# Umrao Jaan Ada (film)

Umrao Jaan Ada (Urdu: امراؤ جان ادا) is a 1972 Pakistani musical romantic drama film loosely based on the 1899 novel of the same name by Mirza Hadi Ruswa and directed by Hassan Tariq with lyrics and screenplay by Saifuddin Saif. Rani played the title role in the film opposite Shahid while Nayyar Sultana, Zmurrud, Aasia, Rangeela and Allauddin appeared in supporting roles. It revolves around the entire life journey of a tawaif from Lucknow and her tragic romance with a Nawab. The film was a golden jubilee hit at the box office. Lok Virsa Museum screened the film in 2017 as part of special showcase of the feature films in the country.

## Plot

The plot is loosely based on the plot of the novel, with extensive changes, especially in the second half. The Faiz Ali plotline has been completely excised in favor of additional focus being given to the controversy involving young Nawab Sultan's father's refusal to allow his son's marriage to Umrao due to her status. Unlike in the novel, Umrao meets a tragic end.
Umrao Jaan was born as Amiran to an ordinary family in Faizabad, India. After the criminal Dilawar Khan was released from prison, he decided to take revenge because Amiran's father had testified against him in court earlier. Dilawar kidnapped Amiran and sold her in Lucknow to Kotha(brothel)'s courtesan madam Khanam Jaan. Amilan was renamed Umrao and began to learn classical music and dance. As Umrao grew into a tawaif(courtesan), she was surrounded by music, poetry and luxurious surroundings, and she attracted the handsome and wealthy Nawab Salim.Salim was fascinated by Umrao and refused to obey his father's request to marry his cousin Farzana. But in the end, Salim still married Farzana, and after the marriage, he cruelly abandoned Umrao, who vowed never to see him again.
Lucknow was besieged by the British army, forcing Umrao to flee Lucknow for Faizabad. There, she found her mother, but she was threatened by her brother, who considered her as a courtesan a disgrace and felt that it would be better for her to die. Grief-stricken, Umrao returns to Lucknow, where Salim's father, the Nawab, goes to Umrao in anger and frustration, begging her to dance one last time for Salim in his home so that "he will remember you for what you are, a courtesan and not a wife". Although she refuses to see Salim, she agrees for the sake of their children and her wish for Salim to move on with his life. Umrao's young son sits on Salim's father's lap, not recognizing his mother. As the performance draws to a close, the child suddenly cries and reaches out for Umrao, who embraces him, only to be grabbed by a disgusted Salim. After the performance, Umrao runs from the house. Umrao's tragic singing exposes the cruelty, hypocrisy, and secrets of all the respectable people in the room.

## Cast

* Rani as Umrao Jaan
* Nayyar Sultana as Khanam
* Shahid as Nawab Saleem
* Talish
* Zumurrud
* Aasia
* Mumtaz
* Saeed Khan Rangeela
* Lehri
* Ladla
* Imdad Hussain
* Talat Siddiqui (guest)
* Kemal Irani (guest)

## Music

All lyrics are written by Saifuddin Saif; all music is composed by Nisar Bazmi

## Reception
### Box office

The film was a golden jubilee hit at the box office.

### Critical reception

The Statesman praised the several performances (especially Rani), direction and the raw depiction of the Lucknow culture.
A review published by Scroll.in in 2017, the film was compared with the Indian version, and was praised for various reasons; recreating the noble Lucknow's culture, Rani's acting as well as dance performances and Bazmi's music score.