Director: Ismail Kooshan

Cast: Googoosh, Iloush, Taghi Zohori, Soheila, Nasser Malek Motiee

Hosain Kord Shabestari is a 1967 Iranian Film Farsi directed by Ismail Kooshan, starring Googoosh and Nasser Malek Motiee in a rousing period adventure set in the Safavid era. A brave shepherd rises from village obscurity to serve at the court of a powerful Sardar, crossing paths with Shah Abbas himself in the bustling bazaars of Isfahan.

What is Hosain Kord Shabestari about?

Young Hosain, a loyal shepherd in the service of the influential Sardar Masih Khan, proves his worth when he rescues Fari Naz — the Sardar's daughter — from a gang of highway robbers threatening her safety on the road. His courageous act draws him away from the countryside and toward Isfahan, the imperial capital, where city life quickly tests him. A heated argument in the bazaar over the cost of his sandal repairs and a meal lands him in front of the Sardar himself, who honours rather than punishes the sharp-tongued young man. Recognising raw potential, the Sardar assigns the skilled trainer Mehtar Nasim Ayar to school Hosain in swordsmanship and the ways of the court. As Hosain rises through the ranks and earns the title of Ghorchi, the city stirs with an unexpected royal visit — Shah Abbas has entered Isfahan in disguise alongside two trusted companions to witness the everyday lives of ordinary people.

Cast & crew

Googoosh, already a beloved entertainer in pre-revolution Iran, brings warmth and star power to Fari Naz. Veteran actor Nasser Malek Motiee plays a commanding presence, while Iloush, Taghi Zohori, Soheila, Manouchehr Nozari, and Hamideh Khairabadi round out a strong ensemble. Director Ismail Kooshan was one of the most prolific figures in the Film Farsi golden age, known for crowd-pleasing adventure and melodrama.

Context & significance

Film Farsi of the 1960s was the mainstream commercial cinema of pre-revolutionary Iran — vibrant, melodramatic, and deeply entertaining. Hosain Kord Shabestari belongs squarely to the swashbuckling adventure strand of that era, rooted in the folk legend of Hosain Kord, a popular hero figure from Iranian oral tradition associated with the Safavid period. For diaspora viewers, the film offers both a vivid window into the popular cinema their parents grew up watching and a connection to a shared cultural mythology that crosses generations. The Safavid setting, the Isfahan bazaar atmosphere, and the Robin Hood-style underdog narrative carry an unmistakably Iranian flavour that resonates far beyond its original 1967 release.

Where & how to watch

Hosain Kord Shabestari is available on K-Time with original Persian audio. Watch on the web, your TV, or your phone — no VPN needed, no geo-blocking, and no extra download required. Start a subscription and cancel anytime.