Ameeran lives a poor-lifestyle with her mom, dad, and brother, Jamal, in Faizabad, British India. When her dad testifies against the local corrupt cop, Dilawar Khan, Khan swears to avenge this humiliation, and several years later, abducts Ameeran, holds her for ransom. When no money is forthcoming, he sells her. Ameeran ends up in a brothel run by Lucknow's Madame Khanum Jaan, where she is taught dance and poetry, and is subsequently re-named Umrao Jaan. Years later, Umrao has matured, is a well-known Courtesan with many patrons, chief amongst them are Nawab Sujat Ali Khan and his son, Sultan. Umrao and Sultan fall in love with each other, much to the chagrin of Sujat, who instructs Sultan either to give up Umrao or to lose his inheritance, and Sultan chooses Umrao. He gives up his father's palatial house and goes to live in the brothel, but re-locates to live with his uncle in Gadi after being taunted by Khanum Jaan. Umrao has a new admirer, Nawab Faiz Ali, who proposes to take her ...
Miscellaneous The movie is set in the period of the late 19th century but the hand pump shown is of India Mark II which came into existence much later.
Trivia:
The film is based on the Urdu novel Umrao Jaan Ada.
Aishwarya Rai had trouble with some of the dances because of her heavy costumes.
Priyanka Chopra was offered the lead role, but turned it down to work in Bluffmaster! (2005). Aishwarya Rai was actually a part of Bluffmaster!, but was replaced with Priyanka Chopra.
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