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More news →Ash or Rekha: The Better Umrao Jaan?
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.
Alka Yagnik is the voice of Umrao Jaan
While Asha Bhonsle is still considered as the voice of 'Umrao Jaan' from the 80s since she crooned some timeless gems for Rekha, the current generation may soon hail Alka Yagnik at that position for years to come. J.P. Dutta and Anu Malik have roped in Alka Yagnik to be the sole voice of Aishwarya Rai and that's the reason one finds her crooning each of the tracks that feature Aishwarya Rai. This makes 'Umrao Jaan' one of the biggest albums of Alka Yagnik's decade old career ever and is certainly a feather in her shining cap. The initial reactions to the album have been promising and it seems almost certain that contemporary India would soon get hooked on to these 'raaga' based compositions by Malik.
History Is Being Written with Umrao Jaan, says Shabana Azmi
'I think in the history of Indian cinema it is for the first time that the mother and daughter have played the same part and for me of course it was a big challenge,' says Shabana Azmi, the actress of giant proportions who has done India proud in all the national and international forums. She is eagerly looking forward to enacting a role immortalized by her mother Shaukat Azmi in Muzaffar Ali's 'Umrao Jaan'. 'Shaukat Azmi has played the part of Khanam Jaan with such perfection that people still remember her so I approached the role with some trepidation and also a lot of excitement because of the challenge. The fact that my mother was there, she helped me choose my clothes, familiarize me with the Avadh culture, help me with the pronunciation and the fact that I had her blessings,' says Shabana with a smile. Her father Kaifi Azmi was a well known poet and lyricist and her husband Javed Akhtar has penned the lyrics for 'Umrao Jaan'. Many of you may not be aware that Shabana is a talented singer who actually sang all the songs of a film 'Anjuman' directed by the director of earlier 'Umrao Jaan' Muzaffar Ali. It's but obvious that we had to take her opinion on the subject of the music of JP Dutta's 'Umrao Jaan'. 'The music is outstanding and the music is also different because the earlier film had more of ghazal genre and this is much more the mujra genre and so the music is different and wonderful,' she signs off.
Hope Rajkumars legacy continues with latest Umrao Jaan
Puru rajkumar is the son of eminent actor Late Rajkumar. He made his debut with Karishma Kapoor in Bal Brahmachari in 1996. And also proved himself in movies like Hamara Dil Apke Pass Hain, Mission Kashmir, Uljhan, Bharat Bhagya Vidhata, Badhai ho badhai, Vadh, Jaago and Mohabbat Hogai hai Tumse. now with the much awaited J.P. Dutta's Umrao Jaan. J.P. Dutta's adaption of the Urdu novel "Umrao Jan Ada" by Mirza Haadi Ruswa. Puru is playing Gauhar Mirza in this movie. 'Gauhar is a son of Kothevali who loves a Nawab. After loosing his parents he will be brought up by Kothe valies. He grows up along with Umrao later who falls in love with him. In old Umrao Jaan the character was played by Nasiruddin Shah. The movie made history in its time and as usual comparisons will be their in industry so naturally the pressure will come to do better than the original. We all know about Nasiruddin Shah's acting lets hope Puru may get good appreciations for his work in this movie. Speaking to press Puru added that working with people like J.P.Datta and Shabana Azmi. I already worked with J.P Saab in LoC for the first time. I had to emote sadness, frustration, defeat and many other emotions anyways Datta Saab got all those things from me.