Tawaif is an 1985 Indian drama movie. It was produced by R. C. Kumar and directed by B. R. Chopra.^[1][2]

It stars Rishi Kapoor, Rati Agnihotri, Poonam Dhillon, Deepak Parashar in lead roles, with Ashok Kumar, Kader Khan, Asrani, Iftekhar, Shashikala, Sushma Seth in other important roles.^[1]

The story is set around a Tawaif, Sultana, who accidentally enters the life of Dawood Mohammed Ali Khan Yusafzai. Dawood has already fallen in love with writer Kaynat Mirza. Dawood finds himself in a situation such that he has to claim that Sultana is his wife. Sultana soon makes room in everybody's heart with her softness and intelligence, love, affection and playfulness. Dawood's life takes a turn when he acknowledges that he cannot forget his first love Kaynat, but neither can he subdue his new, burgeoning feelings for Sultana, whose true identity he cannot reveal to anybody without dire consequences both for himself and for her.

In the end, Dawood accepts he has fallen in love with Sultana, while Sulaiman, who has always cared deeply for Kaynat, confesses his love to her.

• Ashok Kumar^[1] as Mr. Nigam
• Rishi Kapoor^[1] as Dawood Mohammed Ali Khan Yusufzai
• Rati Agnihotri^[1] as Sultana
• Poonam Dhillon^[1] as Kaynat Mirza
• Deepak Parashar^[1] as Sulaiman
• Kader Khan as Rahim Shaikh
• Asrani as Constable Pandya
• Iftekhar as Lala Fakirchand
• Shashikala as Bilquis Bai
• Sushma Seth as Ameena Bai

The music for all the songs were composed by Ravi and penned by Hasan Kamaal.

33rd Filmfare Awards:

Won

• Best Story – Dr. Aleem Masroor^[3]
• Best Dialogue – Rahi Masoom Raza^[3]

Nominated

• Best Film – R. C. Kumar
• Best Actor – Rishi Kapoor
• Best Actress – Rati Agnihotri
• Best Supporting Actress – Sushma Seth
• Best Lyricist – Hasan Kamal for "Bohot Der Se"