Font Size 
Umrao Jaan, a dad’s dream come true
Published on Wed, Oct 04, 2006 at 23:02, Updated on Thu, Oct 05, 2006 at 07:42 in Entertainment section
Tags: Bollywood, Aishwarya Rai , London
Related Stories
Gujarat dry status an ideological hangover? 
- India dry, Pawar says well-stocked for 13 months | Drought diary
- Manmohan, Gilani fix up meeting without a date
- India puts it in writing: Pak planned 26/11
- Burger King apologises to Hindus for offensive ad
- SC takes up plea against gay sex, issues notice
- Suspected Dawood aide acquitted in fake currency case
- Another 'lover' arrested at Sania Mirza's house
- Mumbai, Pune and Delhi face 30-40 pc water shortage
- Politicos get into the ABC of Varun's Z-plus security
Photogallery
 |  |
London: "Kothas were actually the finishing schools of nawabs," J P Dutta, tells in his usual matter-of-factly fashion.
And the claim befits the tale of Umrao Jaan Ada, a Lucknow courtesan who was immortalized on celluloid first by Muzzafar Ali, and 20 years later by Dutta in his Abhishek Bachchan-Aishwarya Rai starrer Umrao Jaan which is slated for release this November.
For Dutta, Umrao Jaan has been a personal vow made to his father 20-years ago.
"My father (OP Dutta) had started a film on the life of Umrao Jaan with yesteryear’s actress Nimmi. But he left it unfinished. I had given him a word way back in 1980’s that I will fulfill his dream," he says.
And he is not the only one who has parental strings attached to the film.
Shabana Azmi will be stepping into her mother Shaukat Kaifi's shoes to essay the role of Khanum Jaan - the trainer of courtesans.
"I don't think it's happened anywhere in the history of world cinema that a mother and her daughter have played exactly the same role. There is something very titillating and exciting about the film. It was also challenging at the same time," she says.
More than a mere remake of the 1981 musical, the film is being publicised as an adaptation of Mirza Haadi Ruswa's novel Umrao Jaan-e-Ada. No wonder Abhishek essaying the role of Nawab Sultan in the film resents comparisons.
"I am not really bothered if people think they need to compare the two films. J P saab never set out to make a remake. He has only made an adaptation of the book, not of Muzaffarji's film," he says.
Aishwarya, who would be seen dancing to traditional mujras in the film says it was all about delivering the best.
"My director wanted to see 'her' (the character) come alive. And to see that smile of satisfaction, that nod of contentment or just the approval was super precious for me."
An unforgettable tale retold, Umrao Jaan promises to take its viewers on a trip down the memory lane.
| Ads by Google |
| Related Ads: | |
URBANEYE
Read Comment | Post Comment
Be the first to comment.