Original subtitles

Madam, she has been in shock for four days.

If only she would break down and cry.

Aapa dreamt of making her the next Madam.

And she dreamt of her wedding.

Fate crushed both their dreams.

I'm going to the Dargah.

Let me know when Alam comes to.

-Satto, let's go. -Yes, Madam.

Phatto bi, give her some opium.

What are you saying, Khalajaan?

I'm speaking from experience, Bibbo. There's no cure for this pain.

It will help her get some sleep.

Once she finds comfort in opium, she will be hooked to it for life.

I won't let Alam turn into the next Lajjo aapa.

Phatto bi, ask Iqbal to get the buggy.

Alam will go with me.

Where?

Why did we bring Alam here?

Even if love remains unfulfilled,

grief must have closure.

Once she cries her heart out,

she will be able to make peace with reality.

Look at me once...

And make me fall in love with you

I am ready to burn

Like a moth in a flame

How did Tajdar die?

What happened was terrible.

You mean the way my son died?

No.

"Killed."

He was shot through the heart.

I made a grave mistake by trusting you, Cartwright sahab.

I asked you

to keep him in your custody for a few days.

He would have forgotten that tawaif and his obsession to fight for freedom.

Ashfaq, let me explain.

Tajdar was my only son, Mr. Cartwright.

And you killed him.

No. It was the rebels.

The rebels killed your son.

The same rebels with whom your son chanted patriotic slogans.

They took his life.

Why would the rebels kill one of their own?

They were worried that Tajdar might divulge the names of his comrades.

That's why they killed him.

The rebels attacked the police station.

Two of my best men gave their lives to protect your son.

Where the hell were you?

Riots broke out in Bilal Ganj.

We had to leave.

It was all a distraction by the rebels, to get to Tajdar.

Do you know from where the rebels get the money to buy weapons?

From you.

Nawabs like you splurge on the tawaifs at Heeramandi.

And the tawaifs hand that money to the rebels.

These Mallikajaans and Bibbojaans and all these bloody Jaans...

they are the ones responsible.

How does it matter who is responsible and who isn't?

I carried my son's coffin.

And there's no heavier burden than that.

You wanted to see me?

Have a seat.

Are you all right?

-What happened with Alam... -What happened with Alam...

is terrible.

And I am responsible for it.

You're not the only one, Khalajaan.

I'm to blame too.

I tried to find my happiness by stealing others' joy.

Isn't this what you wanted?

The keys to Shahi Mahal.

These are yours now.

We fought over these keys...

and today, you're just handing these over to me?

My own aren't worthy heirs, so I'm making the enemy my heir.

You may not have defeated me, but your efforts...

are praiseworthy.

I gave birth to Alam and Bibbo, but...

in their hearts, they were never tawaifs.

If there is anyone

as conspiring, deceitful, sly, and vile as me...

that's you.

Of course.

Nobility is for noblewomen.

Fareedan...

God has blessed me with countless enemies.

The British, nawabs, fate.

They have all turned against me.

If we don't join hands now, we will be destroyed.

I don't care if it's just you and I who perish.

But to see Heeramandi's existence threatened,

that I cannot accept.

Neither can I.

The keys?

I'll take these when I snatch them from your hands.

Aapa!

Waheeda Khala, my ammi...

What happened to my ammi?

Aapa! Satto! Phatto! Waheeda!

Rehana aapa has killed herself!

Fareedan, let's go. Fareedan. Let's go.

It's better to lay low until matters cool down.

But where do we go with these weapons?

Heeramandi.

The police will never look for the rebels there.

Why not?

Tawaifs of Heeramandi are the queens of Lahore.

And a queen's palace is never raided.

The world will remember the stories of your rebellion, not ours.

History may forget our sacrifice,

but this land will always remember us.

Your sacrifices...

Open the door! Open it!

It's time.

We're going to kill, not get killed.

Long live the revolution!

-Here. -I won.

You won, right? Look at this.

You got it, right?

Who's there?

Who is there? Come out!

Come out!

All of you should leave.

