Muzaffar Ali Reflects On Enduring Feminine Legacy Of ‘Umrao Jaan’

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MUMBAI (IANS) – As Umrao Jaan returns to theatres on June 27 in a newly restored 4K version, director Muzaffar Ali spoke about the film’s lasting impact and its deep-rooted portrayal of feminine identity.

“Umrao Jaan is not just the story of a place or a culture—it’s the identity of womanhood,” Ali said. “It is passion, rootedness, and care for detail. Rekha’s performance remains one of the greatest portrayals of a woman onscreen.”

Alongside the restored screening, a special coffee table book will offer a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the film. The book features rare photographs, costume sketches, calligraphy, poetry, and personal memories from the set.

Commenting on the film’s legacy, Ali noted, “There is an uncanny continuity in carrying forward the essence of Umrao Jaan. Almost three generations have revered it as an heirloom of emotional evolution. It’s a twofold experience—revisiting a grandparent’s sensibility and discovering it anew.”

Rekha, reflecting on the re-release, shared, “Umrao Jaan is not just a film I acted in—she lives within me, breathes through me, even now. At the time, none of us imagined its timelessness. Watching it return to the big screen is like seeing an old love letter opened by a new generation.”