Pakeezah

Pakeezah Urdu , Hindi Pkz, meaning Pure is a 1972 Indian film, written and directed by Kamal Amrohi who was known for his perfectionism. The music is by Ghulam Mohammed and Naushad Ali. The film tells the story of a Lucknow tawaif played by actress Meena Kumari who died shortly after the film was completed.

Pakeezah took nearlyyears to shoot because of a change in relationship between Meena Kumari and the director. Meena Kumari and Kamal Amrohi were married when Pakeezah was first conceived. Ashok Kumar was to have played the part of Salim, but the part was later played by Raaj Kumar. The character was changed from a businessman to a forest ranger to suit Raaj Kumars more muscular physique. Both the films composer Ghulam Mohammed and cinematographer Josef Wirsching died during this period. Later composer Naushad Ali stepped in and composed the films background music as well as its title track. Over a dozen of Bombays top cinematographers pitched in when they had time they however managed to maintain its uniform look.Due to a variety of different factors Meena Kumari and Kamal Amrohi parted ways and the film remained incomplete. It was only when Nargis and Sunil Dutt saw the rushes of the film that they convinced Meena Kumari to complete it. It was mostly shot in Kamal Amrohi Studios, Mumbai. ........

Source: Wikipedia