I remember Muzaffar Ali’s Umrao Jaan not as a classic but for the unfairness of it all. 1981 was also the year of Jennifer Kendall’s wonderful, unassuming performance in 36 Chowringhee Lane that was ignored at the major award ceremonies for Rekha’s much-hyped star act. I think Aishwarya Rai conducts herself rather ably here, crying ever so fetchingly, dancing efficiently and talking in husky whispers, fitting in with the demands of a Bollywood tearjerker. Problem is, J.P. Dutta reduces Umrao to just that—a melodrama and nothing more. The strength, the emotional highs and lows and the tragedy of the woman, who is forever betrayed by her men and destiny, don’t run deep.
More than the journey of the woman’s life, it becomes a straightforward love triangle complete with silly misunderstandings and petty jealousies. What’s worse are the two suitors Ash is saddled with: Junior B is hopelessly miscast as the Nawab and Suneil Shetty makes a total hash of the robber who pines for her. It’s all about the pristine love, "pakeeza mohabbat" of Umrao for Nawab. Wasn’t Umrao’s life far more tempestuous? I remember Ali’s film for a dramatic twist he had introduced, the man Umrao loves marries her childhood friend. That tragic aspect is done away completely.
Ali’s Umrao Jaan was all about strong performances from the support cast, be it Shaukat Azmi, Naseeruddin Shah or Rita Rani Kaul. Ash is backed by a totally inefficient set of actors who seem to have been doled out jobs after long bouts of unemployment. The lack of practice shows. There’s Ayesha Jhulka, Puru Raj Kumar, Vikram Saluja, guys who can’t even speak Hindi properly leave alone period Awadhi. Pray, what was the need to bring them out of the cupboards? The one talented lady, Divya Dutta, hardly gets any time. And with a ho hum bunch for company, what else could Shabana do but shine brightly?
The extremely slow pace is severely sleep-inducing, the most dramatic of scenes come across as rather inert and the long takes don’t hold the audience interest. The old-style rituals of love look too outdated and the chemistry between Ash-Junior B refuses to light up the screen. The biggest letdown, however, would be Anu Malik’s music.
High Fives
Bollywood
1. Don
2. Umrao Jaan
3. Jaan-e-Mann
4. Lage Raho Munnabhai
5. Dor
Hollywood
1. Borat! Cultural Learnings
2. The Santa Clause 3
3. Flushed Away
4. Saw III
5. The Departed
Pop
1. Live Lounge (Various Artists)
2. Tah Dah! (Scissor Sisters)
3. Back to Black (Amy Winehouse)
4. Road to Escondido (JJ Cale, Eric Clapton )
5. Rudebox (Robbie Williams)
Courtesy: Film Information
