Poster for 'Gaja Gamini'

A film by M F Husain, Produced by Rakesh Nath
Music by Bhupen Hazarika
Cinematography by Ashok Mehta
Choreography by Saroj Khan & Jojo Khan
A Yash Raj Films Pvt Ltd release
Bombay, 2001
Museum no. IS.101-2001
Given by Yash Raj Films

Directed by one of India's most important contemporary artists, M F Husain, this film is an exploration of womanhood spanning 5,000 years. Husain casts his favourite actress, Madhuri Dixit, in a role which sees her transforming herself into many different women, but who ultimately is the one ideal woman encompassing all other women. The film uses sets designed and painted by Husain. The poster shows Madhuri as the Mona Lisa next to an image of her kissing her lover, played by Shah Rukh Khan.

Poster for 'Umrao Jaan'

Featuring Rekha
Directed by Muzaffar Ali
Presented by S K Jain for Integrated Films
Music by Khayyam; Lyrics by Shahryar
Bombay, 1981
Museum no. IS.112-1986

Poster for 'Nehle Peh Dehlaa'

Directed by Raj Khosla
Produced by Sunil Dutt for Ajantaa Arts
Bombay, 1976
Museum no. IS.128-1988

Poster for 'Satyam Shivan Sundaram' (Love Sublime)

Featuring Zeenat Aman & Sashi Kapoor
Produced & Directed by Raj Kapoor for RK Films
Music by Laxmikant Pyarelal
Bombay, 1978
Museum no. IS.75-1987

Poster for 'Devdas'

Featuring Dilip Kumar, Vijayantimala & Suchitrasen
Produced & directed by Bimal Roy for Bimal Roy Productions
Bombay, 1955
Museum no. IS.94-1988

Film booklet for 'Pakeezah'

Bombay, 1971
Museum no. IS.165-1992

This lavishly produced film booklet gives a detailed account of the  cultural importance of the courtesan. Known as tawaifs, courtesans  are represented as custodians of culture, well versed in Hindi, Urdu  and Persian poetry. Their existence is traced back to ancient India,  where the administrators used them as informers. They were thus  placed at the centre of politics and culture. The booklet gives a  history of the making of the film Pakeezah (1971) and information about  the director and actors. The cover depicts a classic scene from the film, in which  the courtesan dances over broken glass and marks the floor with her blood as  she continues to dance. The underlying contradiction between the impurity of Sahibjaan’s actions and  the purity of her soul is made apparent in the film title, Pakeezah, which  means pure heart.

Film hoarding for 'Pakeezah'

Painted by Balkrihn Arts
India
About 2002
Museum no. IS.114-2002

An unfinished hoarding that shows the different stages of painting involved in the creation of hoardings.

The portrait is of the actress Meena Kumari in her most famous role of the courtesan, Sahibjaan.

Film hoarding for 'Devdas'

Painted by Balkrihn Arts
Oil on canvas
India
About 2002
Museum no. IS.113-2002

The design was taken from the compact disc cover for this film - the main character (Devdas) is played by Shah Rukh Khan. On the right is his childhood sweetheart played by Aiswarya Rai. On the left is the courtesan who falls in love with him, played by Madhuri Dixit.