Umrao Jaan (2006)

The acting in this movie is really good.

The storyline feels a little thin and moth-eaten in parts but this sequel is plenty of fun.

It is an exhilarating, distressing, funny and profound film, with one of the more memorable film scores in years,

The tone of this movie is interesting -- the stakes are both dramatic and high, but it's balanced with a lot of fun, tongue and cheek dialogue.

Though movie is set to the period of late 19th century but there are many goofs. 1) Handpump shown in the movie is of India Mark II (http://www.skipumps.com/deepwell.htm) which came into existence around 1980.2) Tiled swimming pool and hose pipe were also not available during that time.3) Costume of Nawab is of pathani touch no where near to Lucknowi.4) During mutiny time almost everyone was fleeing from Lucknow to Faizabad or any other city, but movie shows only Aishwarya and her friends going in cart.

Despite being panned, I had hope that this film might be a fulfilling experience. The main problem with 'Umrao Jaan' is that it insists upon itself. It tries hard to be taken seriously, ergo, the script seems to be written by an eight grader who has just received a thesaurus and tries to impress his teacher by resorting to complex Lexis where simple words would do. Fact: J.P Dutta's version had all the makings of a grand tragedy: the ethereal main lead, her ashenly handsome love interest, haunting songs and magnificent sets and costumes. Furthermore,the length of the film is exhaustive...I actually had to get up and move about for a bit in order to shake the cobwebs lining the inside of my cranium. The songs, though melodiously rendered, are far too many in number and get on one's nerves after a while. Also Dutta has shown 'Umrao Jaan' to be a love story gone sour. Having read Rusva's original I can safely say that the broad outlook of the novel was to provide the reader an insight into the life of a courtesan...the love story was just a part of the text and not the novel as a whole.In conclusion, Umrao Jaan may be Aishwarya Rai's most powerful work till date and another feather in Shabana Azmi's cap but it is vaguely reminiscent of 'Memoirs of a Geisha' sans a true sense of tragedy.

Every one involved in Umrao Jaan 2006 took a big risk -- the comparisons with the 1981 version of the masterpiece are inevitable. From this point of view both the director and Aishwarya Rai earn my respect. So if you have seen the 81 version of this movie, you have to raise yourself above the comparison.About 20 seconds before the movie ended I realized that it was about to end. And I was sad. The first half of the movie is slow and potentially boring. But the second will keep you engrossed. It will be a shame if the 06 version of the movie gets bad ratings just out of comparison with the 81 version. This movie is a good investment of your 10 dollars and 3 hours.Abhshek Bachchan is weak. But no characters in the movie should matter other than Umrao Jaan. Aishwarya Rai is good. Shabana Azmi is powerful in the role she played. Years later she again showed what a powerful actress she is. The music and songs do not measure up to the songs of the 81 version but who can blame the director? It is difficult to find 8 songs to match a story. Finding 8 more is even harder. But the songs are still way better than most other movies.

I feel the movie requires a closer look. Superficially the scenes mite come out dry but look closer and you will see the reality that is staring you in your face. there is not adulteration of scenes by strong music.. just the raw reality.. Some of the scenes which seem shallow ..that is what it would be like in reality... it is slowly after the build up that the story starts to unfold... Aishwarya has pulled off the role of Umrao exceptionally well. The lyrics touch your heart with songs like "Pooch rahe hain". Shabana Azmi has played every emotion with such authenticity.. she comes out as a mother, a shrewd woman.. protecting her sanctuary... Aishwarya has repeated her excellent performance of Raincoat here. Kudos to J.P. Dutta