Rekha's Timeless Classic 'Umrao Jaan' To Re-Release In Theatres

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2 days ago

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Rekha's 1981 film Umrao Jaan, directed by Muzaffar Ali, is re-releasing in 4K in theatres. The restoration was done by NFAI and NFDC.
Always gushed over Rekha's timeless beauty in the 1981 film, Umrao Jaan? Well, cinephiles can now relive the grandeur of 19th-century Lucknow as Rekha's Umrao Jaan releases on the big screen. Not just this, the film has been beautifully restored in 4K. The restoration of the film was accomplished by film bodies National Film Archive of India (NFAI) and National Film Development Corporation (NFDC). Produced by SK Jain & Sons and Integrated Films, the cult Bollywood classic was directed by Muzaffar Ali.
Rekha's Umrao Jaan will re-release on the big screen on June 27. To celebrate the significant re-release, veteran filmmaker Muzaffar Ali is also launching a limited-edition coffee table book that provides an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the making of Umrao Jaan. The book includes never-before-seen photographs, costume sketches, calligraphy, poetry, and personal anecdotes from the set, making it a collector's item and a thoughtful tribute to the film's artistic vision. Designed for cinephiles, cinema students, and culture enthusiasts, the book will be released simultaneously with the film's theatrical revival.
Umrao Jaan is a poignant exploration of love, loss, and longing and is regarded as one of Indian cinema's most visually and emotionally compelling works. Rekha's portrayal of the courtesan-poetess is considered one of the greatest performances in film history, earning her the National Film Award for Best Actress. With music by Khayyam and lyrics by Shahryar, the film's ghazals – Dil Cheez Kya Hai, In Aankhon Ki Masti, and Justuju Jiski Thi – remain beloved across generations. The film was remade in 2006 under the same name, starring Aishwarya Rai in the lead role.
Meticulously restored for contemporary audiences, this edition of Umrao Jaan retains the essence of the original while enhancing its visual and auditory splendor. The film returns as part of PVR INOX's Timeless Classics initiative, which curates landmark films that have shaped Indian cinema's artistic heritage.
Reflecting on the re-release, filmmaker Muzaffar Ali shared, 'Umrao Jaan was not just a film—it was a journey into the soul of a lost culture, a forgotten tehzeeb. Through her pain, poetry, and grace, we tried to resurrect the elegance of an era where love and longing spoke in verse. I had actors who brought a lot of heft to their characters, and then there was Rekha, who lived Umrao Jaan and truly immortalised it. I am thrilled that the film is back on the big screen for a whole new generation to discover a time and culture that's very much a part of our being."
Rekha spoke about Umrao Jaan's re-release. She said, 'Umrao Jaan is not just a film I acted in — she lives within me, breathes through me, even now. At the time, none of us could have imagined the timelessness of the film, the way it would gently etch itself into the soul of Indian cinema. To see it return to the big screen is like watching an old love letter being opened by a new generation. My heart is full."
Umrao Jaan has been restored under the National Film Heritage Mission, an initiative by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. MD NFDC, Shri Prakash Magdum added, 'To restore Umrao Jaan, NFDC-NFAI has been working for almost a year in collaboration with Muzaffar Ali, the director of the film. He was instrumental in locating the original negatives of the film, which should have been the best source of restoration. Due to the condition of the negatives and the fragile nature of celluloid, the film was restored using a 35mm release print which had been preserved at NFAI for decades. This has been the case with many recent restorations of Indian films, where the only good source survives in the National Film Archive of India. The colour grading of the 4K restoration was supervised by Muzaffar Ali himself, and I am sure the film lovers would enjoy this restored cinematic gem nationwide in cinemas."
1981 film Umrao Jaan's supporting cast includes Farooq Shaikh as Nawab Sultan, Umrao's love interest; Naseeruddin Shah as Gohar Mirza; Raj Babbar as Faiz Ali; and Shaukat Kaifi as Khanum Jaan. Other notable performances come from Dina Pathak as Husseini, Gajanan Jagirdar as Maulvi Saheb, Prema Narayan as Bismillah Jaan, and Satish Shah as Daroga Dilawar. The film also marked the acting debut of Farrukh Jaffar, who played Umrao's mother.
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