Aishwarya Rai or Rekha. Who makes better 'Umrao Jaan'? The television news channels are soon going to go on an overdrive with spilt screen comparisons of the two films. MusicMazaa will give you the first sneak peek into what makes the original UJ special as compared to JP Dutta's version. Firstly a small piece of information that many of you may find interesting. Muzaffar Ali, the producer director of Rekha's 'Umrao Jaan' is the father of 'Bunty Aur Babli' director Shaad Ali. You didn't know that'Right'Now you do'
The music of earlier 'Umrao Jaan' continues to be classic while the latest version by Anu Malik is no match to Khayyam's timeless melodies. Except for 'Salaam' the rest of the music score falls flat. A lot is being said about Aishwarya's costumes, but it is also being said that a 'topi' that she is wearing along with a magnificent blue dress was non-existent during the late nineteenth century (That's the era the story of Umrao Jaan Ada is based in). Muzaffar Ali, a fashion designer himself had personally selected and made the dresses for Rekha by the craftsmen of Avadhi culture who knew precisely about the cultural ethos of the late nineteenth century. Even the jewellery was specially made keeping the era in mind. It goes without saying Fashion Designer Anna Singh's international appeal doesn't match the Lucknavvi craftsmanship.
Whereas Rekha's chemistry with her main lover Farukh Sheikh (In fact Farukh Sheikh is best remembered only for 'Umrao Jaan') was electrifying, I would quote a television journalist friend of mine who said that Ash-Abhishek jodi doesn't enthuse any fireworks. In fact he said that it's totally 'Thanda'. I think I agree with him.
With Farhan Akhtar's 'Don' failing the acid test as far as comparisons with the original goes, JP Dutta's 'Umrao Jaan' is all set to face an uphill task as it dances its way to cinema halls on November 3. Let's see if the final picture has a surprise worth talking.