Rekha's Umrao Jaan set for European premiere at UK Asian Film Festival
A restored 4K print of Rekha's Umrao Jaan will have its European premiere at the Tongues on Fire UK Asian Film Festival in London. The screening aims to celebrate South Asian stories.
A newly restored print of Muzaffar Ali's Umrao Jaan is set to have its European premiere at the Tongues on Fire UK Asian Film Festival, which opens in London next week.
The 4K restoration of the 1981 period musical drama--featuring Rekha as a Lucknow courtesan and poet--has been undertaken by the National Film Archive of India. The screening at the BFI IMAX will be followed by a talk by Ali.
The film is part of a broader line-up celebrating South Asian stories at the festival, which this year revolves around the theme “Stories That Bind Us.”
“We are proud to present a programme that celebrates bold and outstanding storytelling, sparks important and difficult conversations and showcases extraordinary work from established and emerging filmmakers," said Dr Pushpinder Chowdhry, UKAFF founder and director, in a statement, as quoted by PTI.
Now in its 28th year, the festival will also host the UK premiere of the acclaimed Bengali film Baksho Bondi (Shadowbox), directed by Tanushree Das and Saumyananda Sahi, and starring Tillotama Shome.
Beyond cinema, the 2026 lineup features a live music tribute, Magical Melodies, celebrating O P Nayyar, Dharmendra, and Asha Bhosle.
As part of its British Asian strand, the festival will also host screenings at the Kiln Theatre, showcasing stories rooted in the lived experiences of South Asian communities in the UK, including the British Punjabi drama Never Had A Chance by Jazz Bhalla.
“From intimate family dramas to fearless new voices in South Asian cinema, our selection captures life in all its complexity. These films remind us that storytelling is not just entertainment – it is a way of seeing each other again," said Samir Bhamra, UKAFF Creative Director.
The restoration was done by Prasad.
The festival will conclude on May 10 with the UKAFF Awards, where Muzaffar Ali will be honoured with the Golden Flame Lifetime Achievement Award.
All about Umrao Jaan
Umrao Jaan is a 1981 period musical drama featuring Rekha in the titular role. Adapted from Mirza Hadi Ruswa’s 1899 Urdu novel Umrao Jaan Ada, the film follows the journey of a Lucknow courtesan and poet as she rises to fame.
The film received widespread acclaim and several honours. At the 29th National Film Awards, it won four awards, including Best Actress for Rekha. It also earned three nominations at the Filmfare Awards, winning Best Director for Ali and Best Music Director for Khayyam.