Acclaimed Hindi Film Umrao Jaan Released-1981

“A Classic Par Excellence Film”

Film Umrao Jaan (Released in 1981)

(Based on Umrao Jaan Ada By Mirza Adi Ruswa)

Producer & Director – Muzaffar Ali

Writers – Story, Screenplay, Dialogues

Muzaffar Ali

Javed Siddiqui

Shama Zaidi

Cinematographer – Pravin Bhatt

Editor – B. Prasad

Lyricist – Shahryar

Music Director – Khayyam

Star Cast

Rekha

Farooq Sheikh

Naseeruddin Shah

Raj Babbar

Shaukat Kaifi Azmi

Dina Pathak

Prema Narayan

Gajanan Jagirdar

Reeta Rani Kaul

Songs

• Dil Cheez Kya Hai Aap Meri Jaan Lijiye, Bas Ek Baar Mera Kaha Maan Lijiye
• In Ankhon Ki Masti Ke, Mastane Hazaron Hain
• Justuju Jiski Thi Usko To Na Paya Hamne
• Kahe Ko Byahi Bides, Oh Lakhya Babul More
• Zindagi Jab Bhi Teri Bazm mein Lati Hai Hamein
• Yeh Kya Jagah Hai Doston
• Jhoola Kinne Dala
• Jab Bhi Milti Hai Mujhe, Ajnabi Lagti Kyon Hai
• Pratham Dhar Dhyan

Story

A girl, Amiran (Teenager Rekha), is kidnapped from her family in Faizabad, Oudh, by their neighbour as an act of revenge and sold to a courtesan, Shaukat Kaifi Azmi, who owns a brothel in Lucknow.  She trains courtesans (Tawaif), and she gives Rekha a new name, Umrao Jaan. Umrao Jaan  (Rekha) learns to read, write, dance, sing, and charm wealthy men. She is a cultured woman trained to captivate men of wealth and taste. She is the famous courtesan Umrao Jaan.

(Rekha) catches the eye of Nawab Sultan (Farooq Sheikh), and they fall in love, but Farooq Sheikh has to marry another girl to please his family.

Devastated Rekha finds solace in the arms of a dashing Bandit-Decoit, Faiz Ali (Raj Babbar), and he woos and wins her. Umrao Jaan ( Rekha) runs away with Raj Babbar, hoping to marry him and leave the world of the courtesan far behind. But local police kill Raj Babbar, and she is alone, with no choice but to return to her old life.

Soon, the British attack the city of Lucknow, and the residents are forced to flee. Umrao Jaan’s (Rekha) group of refugees stops in a small village near Lucknow. The residents ask the courtesan to sing and dance. Umrao Jaan (Rekha), looking around her, realizes that this is her town, Faizabad, her family, the place from which she was kidnapped. She had been so young when kidnapped that she had forgotten. 

She remembers her mother, house, younger brother, and the place where she was kidnapped. She sings the song, “Yeh kya jagah hai doston?” (What kind of place is this, friends?). She is hurt, as her people were treating her like an entertainer.

She meets her mother and younger brother, who had thought that she was dead. Her mother is happy to see her again and ready to welcome her back into the family, but her brother forbids it.  He says she is tainted by her profession and must not return to embarrass them.

In the end, Lonely Umrao Jaan (Rekha) returns to her deserted and looted brothel in Lucknow, with no one to accompany her.  She has to start again, in her profession and in poetry.

The climax scene is beautifully directed by director Muzzafar Ali, wherein  REKHA CLEANS THE DUSTED  MIRROR WITH THE CORNER OF HER DRESS TO SEE HER REFLECTION. “JUSTUJU JISKI THI USKO TO NA PAYA HUMNE”.

Awards

Rekha won the National Award for Best Actress.

Asha Bhosle won the National Award for Best Playback Singer.

Khayyam won the National Award for Best Music Director.

Manzoor won the National Award for Best Art Director.

Muzaffar Ali won the Filmfare Award for Best Film Director.

Khayyam won the Filmfare Award for Best Music Director.

(Image: Google Images)