attack?

There must be a snitch.

-What if Bibbojaan betrayed us... -Have you lost your mind?

You know very well

what Bibbojaan endures to bring us information.

There is no cause to doubt her patriotism.

Gurdas.

Open the door. It's me, Rizwan.

Police raided Amrood Kothi a while ago.

And they arrested Alam with evidence.

What nonsense!

That's my house. That's my evidence.

Then how can they arrest Alam?

No, Balraj.

Tomorrow, they might arrest my abbujaan for my crimes.

They might arrest my dadijaan!

No. This is wrong.

-Tajdar, get hold of yourself. -Move, Nawaz Bhai!

-This can jeopardize our mission. -Out of my way, Nawaz Bhai!

Tajdar, don't be foolish! You can't do anything!

Why not? I can confess.

I can get executed.

But I can't let anything happen to Alam!

Hamid sahab took a bullet for this mission!

-No! -He shed his blood.

Tajdar!

Let go! Let go of me!

Tajdar.

Answer this before you leave.

Country or love?

Both, Hamid sahab.

Country or love?

Sacrificing your life is not enough to free the country.

You will have to sacrifice your loved ones too.

Mr. Baloch, I can't believe

this girl was found in your mansion with the evidence,

and you say Tajdar has nothing to do with it.

I assure you, Mr. Cartwright, Tajdar is not involved in this matter.

Tajdar will tell us if he is involved or not,

when Alam gets here.

Go, get the girl.

If she doesn't confess to these charges today,

then your friendship, your loyalty towards the Crown will be of no use.

I won't be able to help you either.

Do you know General Henderson's stand on the rebels?

Anyway, how did you get that cut?

He hurt himself while hunting.

Tajdar, you know her, right?

She was arrested with this pistol, along with a cantonment blueprint

and the Imperial Police memos from your Amrood Kothi.

-This... -I hope you know it's a serious crime

to rebel against the British rule.

Trust me, Cartwright sahab, my Taj is innocent.

Let him speak for himself, Mr. Baloch.

How can you be innocent, Tajdar?

-Your house, your room... -But the things are mine.

Tajdar sahab had no idea about any of this.

I asked Tajdar, not you.

Have you found your answer yet, Tajdar?

What do you want me to tell you, Mr. Cartwright?

I stay busy with my hotel business.

I don't know what she did in my absence.

But weren't you going to marry her?

Marry her?

You don't marry a tawaif.

Isn't it, Abbu?

Did you hear what Tajdar said?

Do you have anything to say?

Look at me once...

And make me fall in love with you

I am ready to burn

Like a moth in a flame

Leave.

Subtitle translation by Bhumika Chawla-DSouza