We’re screening this timeless classic of Indian cinema as part of the UK Asian Film Festival, an event which brings together an inspiring range of films, interactive events and diverse voices that reflect the richness of communities and the extraordinary imagination of artists working across the world.
Based on Mirza Hadi Ruswa’s classic Urdu novel, Umrao Jaan follows the heartbreaking journey of Amiran (Rekha), a young girl abducted from her family and sold to a kotha in Lucknow. Rechristened Umrao, she is trained in the fine arts of poetry, music, and dance, eventually becoming the city’s most celebrated courtesan.
Directed by Muzaffar Ali, the film is lauded for its exquisite attention to historical detail, from the authentic Kathak choreography to Khayyam’s hauntingly soulful soundtrack. Rekha delivers a career-defining performance in this evocative masterpiece, which remains a poignant meditation on the cost of beauty and the fragility of home.
