Cast-Abhishek Bachchan , Aishwarya Rai
Director-J.P Dutta
Release date-3rd November , 2006
The wait is finally over as J.P Duttas magnum opus finally makes its way onto our screen. UMRAO JAAN is without a doubt one of the years most anticipated films from its story, acclaimed director to the brilliant music. The movie has generated a buzz among movie goers like never before and the hype for the movie was immense.
The question on everyones mind-does UMRAO JAAN live upto expectations? Does it match the classic of the same name?Friends-though UMRAO JAAN doesnt quiet match the brilliance of Rekha starrer, the movie is no doubt one of the most brilliant films to come out from Bollywood in recent times!
For those who aren?t aware with previous film , the movie revolves around UMRAO JAAN(Amiran, Aishwarya) The movie begins beautifully in the Faizabad with Ruswa getting to hear Amiran’s Story by Umrao Jaan Ada. Amiran’s childhood in the region to her being sold in Lukhnow is beautifully portrayed. The part is really commendable. Her first experience in a brothel (kotha) with Khannum and Bua is elderly at one time, cruel at other and human at some. She tries to run from the place only to be with her parents and brother once again unknowingly that the reality of her new place is something that must have been her foremost reason to escape from the place.
Screenplay writers O.P Dutta/J.P dutta have done a remarkable job as the the story is true to the original classic for the major part. A theme like this can be a rather boring venture but the team of writers have brillianty merged drama in the narrative .
J.P Dutta as the captain of the ship is a genius! With UMRAO JAAN, he proves that he is one of the BEST story tellers we have in Bollywood today. One must envy him for his vision bringing something nostalgic like on screen which is by no means an easy feat yet Dutta for the most manages to achieve this with success! Right from the look and feel of the movie, the poetic visuals are all sheer magic.
Dialogues are excellent and applauseworthy .At this juncture I would like to mention the pre climax when Aishwarya visits her old house yet again which takes the graph of the film to another level.Technically the movie is award worthy. Never before Lucknow looked so beautiful!There are many sequences which leaves the viewer with a lump in their throat and tears in their eyes.
These include *The scene where Amiran is kiddnaped * The scene where Aishwarya and Himani both are lieing in bed and she tries to escape from her *The salaam song *When Aishwarya visits Guj along with Sunil shetty *Also Aishwaryas scene in the pre-climax where she goes to visit her house is simply outstanding. *Climax with old Vishwajeet pradhan lying on the ground is a master stroke .
Musically the movie is a masterpiece and after the watching the movie one appreciates the soundtrack much more. This ranks as the best soundtrack of the year.
Aishwarya delivers an extraordinary performance as Umrao jaan! Her powerful screen presence dominates every screen she is in and her use of his body language and eyes is outstanding here.Abhishek is reasonably good in his part. Shabana is great. She delivers a towering performance and one that is truly award worthy! Sunil Shetty is reliable as ever in a negative role
To sum up UMRAO JAAN is one brilliant film that is indeed a must-see! Some will like it more than others no doubt, but the movie is one of the most satisfying movie experiences I have had in a long time.