From ‘Salaam Bombay’ to ‘Chakalaka Baby’ to the alluring tune of ‘Chaiyya, Chaiyya’ Chaiyya’, Bombay Dreams – Andrew Lloyd Webber and R.R. Rehman’s musical – manages to keep the audience engrossed in a melodrama based on fabled Indian movie themes of the fight between the good and the evil.

Zubeidaa’s all-star cast for both screen and soundtrack brings together some of the biggest names in modern day Indian entertainment.

THIS is the tragic story of a princess (Karisma Kapoor in the title role), narrated through the eyes of Riyaz, the son who never knew her.

Directed by 66 year old Shyam Benegal and set in the backdrop of the formation of the republic of India, Zubeidaa is the daughter of Suleman Seth (Amrish Puri), who secretly takes part in the shooting of a film. Her father is horrified and hastily arranges for her to be married to Mehboob Alam. However, circumstances after the birth of her son mean the poor girl faces a bleak future.