Saaz 1997

Saaz is a drama that follows two sisters, Mansi and Bansi—daughters of the great singer and theater artist Vrindavan. Born with extraordinary musical talents, the sisters face challenges rooted in familial ties, ambition, and personal struggle.

The story opens with the devastating death of Vrindavan, caused by alcoholism, leaving Mansi and Bansi orphaned. Mansi moves to Mumbai with Bansi and quickly becomes a popular professional singer, while Bansi struggles to find steady footing in the bustling city.

Soon, however, Bansi discovers her own remarkable singing gift and yearns to join her sister in the world of music. Jealousy on Mansi’s part pushes her to try to derail Bansi by arranging a marriage to a violent man, turning Bansi’s life into a nightmare. The marriage becomes a toxic trap: even after Bansi becomes pregnant, Mansi’s interventions help trigger a separation, but the damage lingers.

Emily worries for her niece Kuhu’s safety, so she intervenes, pushing Bansi to divorce. Mansi falls for a married music director, Indruneil, who later recognizes Bansi’s talent and offers her a chance to sing alongside Mansi. Out of jealousy, Mansi places Bansi in a background role during the main recording, fueling the rift between the sisters.

Seeking independence, Bansi approaches Indruneil, who introduces her to a platform where she can project her voice. She captivates audiences and soon surpasses Mansi in popularity, sharpening a rivalry that even a prestigious national opportunity can’t quiet. Indruneil’s career falters, and he ends up in a live-in relationship with Bansi, only for the musical world to implode when he quits.

A decade passes of distance between the sisters, until they meet again at a felicitation in the same theater where their father performed. In this moment, Mansi’s voice falters as she faces terminal blood cancer, and she dies after seeking forgiveness for her past actions against Bansi.

The focus shifts to Kuhu, who is trying to find her own groove as a singer. A new music director, Himaan Desai, enters their orbit, stirring feelings: Kuhu idolizes Himaan while he is drawn to Bansi. Torn, Bansi also feels attracted but steps back to protect Kuhu, and Himaan dies in a car accident, witnessed by Bansi.

The narrative unfolds as flashbacks as Bansi recounts her experiences to Parikshat Sahni, a psychiatrist. With his guidance, she gradually regains her confidence and voice. During a foreign trip with Kuhu, an award announcement rekindles Bansi’s passion to perform. At a formal felicitation, she sings the song her father once sang and announces her return to singing.

The film closes on a note of reconciliation and renewed purpose: Bansi sends a recording of her performance to the psychiatrist, who meets her at the airport, and they depart together in a moment that hints at a hopeful, non-clinical friendship beyond the patient-doctor boundary.