-I'll handle them. -Come out before I shoot.

Don't be crazy, Rizwan.

Gurdas, let go. I'll handle them.

-Come out! -Let go of me!

-Rizwan! -Long live the revolution!

Stop right there.

-Long live the revolution! -Stop right there!

-Long live the revolution! -Stop!

Long live the revolution!

We'll shoot! Stop!

Long live the revolution!

-Save your life! Stop right there! -Come on, hurry up.

-Long live revolution! -Are you not listening?

-Come in. -Let's go.

-Long live the revolution! -Go, go.

Come in quickly.

Long live...

Rizwan! Rizwan!

Get him.

-They killed Rizwan. -He didn't die, he is martyred.

He is a martyr.

There is no god but God

Muhammad is the Messenger of God

There is no god but God Muhammad is the Messenger of God

Hurry up, get in.

These men are not thieves that they be snuck into the basement.

They are warriors fighting for this country's freedom.

Take them to Lajjo's room. With due respect.

Satto, Phatto.

Satto...

Be quiet, you fool. It's madam.

Prepare some food.

Now? For you?

-For eight people. -What?

What happened, Bibbo? Why isn't anyone eating?

How can we?

Our comrade Rizwan's body is lying in the street.

Right now, God knows how many such Rizwans...

are happily sacrificing their lives for the country.

They know that the spark of rebellion they started

will turn into a blazing fire and burn down the British rule.

Come, Bibbo, you take the first bite.

In the name of God The Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

In the name of God The Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

In the name of God The Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

I will not perform anymore.

Because now my mission is this country's freedom.

Do you realize what you are saying?

The British will never leave this country.

Of course they will!

If you and I join hands...

Nawabs and tawaifs don't join hands, Fareedan.

Even our tombs are built higher than others.

So even in death, if we don't abandon our status,

how can we abandon it while we're alive?

But maybe you are forgetting your place.

I am not your slave like Chaudhary sahab.

-I am the Sahab of Khwabgah. -Were.

You were the Sahab.

You and him, both.

-But I gave Chaudhary sahab his freedom. -And what about me?

Permission.

If breaking off our relationship makes you want to hate me,

you have my permission.

You are joining a war that is impossible to win.

Yet, I will pray for your victory.

May God be with you.

What do I tell you, Alam Bibi...

She hasn't taken her medicines or left her bed in the last two days.

She just keeps asking for you.

I am tired of telling her. I swear, I can't bear this.

I am glad you're here, Alam Bibi.

Qudsia Begum keeps chanting your name the entire day.

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.

Alam Bibi?

Yes?

Dadijaan.

Alam?

How are you?

I am fine, Dadijaan.

But why are you refusing to get better?

Tell me, what will it take for you to take your medicine?

I won't take anything, I want to give you something.

Sharafat, give that to me.

It's an heirloom.

I had kept it for Tajdar's bride.

I wanted to give it after the wedding.

It's yours now.

I have seen you, and handed over what belongs to you.

Now... I can rest in peace.

You are not going anywhere, Dadijaan.

You have to get well for Tajdar.

Someone's on their way to call you "Qudsia" again.

The British think it's the nawabs who are rebelling

under the cover of Heeramandi.

Before they start seizing our properties,

we must sever our ties with Heeramandi.

Why this ruthlessness, Ashfaq sahab?

After all, it's the nawabs who brought Heeramandi into existence.

We didn't bring it into existence to ruin ourselves.

Those women are aiding the rebels.

When a glass doll cuts your hand,

it must be discarded.

I've made my decision. Let's boycott Heeramandi.

Nawabs will not visit Heeramandi from today.

Neither as patrons... nor as sympathizers.

Madam, what are you doing?

Getting Waheeda ready for her performance.

Wear this.

What performance, Madam?

Heeramandi has been desolate for four days.

Mansions lie deserted. Look at these galleries.

They were alive until yesterday, but they look grim today.

I am worried sick.

Whether they come or not, Shahi Mahal must stay lit.

Madam, I have knocked at every door. The nawabs are not ready to come.

Should we stop living if the nawabs don't come?

