Kamal Ghorui
Muzaffar Ali says the Bollywood he knew, shaped by poetry, layered music, and shared culture, is slipping out of reach. Speaking at the 11th edition of Expresso, the filmmaker looked back at why ‘Umrao Jaan’ still holds its place decades later, even as many new Hindi films race for quick impact. For Ali, art loses power when it is pushed to perform on command. He insists beauty cannot be manufactured for competition and works best when it stays rooted in feeling, not frenzy.
Why Bollywood struggles with poetry and cultural harmony
In a conversation with The Indian Express, Ali discussed the fading presence of Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb in mainstream cinema and the rise of hyper-nationalist narratives. He said the answer does not lie in individual effort alone. “This is the future everyone is facing, and there needs to be a collective solution. We cannot do it alone unless every individual delves into its depth,” he said.Ali described beauty as something that transcends labels. “It is essential to seek beauty, recognise it, and bring it before the world, forgetting where it comes from. Think of beauty as an abstract human attribute, name it, assign it a religion. It doesn’t matter.” He added that music itself reflects this blend. “Music itself is a confluence of everything; you cannot erase any element from it because people have poured their heart and soul into it.”Referring to historical patronage, he said the cultural fabric survives through people and traditions. “The Ganga-Jamuni culture you are talking about cannot die because it has traditions, people, and examples.” He cited Wajid Ali Shah’s reign as a period when kathak and thumri flourished, regardless of religious identity. “Such patronage is vital for art,” he said, adding that Bollywood must learn this lesson if it wants global recognition.
Muzaffar Ali on music, memory, and lasting cinema
Ali also spoke about the songs from his films, including ‘Seene Mein Jalan’ and ‘Aapki Yaad Aati Rahi’. He described an immersive creative process. “I dream of the character first. I look at their soul, their dynamic trajectory through life, and then immerse them into a poetic concept.” He credited collaborators like Shahryar and composers Khayyam and Jaidev for that depth. “All beauty comes from deep, immersive experiences of yourself and your team.”He contrasted that approach with today’s rapid output. “Today, songs come one after the other, each waiting to be knocked out by the next. But the songs of ‘Umrao Jaan’, no one can erase them.”Ali confirmed that ‘Umrao Jaan’, ‘Gaman’, and ‘Anjuman’ have all been restored in 4K. Asked if ‘Umrao Jaan’ would connect with audiences today, he replied with a quiet metaphor. “Not all horses run in a race; some are worshipped, adorned. What is the use of forcing everyone to run? Beauty must remain in the heart.”
