The Courtesans of Bombay
1983, English. Directed by Ismail Merchant.
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.
- Runtime
- 1h 14m
- Post-credits
- None listed
- Language
- English
- Rated
- Check local
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Where to watch The Courtesans of Bombay
The Courtesans of Bombay isn’t streaming on any OTT platform in India yet; it released on 1 January 1983.
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Details
- Released
- 1 January 1983
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Written by
- Ismail Merchant, James Ivory, Ruth Prawer Jhabvala
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The Courtesans of Bombay: quick answers
Is The Courtesans of Bombay worth watching?
The Courtesans of Bombay doesn’t have enough ratings for a verdict yet.
How long is The Courtesans of Bombay?
The Courtesans of Bombay runs 74 minutes (1h 14m).
Does The Courtesans of Bombay have a post-credits scene?
None is listed for The Courtesans of Bombay. Viewers tag these on TMDB, so a brand-new film may not be tagged yet.
The Courtesans of Bombay parents guide: is it suitable for kids?
No age rating is listed for The Courtesans of Bombay yet.
Which OTT platform is The Courtesans of Bombay on?
The Courtesans of Bombay isn’t streaming on any OTT platform in India yet; it released on 1 January 1983. (Checked 13 November 2026.)
What movies are like The Courtesans of Bombay?
If you liked The Courtesans of Bombay, try McQueen, Ex Libris: The New York Public Library, Above Majestic.
Who directed The Courtesans of Bombay?
The Courtesans of Bombay (1983) was directed by Ismail Merchant and stars Saeed Jaffrey, Kareem Samar, Zohra Sehgal.