Umrao Jaan

Umrao Jaan

Muzaffar Ali, India, 1981, 145’

One of the magical highlights of Bollywood, the immortal actress Rekha, graced with the golden voice of legendary singer Asha Bhosle. The opening film of the first edition of the Kino Otok festival in 2004.

Northern India in the 19th century. A little girl is kidnapped by an unknown horseman while playing in her home garden. Umrao Jaan experiences a major life change at a young age as she is torn from the safe shelter of her family, sold and trained as a courtesan. She becomes famous for her beauty and velvety voice, and many admirers enter her life. She returns the love of the young prince, but only for a short time, as he is too weak to defy the strict rules of society. Umrao Jaan escapes and years later accidentally finds her lost family.

“She was interested in not just the songs, she was interested in Lucknow. She wanted to know how people behave there, how they talk, all about the tehzeeb (culture) and tameez (etiquette). /…/ She wanted to get a feeling of that. She made me read the book to her, she made me explain the character’s journey through poetry. She really understood that she would have to bring out many shades of the character: mischief, optimism, disillusionment, and frustration. I could have done nothing if she was not inquisitive, curious, and eager to be different.” Muzaffar Ali about Asha Bhosle

“Since the film premiered, not a day goes by in my life that someone doesn’t congratulate me on it. It’s like someone pouring nectar into my glass every day.” – Muzaffar Ali

Muzaffar Ali is essentially a painter and filmmaker deeply inspired by Sufism has developed a discerning eye and vision for aesthetics and humanity. He has established an in-depth admiration for his creativity all over the world and follows his creative pursuits without compromise – music, painting, fashion, craft, design – culminating in his passion for making films.

The screening is dedicated to the memory of Asha Bhosle.

The film is part of the program Lights, Camera, Bollywood! A cycle of Indian Masterpieces. In collaboration with the Embassy of India.