If you want to know the story of an ill fate, listen to this story of ’Umrao’ Jaan. When we are dreaming for tomorrow, we do not know what the fate have in store for us. In this story, one can find the merciless play by the fate on human dreams.
The film begins where the author Mirza Haadi Ruswa of the famous novel "Umrao Jaan Ada" meet "Umrao" in her house in Avadh, Lucknow. A courtesan and a poetess in her own right, Umrao Jaan is singing the songs of her ill fate.
Ameeran was a sweet girl, lived with her parents and a little brother. Her father told witness against Dilawar Khan in a case and he was jailed. After the jail term Dilawar Khan is looking for an opportunity to revenge Ameeran’s father. Knowing that her father loved her so much, he decided to kidnap her and sold to a brothel run by Khanum Sahib (Shabana Azmi). Khanum give the name "Umrao" to Ameeran and from there she became Umrao. Eventhough Khanum was the owner of "Umroa", Bua Husseini [Himani Shivpuri] took Umrao to her house with permission and bought her up with the help of Maulvi Sahib [Kulbhushan Kharbanda] she got good education. She learned music & dance. Finally the day has come where she has to perform "Mujra" to the request of Nawab Sultan (Abhishek Bhachchan). Umrao liked Nawab Sultan in her first look itself and Nawab Sultan was impressed by her performance as well. Love blossomed and Umrao known as "Umrao Jaan" from the next day. Nawab Sultan used to visit her everyday. Nawab inherited his son Nawab Sultan and he is a helpless fellow now. Enters the main villain in the form of decoit Faiz Ali (Sunil Shetty), knowing that Umrao is Nawab Sultan’s sweet heart to the kotha. He has scores to settle with Sultan’s uncle, who wish to marry his daughter Saba to Nawab Sultan. What we see now is the play of fate which took the light out of Umrao’s days with its black hands. Will Nawab Sultan return to Umrao? How Faiz Ali take his revenge? Will Umrao meet her parents? What was the fate of Diawar Khan? "Umrao Jaan" tells the answers for these questions.
The story itself was a classic and it has converted nicely to screenplay by OP Dutta. The Director who no introduction in Bollywood, JP Dutta did his job neatly in part, especially in the second half. The film is 20 reels and just over 3 hours, but the script is not sufficient to hold the audience attention throughout. The director lost the battle within the first hour itself where the narration lagged support from the writer and the director. However, he tried to make a come back in the second half. I would say, the last 45 minutes of the film is done extremely brilliant and applauds to JP for such fine moments. However, the damage has been done already. Another minus for the film from the part of Director is the film in the first half looked very much 70s.
Umrao Jaan belongs to Aiswarya Rai. After Tamil Film "Iruvar" by Mani Rathnam & "Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam" this is the best performance by Aiswarya Rai. Abhishek Bachchan did his role neatly, though his performance could have improved. Sunil Shetty plays the cool villain, his selection really helped to keep the suspense for more. The little girl Bansree Madhani did a good job as well. Shabana Azmi justified her role with performance and rest of the cast rose to the expectation. Overall performance ranges from ordinary to Brilliant.
The music of the film is so monotonous, giving the similarity of the occasions. Having said that, the song " Agle Janam Mohe Bitiya" stand alone in the crowd and it really intruded to one’s heart. The "Salam" song was also good. Javed Akhtar need special mention as well on the meaningul lines.. The back ground music doesn’t support the proceedings most of the time and sometimes it gives a negative feeling as well. In brief, Anu Malik has no good news from this film, though his efforts are noted.
Cinematography is average plus. The lights and colours are mixed well, eventhough improvement looked possible. Sets are extremely good in occasions and good in many places. Choreography is brilliant, though repetitive at times. Two songs, especially the one using the sky blue colour and the one where Aishwarya performs her first mujra, are extra brilliantly shot.
Editing is simply bad. The film could have or should have trimmed by 30 minutes, if not more to keep the pace in place.
There are three scenes which needs special mention. 1. Where Umrao goes back to her house and the reaction of the family. 2. Umrao meets Dilawar Khan at the end. These two occasions are really heart warming if not heart breaking.
Overall, Umrao Jaan is a well attempted movie, but failed to reach to the expectation. The film is worth a watch for Aiswarya Rai, Aiswarya Rai and the story in the second half. The lyrics of Javed Akhtar touches my heart…"In my next birth don’t give me this fate…don’t bring me as a daughter again". If you are patient enough, there is a good story to follow in this film which is presented nicely by JP Dutta.