Aurat, 1940
Director: Mehboob Khan
Music Director: Anil Biswas
Lyrics: Dr. Safdar "Aah"
Cast: Sardar Akhtar, Surendra, Yakub, Kanhaiyalal, Arun, Jyoti

Translation provided.

While one can be grateful to (the large Indian Media Company) for putting this iconic film on DVD, one can only regret what might have been had more care been taken with the film. Not only did they make the PAL to NTSC conversion even worse than when using their usual disgraceful method, they did nothing to improve the video itself. They say on the DVD before getting to the menu, "We have tried our best to digitally restore and upgrade the quality of this classic work...", but nothing could be further from the truth. It has been degraded and ruined. Although I worked long and hard to bring back the video, and it looks immeasurably better than what (the large Indian Media Company) gave to us, they managed to ruin the audio beyond all redemption. As a result, I got the audio from  Shemaroo's version of the film here on YouTube. I'd like to thank them very much for using a source for their YouTube upload that hadn't been already ruined by too much noise reduction. I removed what noise I could without making the audio sound hollow or distorted (some is already in the source) and then worked with that. By no means is it perfect (far from it), but I did the best I could. Now, if only Shemaroo would thank me for all the videos they've grabbed from my channel here on YouTube. Otherwise people might get the mistaken impression all their movies come from their own sources.

Excerpts from the FilmIndia review of Aurat (Woman) from their June 1940 issue:
===============================================================================
"Woman" the maiden production of the National Studios has become a dynamic document of realistic village life as found in our 700,000 villages. Never before was so faithful and detailed a portrayal of village life made as in this picture. And for its sheer documentary value, this picture will remain a milestone for a long time to come. 

The story is intensely human with a pathetic yet sympathetic vein underlying the multiple aspects of a village woman's life time. There is no exaggeration anywhere and a powerful melodrama has been created with the help of numerous situations which are utterly sincere and natural. The story writer shows a great knowledge of the numerous details that contribute to make the life of the villager complete. 

SARDAR'S THREE-IN-ONE ROLE 

Sardar Akhtar shoulders the biggest burden of acting. From the first foot of the film to the last, this artiste has given a brave performance in portraying the multiple facets of life in our villages. As the loving wife, she allows her individuality to merge into that of her husband's so completely that many a modern woman would think it to be an outrage on the inherent rights of womankind. As the daughter-in-law her complete submission to the old mother-in-law becomes an exemplary code of life in the family. But her supreme effort is manifest as the mother — loving and loved — anxious and yet helpless- doting and yet stern trying to live up to the hallowed traditions of her race. 

In the role of "Radha", Sardar Akhtar has lived all the roles a woman can live in a life time. And she has done it superbly, as never before. 

MUSIC AT LAST

Anil Biswas makes a big hit with the excellent music of this picture. Punctuating the story with a
number of lilting tunes, he has pushed several scenes home by his very clever background music and effects. 

I am sure that Anil will give us even better work if only he is allowed to concentrate on one picture At a time. 

Music direction is a creative job and it takes every bit of talent and energy to make it successful. In the entertaining and soothing music of "Woman", Anil shows how much can be done if pains are taken on 
the musical fare of a picture. 
 
MEHBOOB TAKES THE SALUTE 

To Mehboob, the director of this picture, however, goes the lion's share of the credit for the successful production of a screen play which is perhaps a perfect document of our village life. 

This is easily Mehboob's best piece of direction. It has moments of psychological heights, which come as a big surprise to many people. In the superb work of Sardar Akhtar again can be seen the guiding genius of the director who has given art and realism in a subtle but popular blend. 

With "Woman", Mehboob steps into the exclusive circle of our first rank directors and leaves his erstwhile contemporaries far behind. 

The triumph of "Woman'' augurs well for the brilliant future of the National Studios. If "Woman" is to be the sample of their future fare in entertainment, then National will soon distinguish themselves in giving us really national entertainment.