It's a much-anticipated look: Aishwarya Rai as Umrao Jaan. The eponymous period film, a novel subject for a filmmaker like J P Dutta who usually deals in testosterone warbusters, has been generating the kind of buzz that one associates with a Hollywood historical. It helps of course that this is the first time that Ash and Abhishek Bachchan are being cast opposite each other since they allegedly started dating.
Dutta has been trying his best to keep the details under wraps but has finally agreed to a peek preview of what Aishwarya will look like as the classical beauty—the promos will start on Times Now today.
The film, says Dutta, is based on an Urdu novel published in 1904. "The 19th century was an era of culture, poetry, literature and fine arts. Sometimes I feel those were better days to live in, that subtlety is lost in today's world. I am inspired by Urdu poetry and literature, and I think there are audiences who are keen to learn such stories. The connection with the past is still there. In 1904, Umrao Jaan Ada was the first Urdu book that was ever printed, it was one of the earliest stories ever told, and it fired the imagination of people during that period. My film is an interpretation of the book and not a remake of any other classic,'' he says. In the midst of the colour, grandeur, music and dance, the story poignantly brings to fore society's age-old prejudice against the girl child. Dutta explains, "Even today, in certain sections of society, there's a stigma attached to bearing a girl. Such issues are highlighted in the media once in a while, and given the short span of public memory, they are soon forgotten. As much as we may deny it, even in this age women are considered a piece of flesh, instead of being looked upon as a mother, sister and creator. What we don't realise is that women are extraordinary people. They can make the world go round. Without them this world wouldn't be.''
One of Aishwarya's stunning costumes will be auctioned at the Indiatimes Auction which opens on Friday. The proceeds will go to a charity that supports the girl child, through the Times Foundation.
Get your first glimpse of the Umrao Jaan promos all day, today, exclusively on Times Now.
Ash and Abhi look very cute together,dont they😳
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