A series adaptation of Mirza Hadi Ruswa’s Urdu classic ‘Umrao Jan Ada’ is in the works. As per reports in the media, Pakistani actress Sajal Aly has been tapped to play the titular lead role in the series. Though there’s no concrete information on the streaming home of the upcoming series on ‘Umrao Jan Ada’, it is reportedly headed to a top streaming platform upon completion.
Umrao Jaan is a character that has been immortalised on screen in both India and Pakistan. Bollywood diva Rekha’s turn as the bewitchingly beautiful courtesan in Muzaffar Ali’s 1981 film ‘Umrao Jaan’ is a distinctive memory in every film-lover’s mind. The beauteous Aishwarya Rai recreated the role in her 2006 film of the same name. In cultural history, Umrao Jaan is a name synonymous with the courtesan tradition of eighteenth and nineteenth century India.
According to cultural lore and Mirza Hadi Ruswa’s ‘Umrao Jan Ada’, the lady in question practiced her trade in 19th century Lucknow. The 1899 Urdu novel is reportedly written by Mirza Hadi Ruswa as per the story recounted by Umrao Jaan herself to the author, when he happened to meet her during a mushaira (poetry gathering) in Lucknow. The novel ‘Umrao Jan Ada’ portrays the lavish decadence of Lucknow society in those days, as well as the intricacies of the courtesan culture, a culture lost in the pages of the past.
Sajal Aly is an apt choice to play the lead role in the series adaptation of ‘Umrao Jan Ada’. The actress has the rare combination of beauty and innocence in her looks, coupled with talented acting skills. She has recently played one of the leads in Shekhar Kapoor-directed ‘What’s Love Got To Do With It?’. Sajal Aly also played the lead in the ZEE5 show, Dhoop Ki Deewar.
The series adaptation of ‘Umrao Jan Ada’ is being produced by Hamid Hussain and Muhammad Yaqoob of UAE-based company, Action Consultancy.