Muzaffar Ali’s 1981 cinematic gem Umrao Jaan — featuring Rekha in her unforgettable National Film Award-winning role — is set to make its international festival debut at the Red Sea International Film Festival in Saudi Arabia. The film will be showcased in the festival’s prestigious Treasures strand, marking the first-ever international screening of its newly restored version.
The 4K restoration of Umrao Jaan has been completed by the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) and the National Film Archive of India (NFAI) under the National Film Heritage Mission, an initiative dedicated to preserving India’s classic cinema. Following its re-release across select Indian theatres earlier this year, the restored film now heads to Jeddah for a global showcase, reaffirming its enduring artistic legacy.
The Red Sea International Film Festival, scheduled to run from December 4 to 13, 2025, celebrates world cinema across generations. Its Treasures section focuses on restored masterpieces that have defined film history, with Umrao Jaan featured alongside global classics such as Alfred Hitchcock’s Spellbound, Luc Besson’s The Big Blue, and tributes to silent-era icons like Chaplin, Keaton, and Laurel & Hardy.
Set in 19th-century Lucknow, Umrao Jaan traces the life of a courtesan-poetess who navigates love, loss, and art against the backdrop of a decaying feudal society. Rekha’s performance, supported by Farooque Shaikh, Naseeruddin Shah, and Raj Babbar, brought poetic intensity to the screen, while Khayyam’s music, Shahryar’s lyrics, and Asha Bhosle’s haunting vocals elevated the film to classic status.
The film’s screening at the Red Sea festival not only honors Muzaffar Ali’s evocative storytelling but also reflects a growing global appreciation for Indian film restoration. As audiences in Saudi Arabia experience Umrao Jaan in its restored 4K glory, the courtesan’s timeless tale of beauty and melancholy finds new resonance beyond Indian shores — a tribute to the golden age of Indian cinema and the art of preserving its legacy.
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