We are tawaifs, Ustaadji.

Dressing up and performing is our profession,

and we will do it until our last breath.

Look at this.

It was a gift from the Maharaja of Patiala.

He was completely crazy about me.

Here, take this.

Very well, Madam. If this is what you wish,

then the day isn't far when officers, clerks, policemen, and the likes of Lahore

will be the ones visiting us to watch the performances.

Instead of lavishing gold coins, they will pay us pennies.

Madam, only you can save Heeramandi.

Please talk to Zulfikar sahab once...

Why?

To get humiliated?

Aapa will not go to Zulfikar sahab, no matter what.

It is time for my performance.

Let's go, Ustaadji.

You couldn't bring any patrons.

At least come and help us put out the lights.

Yes?

Greetings, Nasreen Begum.

What brings you here?

I need to meet Zulfikar sahab urgently.

Nawab sahab will not meet you.

You may finish your drink and leave.

Begum sahiba, if the nawabs stop visiting Heeramandi,

we will be ruined.

Only Zulfikar sahab can convince the other nawabs,

and save Heeramandi.

If a man is not loyal to his wife, how will he be loyal to a tawaif?

Khan Bahadur Zulfikar is brave only by name,

not by nature.

But you can convince him.

If not on me, please have mercy on the women of Heeramandi.

No tawaif has ever been merciful to a wife.

Then why should a wife be merciful to a tawaif?

Go home, Mallika.

Men can hardly fulfill their duties in the bedroom...

so how can they ever fulfil promises?

I always knew that the nawabs will not support us.

Men may abandon us, but our land won't.

So let's try to serve our land for once.

Get this notion of rebellion out of your head, Fareedan!

Rebellion is not a notion...

it's our duty.

We are part of this country too.

And when the country is on fire, we cannot host lavish gatherings.

Who knows the value of freedom better than us?

We abandoned nobility, and love abandoned us.

Now only rebellion can give some meaning to our lives.

For once, think like a patriot, not a performer.

Why should we beg?

Our coffers are so full, no one will go hungry here.

From now on, Heeramandi will not bow down to anyone.

Heeramandi's women and children will be slaves to none.

Neither the British nor the nawabs.

Try to understand, Hamid sahab, we won't get a better opportunity.

Henderson will be addressing the Imperial Police gathering.

There'll be fewer guards outside. Balraj and I...

I know, Nawaz.

But circumstances have changed.

Tajdar, Rizwan...

I don't want to lose any more comrades.

So should we remain in hiding like criminals?

Attacking Henderson is no joke, Umesh.

We must wait for the right opportunity.

Why wait, Hamid sahab? The opportunity is at hand.

Henderson is my lover, and he has invited me to the gathering.

-Who will shoot him? You? -Yes.

-I will shoot him. -Do you even know what you are saying?

The only consequence is death.

Why must only the sons make sacrifices for this country?

Daughters can do it too.

The Crown has done for its colonies what no other ruler could.

Just look at India today.

We have brought education,

railroads and postal services to this war-torn country.

And you are safe from the atrocities of Hitler

because of British protection!

However, there is still injustice in the western world.

So we must fight together.

That's why Indian soldiers will fight alongside our army

to defeat the fascist Nazis!

Cartwright! Arrest her!

Hamid sahab!

Hamid sahab!

Don't shoot! Keep her alive.

Hamid sahab! Hamid sahab!

Long live the revolution! Long live the revolution! Long live...

Madam, General Henderson has been killed.

What? Henderson has been killed?

Madam, God has answered our prayers! These British...

He should have been killed a long time ago.

Arrange a feast for the fakirs today.

Our Bibbo killed him.

She shot him straight through the heart.

-Dear God! -She has been arrested.

The girl who couldn't even harm an ant, killed a British officer.

My brave daughter.

Her bravery will cost everyone in Heeramandi dearly.

They will drag us out of here.

The British will shut down our mansions!

Let them.

Now, Heeramandi will witness a performance only on the eve of independence.

The British hospitality suits you well, tawaif.

