The Courtesans of Bombay
Synopsis
In the Mumbai, India, tenement community of Pavanpul, young female courtesans sing, dance and perform sexual favors for male clientele. Directors James Ivory and Ismail Merchant blend documentary footage and dramatic reenactments in their exploration of this seamy underworld, the flip side of the Bollywood film industry, where aspiring actors and dancers -- some even sold into prostitution by their own families -- end up, with their innocence lost and their hopes for movie stardom shattered.
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Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Ismail Merchant
- Screenplay & Story
- Ismail Merchant, James Ivory, Ruth Prawer Jhabvala
- Original Title
- The Courtesans of Bombay
- Country of Origin
- United Kingdom
- Spoken Languages
- English
- Runtime
- 1h 14m
- Production Studios
- Merchant Ivory Productions
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Ismail Merchant
Ismail Merchant, James Ivory, Ruth Prawer Jhabvala
Vishnu Mathur
Amit Bose
Ismail Merchant
Department Leadership Roster
Ismail Merchant
Director
Ismail Merchant
Writer
James Ivory
Writer
Amit Bose
Editor
Ismail Merchant
Producer
Ruth Prawer Jhabvala
Writer
Vishnu Mathur
Director of Photography
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for The Courtesans of Bombay.
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Courtesans of Bombay
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is The Courtesans of Bombay about?
In the Mumbai, India, tenement community of Pavanpul, young female courtesans sing, dance and perform sexual favors for male clientele. Directors James Ivory and Ismail Merchant blend documentary footage and dramatic reenactments in their exploration of this seamy underworld, the flip side of the Bollywood film industry, where aspiring actors and dancers -- some even sold into prostitution by their own families -- end up, with their innocence lost and their hopes for movie stardom shattered.
Who directed The Courtesans of Bombay?
The Courtesans of Bombay was directed by Ismail Merchant.
Who stars in The Courtesans of Bombay?
The principal cast of The Courtesans of Bombay includes Saeed Jaffrey, Kareem Samar, Zohra Sehgal.
When was The Courtesans of Bombay released and how long is it?
The Courtesans of Bombay was released in 1983 with a total runtime of 1h 14m.