Based on the novel by Ruswa, Umrao Jaan is the tragic story of an accomplished and beautiful courtesan in nineteenth century Lucknow. This book was also adapted in 1981 with Rekha in the role of Umrao Jaan. The film, directed by Muzaffar Ali, with a cast of formidable actors such as Naseeruddin Shah, Gajanand Jagirdar, Dina Pathak, Farookh Sheikh and Rekha, and music by Khayyam is now a classic of Indian cinema. It is therefore understandable that the filmmaker and cast and crew had a lot to measure up to.
What works: In this version of Umrao Jaan, Ruswa the novelist meets the ageing courtesan Umrao Jaan and is inspired to tell her tale. The film itself becomes a flashback as Umrao relates her painful transformation from the innocent child, Ameeran, to the sophisticated poet, dancer and courtesan.
Unfortunately little else does. Aishwarya Rai is beautiful but affected as usual. The dignity and courage in Rekha's portrayal of the role is too sublime and subtle for an actress of her calibre, or its lack thereof, to grasp- stunning though she might be. Abhishek Bachchan's smouldering persona does not fit the lovable but spineless Nawab Sultan. He tries, but is not right for the part. Shabana Azmi is competent at best. Suneil Shetty's Faiz Ali, however, is an improvement on Raj Babbar- which is hardly an achievement. The scenes between Rai and Bachchan are too long, and sloppy. The script and editing are self-indulgent.
Finally, it takes much more than beautiful people, expensive sets and exotic clothes and jewellery to make a film.
6 out of 13 found this helpful