Muzaffar Ali on Umrao Jaan Re-release: “It Can’t Be Recreated, Even I Wouldn’t Attempt It”

As Umrao Jaan (1981) readies for a 4K theatrical re-release on June 27, its director Muzaffar Ali believes the classic should remain untouched. Based on Mirza Hadi Ruswa’s novel, the film — known for its poetry, music, and iconic performances — has become a cultural milestone that, in Ali’s words, is impossible to surpass.

“Rekha is not easy to find! You don’t get people with that level of commitment anymore — what she brought to the role, no one else can,” Ali said.

“Everyone in the film felt real. She became a part of that world. It showed in everything — Shahryar’s lyrics, Khayyam’s music, Kumudini Lakhia’s choreography, Asha Bhosle’s voice, the acting, the cinematography, the costumes. Everything was crafted in layers.”

Ali maintains that Umrao Jaan reached a level of artistry that should be preserved, not replicated.

“Films aren’t just made with money. They’re made with commitment and passion. I haven’t felt that same passion again, and even I wouldn’t remake it. Closure is important — you can’t do it better than this. Others have tried and failed. Why should I? I’d rather tell new stories with the same intensity.”

The restored version has been handled by the National Film Archive of India (NFAI) and the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC). Alongside the re-release, Ali will launch a coffee table book that includes rare archival photographs and contributions from stars Rekha and Naseeruddin Shah.

Looking back, Ali recalls how deeply personal the film was.

“We shot it for a year across two seasons in 1980 — in Lucknow, Faizabad, and on a set at Mehboob Studio in Mumbai, where we recreated a kotha with original doors and artefacts. It felt like a real place. The re-release feels like a reassurance that Umrao Jaan is alive. I’m inspired by the renewed interest in it. For me, it was about discovering my inner world — my Lucknow and its past. It was like going back in time.”

Looking ahead, Ali’s long-dormant dream project, Zooni, is finally nearing completion.

“My son, Shaad Ali, has brought closure to it. It has now become a kind of dialogue between father and son — and the past. The film is currently being edited. I also have a few other scripts ready that I’ll begin working on soon.”