J P Dutta's Umrao Jaan (2006)

[kaytee]

I just love those eyes...

[sacred_promises]

I just love those eyes...

yep.. Very Lovely Eyes.

[shariqq]

...a VERY interesting observation commented in passing by me mum - for a movie set in Lucknow, why the hell does the hero wear Pagdis? Luchnawis only wear topis, and quite delicately worked ones. This is J P Dutta polluting the movie-theme with his tradition very similiar to the way Bhansali's Bengali-themed Devdas had a Rajasthani-themed "Dhola Dhola" number.

[shariqq]

...oh and another point, the only reason Umrao Jaan (the character) became a "Tawaif" was because she was dark-skinned and no one adopted her, as compared to her childhood friend at the orphanage, who was adopted into royalty for her fair-skin. Go figure that for Aishwarya's "Tawaif" vs Divya Dutta's "Malkin".

[kaytee]

Maybe the movie is not set in Lucknow.

[sandeep]

Yup we need to wait and watch... JP Dutta wouldnt have done anything without his research...

[sandeep]

I just love those eyes...

yep.. Very Lovely Eyes.

True. And they are getting more character, as she matures as an artist...

[shariqq]

Maybe the movie is not set in Lucknow.

The movie's tagline reads: "19th Century Lucknow - The Age of Passion"

[sacred_promises]

...oh and another point, the only reason Umrao Jaan (the character) became a "Tawaif" was because she was dark-skinned and no one adopted her, as compared to her childhood friend at the orphanage, who was adopted into royalty for her fair-skin. Go figure that for Aishwarya's "Tawaif" vs Divya Dutta's "Malkin".

LOL... now This is interesting.. hmm, Aishwarya the 'fair' tawaif..

[kaytee]

Anyone seen this yet? Whats the review like?

[sandeep]

Here you go Kaytee...

Umrao Jaan - My Review

Another one of those movies where I stood undecided on how I should rate it. I saw it last nite, and was prepared for a long movie (20 reels, 3 hrs 15 mins)... I was warned that its slow, and stretched in places... Here goes:

Strengths
- Aishwariya's performance. Her emotions, dance, and expressions have finally been presented well. She has grown and matured as an actress
- Abhishek's performance. Strong, restrained, a complete Nawab, he has done this justice to this role
- Shabana Azmi's performance. She has captured the humanity of a brothel owner
- Costumes, choregraphy and jewelry are appropriate
- Most of the supporting cast is effective and enacts their character well
- The story is told with grace, without any unnecessary melodrama
- 2nd half is more engaging

Weaknesses
- Songs, which should be the focus in such a movie, do not leave a mark. Neither do the dialogues. They wont be etched in your memory. The Urdu isnt right in places
- Some of the supporting cast are not effective and result in weakining the scenes
- 1st half is dragged, with 4 songs, 2 of them could be omitted
- Aishwariya has done her best, but hasnt connected with the character well enough for the audience to feel her pain
- The overall length of the movie is too long, a lot of people were leaving half way or even before

One needs to approach this movie with patience. JP Dutta has shown the journey of the woman (Ameeran), not the courtesan (Umrao). Its an unfortunate tale, which was told well in the original, but this version has its flaws. The script could have been better, the screenplay more tight, and above all the music didnt connect.

I appreciate JP Dutta's efforts to try a totally different genre, though it has been a decent attempt, but I doubt this movie will do well. Aishwariya has done a brilliant job though, and couldnt have done any better. Its slow viewing for the tolerant heart!

2/5