Umrao Jaan

Directed by Muzaffar Ali, India, 1981, 145mins
Cast: Rekha, Farouque Shaikh, Naseeruddin Shah, Raj Babbar
Print Source: DEI

Based on a classic Urdu novel, this is the tale of a lonely courtesan (Rekha) who was abducted as a child and trained in music and dance.

Her performances begin to attract a following to the Lucknow harem where she works, including the wealthy young Nawab Sultan (Farouque Shaikh) who is drawn by her beauty and talent. After swapping poetry they embark on a mismatched love affair, but when the nawab attacks another customer who is harassing Umrao, they are forced to separate and she retreats to the comforts of her childhood friend (Naseeruddin Shah).

The film is renowned for Khayyam's traditional score, including a number of ghazals sung beautifully by Asha Bhosle and brought to life by Rekha, whose spell-binding performance here launched her career. Most notable number is "In Aakhon ki Masti" - when Umrao first sees Sultan - a song which continues to be remixed and copied today.

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