Umrao Jaan set for 4K revival as Rekha-starrer cult classic re-releases in theatres on June 27

Time of India

4 hours ago

The courtesan of Lucknow is poised for her grand return. On June 27,
Muzaffar Ali
's celebrated 1981 masterpiece
Umrao Jaan
will be re-released in theatres in a digitally restored avatar, promising audiences a cinematic journey steeped in poetry, pain, and poignancy. Backed by the
National Film Development Corporation
and the
National Film Archive of India
, the film has been revived under the National Film Heritage Mission, marking a significant moment for Indian cinephiles.
Rekha's Finest Hour
At the heart of Umrao Jaan lies an iconic performance by Rekha, whose portrayal of the 19th-century tawaif earned her the National Award for Best Actress. Director Muzaffar Ali, speaking to SCREEN, reflected on her layered preparation: 'She had to prepare on many levels—language, singing, dancing. Yes, there were people to guide her, but she performed beyond expectations.'
He added, 'Working with her was a gift because this film is woven from quiet emotions. And it takes an actor like her to absorb those feelings and translate them onto the screen.' For many, Rekha did more than just play Umrao—she became her. Her haunting eyes, graceful dance, and restrained agony turned the film into one of
Indian cinema
's most soul-stirring experiences.
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Guns, Grit, and Gharanas
Ali also recounted a fascinating moment from the shoot, revealing how a group of fans in Malihabad—some armed—eagerly stormed the set to catch a glimpse of Rekha. 'It wasn't as scary as it sounds,' he said with a smile. 'They were thrilled. And later, I even cast them in the film. You see, I made them all decoys, using the very same guns they'd brought.' The anecdote captures the fevered fandom the actress commanded even in the early '80s.
A Story Both Historic and Haunting
Adapted from Mirza Hadi Ruswa's 1899 Urdu novel Umrao Jaan Ada, the film tells the tale of Amiran, abducted and sold into a Lucknow kotha, who later reinvents herself as the poetess and courtesan Umrao Jaan. Her entanglements with three men—portrayed by Farooque Shaikh, Raj Babbar, and Naseeruddin Shah—form the emotional skeleton of a film that meditates on longing, identity, and the impossible pursuit of love.
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Muzaffar Ali noted that the inspiration to adapt the novel came from its timeless resonance. 'The idea was always about this girl, set a hundred years ago, yet facing something timeless,' he said.
Songs that Echo Through Time
No tribute to Umrao Jaan is complete without its music. Composed by the maestro
Khayyam
with lyrics by Shahryar and soulfully rendered by
Asha Bhosle
, the soundtrack has attained immortal status. 'Dil Cheez Kya Hai,' 'In Ankhon Ki Masti Ke,' and 'Yeh Kya Jagah Hai Doston' remain cultural touchstones, instantly evoking the film's melancholic grandeur.
— nfdcindia (@nfdcindia)
In an era dominated by loud visuals and quick-paced edits, Umrao Jaan is a gentle reminder of cinema as an art of stillness and silence. Its return to theatres is not just nostalgia—it's a statement. It invites newer generations to witness a kind of storytelling where poetry meets performance, and silence often says more than words.
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