 "Rekha to attend Red Sea International Film Festival for restored classic ‘Umrao Jaan’")
The Red Sea International Film Festival (Red Sea IFF) will be welcoming iconic Indian actress Rekha (Bhanurekha Ganesan) to this year’s edition of the festival. Described by critics as one of India’s finest ever actresses, Rekha will attend the Festival to present her restored 1981 classic Umrao Jaan in its international premiere.
Restored in 4k this year by the National Film Archive of India under the National Film Heritage Mission, Umrao Jaan is a classic of Indian cinema immortalised by its music, poetry and performance.
Showing as part of the festival’s Treasures programme, the film is a beloved heritage work set in 1857 Lucknow and tells the story of a local tawaif and poet, and her rise to fame. It is considered one of India’s greatest cinematic achievements and its director, Muzaffar Ali, will also attend the Red Sea screening.
“ Umrao Jaan is intrinsically woven into the very fabric of my soul,” said Rekha in a statement. “She is not just a character; she serves as a mirror reflecting the depths of my emotions and dreams. In fact, one could say that she mirrors my soul through the echoes of many lifetimes, portraying a narrative that transcends millions of heartbeats. The opportunity for this soulful film to find a new life after 45 years and connect with a fresh audience at the prestigious Red Sea Film Festival is exhilarating and profoundly meaningful. And witnessing an unprecedented moment when a 1981 classic, Umrao Jaan, is featured in the Festival’s Treasures strand alongside a film by the luminary filmmaker Alfred Hitchcock is not only a blessing but humbling to the core.”
Umrao Jaan is an adaptation of Mirza Hadi Ruswa’s 1899 Urdu novel Umrao Jaan Ada, considered a classic of Indian cinema immortalised by the music of Khayyam, the Urdu poetry of Shahryar, Asha Bhosle, and the exquisite beauty and iconic performance by Rekha in the lead role. Ali, a multifaceted artist and connoisseur of poetry, created this period drama, set in 1857 Lucknow, as a souvenir of Awadhi culture, fabricating an entire milieu through resplendent costume design and detailed art direction. Though an independent arthouse film made outside the syntax of mainstream cinema, it achieved a cult status.
“To discover an audience today that still resonates deeply with the narrative and emotional core of this film fills my heart with unparalleled joy, pride and a sense of hope for the future,’ she added. ‘It reassures me that there will always be stories and emotions that do not merely fade with the passage of time, but instead linger in the gentle whispers of the wind and the shifting sands of memory. These timeless tales wait patiently for the right moment to burst forth, capturing the imaginations of new generations and allowing them to be rediscovered and appreciated in all their glory.
“For this remarkable phenomenon, I am eternally grateful, as it highlights the universality of human experience, reminding us that while time may change our circumstances, the essence of our stories—and the emotions they evoke are written on every wave of the sea, every particle of sand, every relic, every stone, every cloud in the sky and every shining star from here to eternity…and that is Umrao Jaan.”
About Red Sea International Film Festival
The Red Sea IFF is a grand celebration of film, bringing the best of world cinema to Jeddah. Over the past four editions, the Festival has premiered critically acclaimed award-winning filmmakers and films, classic cinema, and a spotlight on films from underrepresented voices underscoring the Festival’s commitment to cinematic excellence and bridging cultures.
The Festival has garnered significant recognition, winning many awards for best cultural and film events. It has achieved massive publicity, reaching millions of audiences worldwide, with thousands of press attendees. Regarded as Saudi Arabia’s highest-profile and most anticipated event, the Festival has captured the attention and acclaim of renowned industry figures worldwide and has been attended by tens of thousands of accredited visitors.
As the largest celebration of cinema and culture in the MENA region, the Festival features exciting new films on the big screen, alongside retrospective programs celebrating cinema masters, the latest Saudi films, feature and short film competitions, industry events, and masterclasses (In Conversations).
For ten exhilarating days (December 4-13), the Festival will transform the historic Jeddah Old Town, Al-Balad, into a cinematic wonderland, captivating film enthusiasts, industry professionals, and global audiences alike for its upcoming fifth edition. Al Balad is recognized as a UNESCO site that offers a captivating cultural experience reflecting the rich heritage of Saudi Arabia.