Javed Siddiqui hints at a sequel to Umrao Jaan

Rekha-starrer 1981 film Umrao Jaan is considered as one of the classic films in Bollywood. Now, the makers of this movie are considering on making a sequel to it. Javed Siddiqui, one of the writers of the film, says that he has two story ideas for the sequel, but it is producer-director Muzaffar Ali, who would take a final call.

Talking to PTI, writer Javed Siddiqui said, "We have two story ideas that we are working on. One apparently has nothing to do with Umrao Jaan but the film is set in the same period...it is about aftermath of first freedom struggle. The other idea is to have a sequel to Umrao Jaan.”

The writer added, "As in the end we have shown that she (Rekha) comes to her kotha and we haven't shown what is going to happen to her in the English regime, how she behaves and what happens to her. So we have a story in which we have Umrao Jaan as an older and more mature person. So this can be shown. But we don't know if this would happen or not."

Javed Siddiqui further said that he is working on both the ideas, but director would decided whether it will be a sequel or a new film. He said, "We have started working on both the scripts. Both the options (scripts) are good. I think the decision should happen in few days as to whether we would go with the new story line or a sequel."

However, director Muzaffar Ali's Umrao Jaan was based on the Urdu novel Umrao Jaan Ada (1905), written by Mirza Hadi Ruswa. The film revolved around the life of a famous Lucknow courtesan. Rekha's performance as the central character in the film had won her first National Award.