Zubeidaa Turns 25: The Actress & Royal Who Inspired The Film

Who was the real-life Zubeidaa Begum?

Tanya Savkoor
Jan 20, 2026, 11:44 AM

Who was Zubeidaa Begum?

Zubeidaa Begum's life was marked by her defiance of societal norms; she was an actress, a divorcée, and a Muslim who married a royal, challenging the conventions of her time.

First marriage

Coming from a family with traditional values, Zubeidaa's first marriage was arranged but ended in divorce, a bold move for women in pre-Independence India.

Aspirations cut short

Zubeidaa's ambitions in cinema were thwarted by her father's strict control, cutting short a promising career.

Marrying into royalty

She later married Hanwant Singh, the Maharaja of Jodhpur, converting to Hinduism to prove her commitment, but their union faced societal criticism and isolation.

New promises

After their marriage, they moved from the Umaid Bhawan Palace to the Mehrangarh Fort to start a new life. They had a son, Rao Raja Hukum Singh.

Untimely death

Hanwant Singh had political aspirations and was preparing to contest elections, but a tragic plane crash on January 26, 1952, claimed both their lives

Legacy never forgotten

Zubeidaa's story was almost lost to history, overshadowed by societal forces, but Khalid Mohamed, her son from her first marriage, brought her story to light through a film.

Zubeidaa (2001), a classic

Directed by Shyam Benegal, the film 'Zubeidaa' starred Karisma Kapoor and won a National Award, ensuring Zubeidaa's legacy would not be forgotten.