Old things would always be superior and worth remembering. Nothing is comparable to old Umrao Jaan!!! I don’t think bollywood should remake the masterpieces. They are the treasure and should be kept as they are. It should not be remade or give color to it. It looses its worth.
I think I should not discuss the plot as its too soon to open up the whole of it and many must have seen the best of it (Old).
Cast: Aishwarya, Abhishek, Shabana Azmi, Himani Shivpuri, Kulbhushan Kharbanda, Sunil shetty
Director: J.P. Dutta
Aish, as Umrao Jaan, (Amiran) looks good, did a good job. Her dresses and jwellery were amazing. A very rich colection indeed. But its all about comparing. Rekha was amazing. Her "aankhon ki masti" was a masterpiece and it mesmerised everyone!!! Rekha did got a national award for her performance but Aish is far behind. Her face did not look as if she is a tawaif. She was looking like - handle me with care- very delicate. Only towards the end when she is heart broken and is send back to the brothel by first AB and then second time by his own mother (Maya Alag) a very small role, when she meets her in Faizabad (native town ) her emotions did speak.
Small B, as Nawab Sultan, again no comparison with Farouque Sheikh. His entry (FS) in "aankhon ki masti" and his expression of apreciation did wonders at that time. The spark of love which should be shown by AB was no where to be seen. He was not looking upto the mark, may be because of a serious role. It did not suited him.
Shabana, as khala, what can be said of her. She is just excellent in what is given to her. No one is comparable to her. She is she and no one else.
Now comes the music part. The sher or shayari was not impressive as the old one. The lyrics I don’t think anyone would remember and lyrics for the old version I think no one would forget!!!
On the whole, please do watch the old version too who have not seen that and then you surely would find the difference.