Filmmaker Muzaffar Ali expresses his concern that Bollywood has strayed from its roots in poetry and cultural unity, pointing to the enduring charm of ‘Umrao Jaan’. He warns that art loses its essence when it rushes for quick results, stressing that true beauty comes from sincere expression, not fuss.
Muzaffar Ali says the Bollywood he knew, shaped by poetry, layered music and shared culture, is slipping out of reach. Speaking at the 11th edition of Expresso, the director looked back on why ‘Umrao Jaan’ still holds its own a decade later, despite many new Hindi films vying for instant impact.
For Ali, art loses its power when it is forced to act on command. He insists that beauty can’t be created for competition, and that it works best when it’s based on feeling rather than madness.
Why Bollywood is struggling with poetry and cultural harmony
Speaking to The Indian Express, Ali discussed the fading presence of the Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb in mainstream cinema and the rise of hyper-nationalist narratives. He said the answer is not just about individual effort. “This is the future that everyone is facing, and a joint solution is needed.
We can’t do it alone unless every person digs deep into it,” he said.Ali described beauty as something that transcends labels. “It is important to look for beauty, recognize it and present it to the world, forgetting where it comes from. Think of beauty as an abstract human attribute, name it, assign a religion to it. It does not matter.” He added that the music itself reflects this mixture. “Music itself is a fusion of everything, you can’t cut any element out of it because people put their heart and soul into it.
»Speaking about historical patronage, he said that the cultural fabric survives through people and traditions. “The Ganga-Jamuni culture you speak of cannot die because it has traditions, people and examples.” He described the reign of Wajid Ali Shah as the period when Kathak and Thumri flourished irrespective of religious affiliation. “This kind of patronage is vital to the art,” he said, adding that Bollywood must learn this lesson if it wants to gain global recognition.
Muzaffar Ali on music, memory and enduring cinema
Ali also talked about songs from his films including ‘Seene Mein Jalan’ and ‘Aapki Yaad Aati Rahi’. He described a fascinating creative process. “First I dream about the hero. I look at his soul, at his dynamic life trajectory, and then immerse them in a poetic concept.” He credited colleagues like Shahriar and composers Khayyam and Jaidev for this depth. “All beauty comes from the deep, immersive experience of you and your team.
»He contrasted this approach with today’s quick exit. “These days, songs come one after the other, each waiting to be knocked out by the next. But ‘Umrao Jaan’ songs cannot be erased.”Ali confirmed that ‘Umrao Jaan’, ‘Gaman’ and ‘Anjuman’ have been restored in 4K. When asked if ‘Umrao Jaan’ would resonate with audiences today, he responded with a quiet metaphor. “Not all horses participate in races; some are worshiped, decorated. What’s the point of forcing everyone to run? Beauty should remain in the heart.”
