Bollywood’s most expensive film had kissing scene between two heroines, director was forced to quit Bollywood, film’s name is…

With production spanning over 7 years and a budget of Rs 10 crore, the film made barely Rs 2 crore, becoming a box office disaster. The star cast is...

Released in 1983, this Hindi period biographical film was the most expensive Indian production of its time. Written and directed by Kamal Amrohi, the movie’s budget estimated at Rs 7–10 crores, a monumental figure in the 1980s, the film took over seven years to complete. Kamal Amrohi aimed to create a cinematic masterpiece on par with Mughal-e-Azam, one that would be remembered for generations. However, despite its grandeur and the immense resources poured into its making, the film failed to connect with audiences and turned out to be a box office disaster. It managed to earn only around Rs 2 crores, falling drastically short of recovering its costs. Kamal Amrohi’s dream of delivering an enduring epic ended in disappointment, as the film’s ambition could not save it from its shortcomings.

The film was made on India’s only Muslim ruler Razia Sultan, the only female Sultan of Delhi (1236–1240) and her speculated love affair with the Abyssinian slave, Jamal-ud-Din Yakut. The movie we are talking about is Razia Sultana and starred Hema Malini, Parveen Babi, and Dharmendra in lead roles.

Despite the stellar lineup, the film failed to make an impact at the box office and became a significant flop. One of the reasons cited for its failure was the use of highly sophisticated and difficult Urdu, which dissapointed a large section of the audience. Additionally, the historical time period depicted in the film was criticised for being unrelatable and failing to captivate viewers. Another controversial aspect was the portrayal of Dharmendra’s character, with his face darkened significantly to fit the role, which did not sit well with audiences and became a point of criticism.

The controversial kiss scene

Razia Sultan generated significant controversy upon its release in 1983, not just for its narrative choices but also for a groundbreaking same-sex kissing scene. The film included a sequence in which Hema Malini and Parveen Babi shared an intimate moment, a kiss on the cheek. Kamal also filmed a romantic song featuring the two actresses to emphasise the underlying bond between their characters, which was a bold creative decision for its time.

This depiction sparked outrage among audiences, with many expressing discomfort at the idea of one woman kissing another. The scene became a lightning rod for criticism, particularly from conservative circles, and the Muslim community also raised objections, citing cultural and religious concerns.