Muzaffar Ali Reflects on Rekha, Poetry & the Rebirth of Umrao Jaan | Cyrus Says

Legendary filmmaker Muzaffar Ali joins Cyrus Says for a deeply nostalgic and insightful conversation around the re-release of his classic film Umrao Jaan – digitally restored 44 years after its original release.

In this episode, Muzaffar Ali opens up about:

• The painstaking process of restoring Umrao Jaan, supported by the Government of India’s heritage mission.

• Why Rekha was “a dream to work with” and how her performance remains iconic and irreplaceable.

• The making of a stunning coffee-table book filled with rare photographs, original sketches, and behind-the-scenes moments from the film.

• His multifaceted journey as a painter, poet, adman, publicist, and director.

• Deep reflections on migration, language, culture, and the lost purity of art in commercial spaces.

Cyrus, meanwhile, attempts poetry, mispronounces Urdu, and even tries to cast himself in the Gaman remake — with hilarious results.

This is a rare meeting of high art and complete nonsense. Come for Umrao Jaan, stay for the madness. 🎭

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