26th June

SEMINAR – THE ECONOMY OF THE CINEMA INDIA/IRELAND – SCREEN 1 – 11:00am
Book Now

UMRAO JAAN (1981) - Muzzafer Ali 1981 – SCREEN 2 – 1:00pm
Book Now

Umrao Jaan is a typical Indian story of love, heartache and family values. Daroga Dilawar is sentenced to several years in prison in Faizabad after Amiran’s father testifies against him. On release he gets his vengeance by abducting Amiran and selling her to a brothel madam, and it is here that she is re-named Umrao Jaan. She grows up to become an accomplished poetess and dancer who has many patrons, amongst them Nawab Sultan and his father. Although young Nawab is smitten by Umrao he is forced to marry another, leaving her devastated. Umrao find solace in Faiz Ali, with whom she elopes but he is a wanted bandit and is shot and killed by guards. Umrao flees to Lucknow where she establishes herself but is hunted down and told she must marry brother keeper Gohar Mizra. The movie plays out the tragedy as she tries to escape her fate and attempts to find her parents once more.

UMRAO JAAN (2006) - JP Dutta 2006  - SCREEN 2 – 1:00pm
Book Now

This is JP Dutta’s version of the Bollywood classic about the famous courtesan of the title. Featuring stars in the lead roles are Aishwarya Rai, Shabana Azmi, Sunil Shetty and Abhishek Bachchan. This updated version of the 1981 original is action packed and full of typical Bollywood drama.

KAL HO NA HO – Nikhil Advani 2003 - SCREEN 2 – 4:20pm
Book Now

Kal Ho Na Ho is a Bollywood film set in New York City. It features many unique scenes like an extended musical sequence to Roy Orbison’s “Pretty Woman” on the city streets. The film, which stars Jaya Bachchan, Shahrukh Khan, Priety Zinta and Saif Ali Khan, became the second top grossing in India and the top grossing Bollywood film overseas that year. Kal Ho No Ho was directed by first timer Nikhal Advani and produced and co-written by Karan Johar, who already had a string of hits. The movie is also noted for its fantastic soundtrack, which was a huge commercial and critical success. The composer Shankar Ehsaan Loy won the National Film Award for Best Music Direction. Translated as Tomorrow May Not Be the film remains popular.

DOR - Nagesh Kukunoor 2006 - SCREEN 2 - 8:00pm
Book Now

Dor, translated as string, is a 2006 Indian film drama written by TA Razak and directed by Nagesh Kukunoor. The film is a re-make of the award winning 2004 movie Perumazhakkalam and was well received by critics. The story is of two women who come from different backgrounds and how fate brings them together. Meera is a young woman who becomes a widow shortly after marriage and is trapped by tradition. Zeenat faces the daunting task of saving her husbands life as he is on trial for murder. Meera holds the “string” to Zeenat’s hope and their companionship results in redemption for them both. The film stars Ayesha Takia, Shreyas Talpade and Gil Panag.