Bollywood’s timeless classic, Umrao Jaan (1981), featuring Rekha, returns once again to theatres in a brand new digitally restored 4K version, starting June 27. This beautiful new re-release, part of PVR INOX’s Timeless Classics banner, is a labour of love by the National Film Archive of India (NFAI) and the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC). Umrao Jaan tells the spellbinding story of Amiran, a courtesan-poetess living in 19th-century Lucknow. Rekha’s personal and nuanced portrayal won her the National Film Award for Best Actress, and the film is a landmark for its evocative music by Khayyam, including such classics as 'Dil Cheez Kya Hai' and 'In Aankhon Ki Masti.'

The 1981 musical masterpiece is set for a limited re-release

Coinciding with this re-release, Rekha recently mesmerised onlookers by photorecreating her memorable look from the film in a shoot with Dabboo Ratnani, wearing a fuchsia-pink Manish Malhotra creation that harkened back to her original character.

Bollywood’s timeless tale of love and loss returns to theatres

Whether you’ve been searching for it ever since or you’re experiencing it for the first time, Umrao Jaan’s return brings rich storytelling and musical brilliance back to the big screen. Between the momentous Oscar wins and with its relatively brief theatrical re-release, this is definitely going to be the year to rekindle the film’s legacy that still continues to soar so many years later.