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It is commonly said that "if Lucknow was the heart of Avadh, Umrao was the heartbeat!" Set in 19th century Lucknow, 'Umrao Jaan' follows the journey of an eight year old girl named Amiran. Hailing from a lower class family, she was a daughter of a 'jamadar, or sweeper, who was employed at 'Bahu Begum ka Makhbara' in Faizabad (now located in the modern-day Indian state of (Uttar Pradesh). Amiran's father was a simple man with humble desires and a supporter of truth. Unfortunately, his righteous conduct landed him in trouble after he spoke out against Dilawar Khan, a criminal. Running afoul of Dilawar Khan proved to be a mistake with lifechanging consequences for him and his daughter Amiran.
Upon his release from prison, Dilawar Khan kidnapped young Amiran in retaliation and sold her to Khannum Sahib (Shabana Azmi), owner of a 'kotha' in Lucknow. Though 'kothas' have their own meaning when it comes to films, the kothas of 19th century Lucknow were hubs of cultural refinement. Kothas were similar to conservatories for education, literature, poetry, fashion, classical music, dance… Everything that could transform an individual into a master of the arts.
Living in the kotha, Amiran joined the ranks of Lucknow's literati and was renamed Umrao (Aishwarya Rai) by the Khannum. She learnt everything in the confines of the kotha – stylish living from Bua Hussaini, academics from Maulvi Sahib, music and dance from Kathak Acharya and many more arts, including poetry, from Bismillah, Khurshid and Gauhar. 'Ada' was her artistic pseudonym due to her proficiency in writing and presenting poetry.
Soon Umrao Jaan Ada was a name of consequence and the entire Lucknowi community was dazzled by her beauty, charms and skills. Every man wanted to watch her sing and dance, but Khannum's kotha was only for the elite. Though the exclusive clientele of the kotha was moneyed and powerful, Umrao herself desired the attention of a single man - Nawab Sultan (Abhishek Bachchan). The nawab commanded vast riches and power, and equally returned Umrao's affection. Even as love was born between the courtesan and the Nawab, Umrao unintentionally bewitched Faiz Ali (Sunil Shetty), a hardened outlaw. Faiz' love for Umrao was true, belying the world's scorn for him as a disreputable and lawless man. In his desire to have Umrao as his own, he threatens the future of the Umrao and the Nawab, the only man she's ever loved.
Will Umrao Jaan indeed get true love? Will she be able to live a life with her Nawab forever? Will Faiz give Umrao up to the Nawab? Will Umrao's dream of her own house and family be fulfilled
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