Muzaffar Ali's Umrao Jaan is a work of great mastery. Ali adopts Mirza Hadi Ruswa's novel and does it skillfully. Telling the story of Amiran, who was kidnapped as a young girl and sold in brothel in Lahore to become a renowned courtesan and poetess, Umrao Jaan is what people call an art film, and it is a very good art film at that. The film is, indeed, benefitted by a stark atmosphere of authenticity, and coupled with its poignant and heartbreaking story, as well as its poetic tone, keeps engaging the audience as they feel for the heroine as the proceedings unfold. And if that is not enough, it is a true visual treat, boasting of extraordinary sets and costumes and providing a fascinating glimpse into the ancient years and places where the story is supposed to take place. Ali's direction is excellent, and he manages to make it much more than just a costume drama. The cinematic quality of this film in both writing, production values and aesthetics cannot be doubted, but the film actually has soul.
But Umrao Jaan, both the film and the character, will always be
remembered for one reason. It is Rekha who creates, understands, inhabits and immortalises Umrao Jaan, breathing life, passion, soul and mountainous strength into her troubled character. In a subtle and heartbreaking performance, she conveys much of her loneliness and yearning through her hauntingly expressive eyes, refined dialogue delivery and extraordinary depth, and sometimes merely through just her nonverbal, electrifying presence. Her Umrao is relatable and mysterious at the same time, and is just fascinating altogether. Few scenes can compare to those in which she poignantly recites her poetry; or desperately tears away her past lover's shirt when he invites her to his wedding; or reacts to the long-awaited encounter with her mother and brother; and the one in which she finally accepts her fate. Her superb dance numbers are very much a part of her soulful performance because through them one can see Umrao's entire essence and inner feelings, and in them she actually finds solace and a way to cry her heart out.
Speaking of the music, this is one of those films where the songs are not just pastime but an integral part of the story in that they convey a whole range of emotions that the character goes through and help forward its story. Asha Bhosle's divine, sharp and sensual voice is surely one of the film's trumpcards, and without her soulful, highly-skilled renditions, this film would not have been complete. Her singing and Rekha's acting complement each other in a true example of superb playback singing. To sum it up, Umrao Jaan is a difficult story and a poignant film of unmatched excellence and artistry. Its many great advantages notwithstanding, it is Rekha's devastating portrayal which tugs at the heartstrings and resonates in mind after the film is over. This is one of the best performances by an Indian actress, and well, her name will obviously always come first to mind the moment Umrao Jaan is mentioned.
