Film Title

Umrao Jaan

Director

Muzaffar Ali

Synopsis

Umrao Jaan by Muzaffar Ali is an adaptation of Mirza Hadi Ruswa's 1899 Urdu novel “Umrao Jaan Ada”, which tells the story of a Lucknow tawaif and poet, and her rise to fame. It’s considered a classic of Indian cinema immortalised by the music of Khayyam, the Urdu poetry of Shahryar, Asha Bhosle, and the exquisite beauty and iconic performance by the superstar Rekha in the lead role. Ali, a multifaceted artist and connoisseur of poetry, created this period drama, set in 1857 Lucknow, as a souvenir of Awadhi culture, fabricating an entire milieu through resplendent costume design and detailed art direction. Though an independent arthouse film made outside the syntax of mainstream cinema, it achieved a cult status.

Production Year

1981

Production Country

India

Running Time

2h25

With

Rekha Ganeshan, Farooq Shaikh, Naseeruddin Shah, Raj Babbar, Shaukat Kaifi

Festivals/Awards

Best Actress, Best Art Direction, Best Music Director, Best Playback Singer - National Film Awards, India 1982

Language / Subtitles

In Hindi and Urdu with English subtitles

Trailer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfJRzpswvG4

Restored copy