First of all one shouldn't compare the new Umrao Jaan to the old version. JP Dutta's Umrao Jaan is clearly based on the novel. Many critics have rated this movie as poor, which according to me is unfair. Almost all of them have surely compared the Ash starrer with the Rekha starrer. If a film as brilliant as Swades could be rated as poor by critics, I don't find it justified rating Umrao Jaan as poor. Its an Aishwariya Rai movie all the way. She's done a brilliant job in ever way, be it dancing/acting/looks. She emotes and expresses extremely well and looks stunning as usual. JP Dutta's version is well made but the only problem is with its length. Also choreography by Vaivabhi Merchant is not upto the mark. Saroj Khan would have been a much better choice for the choreography.
Umrao Jaan of 2006 is definitely a movie that will make Indian Cinema proud. I would give it a 4 stars out of 5. And for the music, 3.5 stars out of 5.
