Umrao Jaan - Endless Tragedy of Errors

The man with a heart that booms with the passion of warfare artillery has gone seriously wrong by composing a courtesan's plaintive number on celluloid. Yes J P Dutta should stick to guns of patriotism for the roses of romance die before they blossom in his cosmetic period drama 'Umrao Jaan'. And no, Aishwariya isn't the best thing in this musical tearjerker.

If anyone really dazzles with the sheer dexterity and range of emotions then it has to be Shabana Azmi. For her hard hitting performance is the most notable thing about this well-over-three-hour-film (The editor must have been sleeping I guess). Shabana is a great actress but what's most praiseworthy in her performance is that she has taken immaculate care of fitting the context of the mid nineteenth century Lucknow culture. How! She is the only one who speaks Urdu with correct pronunciation. And trust me Urdu is such a beautiful language that if it's diction is not proper then the rest of the details like fancy costumes and lavish sets seem out of context and detached. There are several other details which enable Shabana to literally dwarf all other performances, but then I don't think you guys are keen on a thesis on the movie. So, how 'bout moving ahead with this review…

J P Dutta had a tough task on his hand when he set out to make 'Umrao Jaan'. Comparisons are inevitable even though he may shout from the rooftop that his version is not a remake as it based on a work of fiction. So, does he measure any close to Muzaffar Ali. Not at all. I would say 'Don' was a well made remake for at least it had something new to offer and it was entertaining too. Here, J P takes ages in telling the sad story of Amiran (Ash) as to how she is sold at a Kotha in Lucknow to a calculative yet heart-of-gold Khanam Jaan (Shabana). Amiran turns into the bewitchingly beautiful 'Umrao Jaan' the famous courtesan who loses her heart to Sexy Pathan Nawab Sultan (Abhishek Bachchan).

A few-love-moments in the lover's arms later, 'Umrao' is called an infidel by wine-eyed Nawab. Their love story was genuine but somehow Time had some other plans as a dacoit Faiz Ali (Suneil Shetty) stabs their happiness while losing his own. Umrao never recovers as she encounters one tragedy after another. Although poignancy dots the story but somehow the emphasis is more on the designer jewellery, heavy and grossly embroidered costumes, colossal sets (they look tacky at times), even Aishwariya's make-up is totally out-of-place at times.

Anu Malik's music is worth a 'Salaam'. Well, 'Salaam' is one of the mujra's in the film and that happens to be the only song that haunts you once the movie is over. I also liked 'Agle Janam Mohe Bitiya Na Kijo'. But when you compare with Khayyam's magical spell of 'In Ankhon Ki Masti Ke', 'Dil Cheez Kya Hai' and 'Justuju Jiski Thi Usko To Na Paaya Humne' then Anu Malik stands no chance at all. Although Alka Yagnik is no Asha Bhosle but I think this is by far her finest performance yet as a singer who has sung semi classical songs with fantastic innovation in rendition as well as expression. Vaibhavi Merchant's dance steps rely more on coquettish facial expressions than any firebrand dance steps. Ayananka Bose's camerawork is gripping.

Finally, in the acting department, Ash is no Rekha as SRK can't be any patch on Big B. But yes, this is Aishwariya Rai at her best. Lack of consistency in performance is made up by a lot of sincerity and feeling for the character she is enacting. One can notice a lot of warmth in her eyes and body language while showing her physicality towards Abhishek Bachchan's Sultan. Aby baby is made out to be macho and that is one of the most filmi aspects JP could have resorted to. No, this is not Junior B's better performances. I would say he shouldn't have done a relatively smaller role considering he has proved his credentials as an actor and it's time he remains in the forefront.

Rest of the cast comprising of Puru Raj Kumar (he has a future), Divya Dutta (wasted), Ayesha Jhulka (how can you cast her as a courtesan looking at her puffy face and overweight bulkiness), Himan Shivpuri (fine), Suneil Shetty (loud as usual) remain more or less in the background. Kulbhushan Kharbanda as Maulvi sahib gives you those lump-in-the-throat moments while he interacts with 'Umrao…' and definitely he looks the part of the context of Lucknowi culture in which the film is based.

As for J P Dutta's direction his attempt at grandiose lets him down badly. The romantic subtlety in Muzaffar Ali's 'Umrao Jaan' is superseded by overpowering sexual intrigue which tends to be crass at times in Dutta's visual idiom. O P Dutta's dialogues sound archaic for it hurts when the audience laughs at chaste Urdu. I don't find any relevance of 'Umrao Jaan' today. For making a film like this requires immersing yourself completely and not merely touching the tip of fragrance and assuming the perfume will spread all over on its own.

I felt totally sapped at the end of this endless saga and I even stopped sympathizing with the miserable misery of the protagonist. Now, how can I ask you to go through the same suffering! Watch Ash in 'Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam' (if you wish to feast on her beauty and music) instead.

Umrao Jaan: Plastic-Beauty-Isn't-A-Joy-For-Sure!