Not Rekha, this actress was the first choice for 'Umrao Jaan', director planned for..., she is...
He said, 'Initially, I thought of Smita Patil. She had worked with me in 'Gaman' and she would have done a good job.' The director recalled, 'But then we felt maybe we need someone who is a little more feminine.' Eventually, Rekha was finalised. Ali shared, 'When I read the character and lived it, listened to the film recorded in Salma Siddiqui's voice again and again, it was Rekha. Her eyes had the power to tell the story where you fall and rise in the same moment. What Rekha did, I don't think anyone else could have done it.' How Rekha's presence uplifts Umrao Jaan
He further added that the casting was important… and I think Rekha's presence helped. But I believe more than her, people showed a lot of empathy with the character. That helped. 'Umrao Jaan' also stars Naseeruddin Shah and the late Farooq Sheikh.
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