Synopsis:  A pre-independence drama, Zubeidaa is a film about the daughter (Karishma Kapoor) of a studio owner, who has ambitions of becoming an actress. But she is married off, against her will, to someone her father chooses. The marriage ends in divorce and a child. Zubeidaa’s father’s mistress introduces her to prince Vijayendra Singh (Manoj Bajpai) who falls in love with her at first sight. He marries her and takes her back to his palace in Fatehpur to be his second wife. She is initiated to the royal ways by the older queen, Mandira (Rekha). [The clothes and jewellery worn by the actresses are original royal ornaments] But Zubeidaa feels patronised by Mandira and left out of the prince’s affections. Jealous and insecure, Zubeidaa almost wills her death….