Product Details

• Number of discs: 1
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B000LOB5X6
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #156,532 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A mesmerising period piece!, January 15, 2008

By 

Z Hayes (TX, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 50 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Umrao Jaan (DVD)

Having been a fan of the 1981 classic starring Rekha in the title role, I wasn't sure what to expect, but was more than staisfied by the amazing performances in this movie. The story centers around an aging courtesan Umrao Jaan Ada who tells her life story to another poet through a series of flashbacks.

The title character is played to convincing effect by Aishwarya Rai. It is not just her luminous beauty that shines through here - every facial expression, the lift of an eyebrow, her smile, her tears, are all beievable in conveying her character's emotions. The dance sequences were also very good - I never thought of Aishwarya as a great dancer until this movie, the movements are so natural, and authentic. Rekha, in the original was an amazing dancer too, and both in their own unique ways bring the character of Umrao Jaan to glorious life on screen.

Umrao Jaan's love interest, Nawab Sultan is played convincingly by Abshishek Bachchan, and their on-screen chemistry practically sizzles [they are now a real-life married couple]. Each love scene is beautifully and subtly done, and comes across as tender with an underlying passion that is hard to miss.

There are also secondary characters in this movie that deserve mention - namely, the brothel owner, Khanum Sahib, played by veteran actress Shabana Azmi. Her character's greed for wealth is also touched by some shred of humanity, and very well done. Sunil Shetty plays the dacoit who lusts after Umrao, and his character comes across as savage and ruthless whilst also tender when faced by Umrao's dazzling beauty and finesse.

The songs are all beautiful, and the costumes and sets simply sumptuous. This is definitely one of the best Bollywood musicals to come along, enhanced by a compelling plot and credible acting. Highly recommended period piece!

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars See if for Aishwarya, January 15, 2007

By 

ML (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Umrao Jaan (DVD)

This film is quite possibly Aishwarya Rai's greatest performance. She easily holds this film together in the title role and lends an enormous dignity to the character of Umrao Jaan. She wonderfully translates the feeling of a woman who just can't fight her fate. Beautiful piece of cinema.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply beautiful, August 27, 2007

By 

Bay Area Guy - See all my reviews

This review is from: Umrao Jaan (DVD)

I agree that this is perhaps Aishwayra Rai's finest work (and I've seen most of them). Umrao Jaan's story is fascinating, uplifting, and heartbreaking all at the same time. The photoggraphy, costumes, and music are spectacular. The way the two stars express their character's love for each other, using nothing but their eyes, is sheer brilliance.