Umrao Jaan Ada vs. Memoirs of A Geisha

Hey, guys
This might seem like an odd topic, but has anyone else noticed a strange resemblance between Mirza Mohammad Haadi Ruswa's "Umrao Jaan Ada", written in 1905, and Memoirs of a Geisha, published in 1997??

I'm not saying it's a copy or anything..i'm sure it's nothing more than a coincidence, (if that) but I was wondering if anyone else noticed, or if I'm just imagining things?😳

I actually made a list! Because I was thinking, and they really are SO similar..!

Similarities:

• In both, the protagonist is a female courtesan (Tawaa'if and Geisha)

• Both main characters are sold off at a young age, against their will to a "Kotha"-type place

• Both have friends who are better looking than them and so are sold to other places, while they are left behind and taken in by and older woman at the Kotha-type place
• Both fall in love with wealthy, influential men that they cannot have
• Both are separated from their own Kotha's during large events which destroy their Kotha's and cities (Sepoy Mutiny in India and the Nuclear Blasts in Japan)
• Both are forced to open up their own businesses in a different city after the event
• and many more i can't think of now..😳
  

yeh it's true

and it isnt coincidence OR a copy

it's just that stories like that happen everywhere... :D

but good observation!!
i swear though, the movie ruined the book...Memoirs of a Geisha...like it was alryt...but def. not wat i was expectin 😆

lol..yea it isn't a copy, im suure but i just noticed they're SO similar!!

yea..i agree that the movie kinda messed up that book..cuz i saw tha movie first.. 😕 i liked tha movie too, tho.. 😉

oh yeahhh...i never noticed that before! 😕

Originally posted by: abhijit shukla

Its good to notice Desi works as inspiration for others for a change.
If we talk of just the movies...(i might have mentioned this before) Nicholas Cage's 'Leaving Las Vegas' was pretty much "Devdaas" sans Paro; Steve Martin's 'Leap of Faith' was largely "Guide".

yes, i agree...who says Indians are the only ones who take "inspiration" from other ppl's movies? 😆

well, usually protagonist starts very young and are usually sold from somewhere all over the world and taken in by some older patrons.