There's only one way to avoid death penalty.

Speak up!

What are the names of your absconding comrades?

Freedom.

What was Hamid Mohsin's real motive?

Freedom.

Do you know the consequence of this rebellion?

Freedom.

Fareedan, what's the matter?

The British will execute Bibbojaan tomorrow night.

What?

Oh, Lord! Damn these Britishers!

-May they be ruined. May they rot... -Fatima!

Be quiet! Sit down.

God will never forgive those wretches.

Get the buggy ready, Satto. We will get the city's best lawyers.

-Aapa, we will go to the highest courts... -There won't be a hearing!

I tried, but they didn't even let me see her.

Tajdar was made an example of to silence the nawabs,

and to silence us, Bibbo...

Khala, we must do something.

That's what I am doing. Being proud.

My daughter will be known as Heeramandi's first martyr.

We were just tawaifs until now.

From now on, we are patriots too.

Khalajaan, that is why it is our duty to go to Bibbo.

She must know that she is not alone.

But how will we go? The city is under curfew.

We will break the curfew!

The British will shoot us down, you fool!

Let them!

It's just a life. We will sacrifice it for the country.

It is time to rebel, Mallika.

Queens don't rebel...

they wage wars.

The queens of Lahore will take to the streets now.

-Who is it? -It's me, Ustaad.

Alam, open the door.

What are you doing here at this hour?

Let's go in. I'll explain everything. Come.

What is it, Ustaadji? Is everything all right?

These are terrible times, Bibi.

I am at a loss. Shahi Mahal is shrouded in darkness.

And only this moon can light it up again.

Come on, Ustaadji.

Bibi, we have lost our patrons, but we still have buyers.

I brought one for you.

Cartwright.

He wants to buy you for a night.

Cursed, must have been the night you were born, Ustaadji.

Leave, before I raise my hand.

Bibi, listen to me. I...

Cartwright killed my Tajdar,

and you want me to listen to you?

He disgraced my ammi, and you want me to listen to you?

-Bibi... -Bibbo aapa is being sent to the gallows,

and you want me to listen to you?

Bibi, I...

I am with child, Ustaadji, and you want me to warm Cartwright's bed?

-Get out of here! -Bibi, you...

Sell your services elsewhere. There is no dearth of women in Heeramandi.

But, Bibi... you have the gall.

Alam, avenge yourself.

This is the best way to get to Cartwright.

A worm from hell, a petty pimp.

Yes, that is what I am.

But I am loyal to Shahi Mahal.

I have been taking care of you since you were a baby.

I fed you with my own hands. I rocked you to sleep.

All you bitches live in my heart.

Do you understand?

Be ready tomorrow. I will pick you up.

Bibbojaan. Get up!

It's time to go.

Come on, it's time.

Any last wishes?

We ask for freedom

We're willing to pay any price for freedom

We ask for freedom

We ask for freedom

We're willing to pay any price for freedom

We ask for freedom

We're willing to pay any price for freedom

We ask for freedom

This cruelty will end

And love will prevail

This cruelty will end

And love will prevail

In every corner of the country...

We want love to prevail

We want our mornings to be free

We ask for freedom

We will find the cure

To all that ails us

We will find the cure

To all that ails us

We want to see

Our motherland reign supreme

We want our mornings to be free

We ask for freedom

We're willing to pay any price for freedom

We ask for freedom

Take position!

Take aim!

Long live...

The revolution!

And fire!

We ask for freedom

We're willing to pay any price for freedom

We ask for freedom

We're willing to pay any price for freedom

We ask for freedom

Like birds in gilded cages, these tawaifs knew the value of freedom.

They rebelled for freedom. Fought for it. Made sacrifices.

But their sacrifices were forgotten with time.

A society that doesn't give a woman her share in property,

how would it give her her due place in history?

On 15th August, 1947,

the struggle for freedom came to an end.

But a woman's struggle never ends.

A new struggle began for these tawaifs.

The struggle to live with dignity in a new world.

The next battle of their lives.

Subtitle translation by: Bhumika Chawla-D'Souza