Umrao Jaan was a singer, poet and a revolutionist during the 19th century,” says the Bollywood actress Neetu Chandra.
Chandra was here in the city on Tuesday to perform in her theatre debut Umrao. Notably, Neetu played the female protagonist Umrao Jaan in the Urdu play that was staged on the second day of the Adi Vidrohi Drama Festival 2013.
While talking to The Pioneer, the Bollywood actress Neetu Chandra says, “I was much excited when I was offered the character of Umrao Jaan in the theatre play and I did not leave the opportunity and just said yes to it. I thought this was the best way to get a good exposure in theatre industry and also to get a different experience other than films.”
This is the first stage performance by Neetu Chandra in Umrao. Earlier she has performed the same play at Prithvi Theatres, Mumbai.
As the making of Bollywood movies are catching up the pace in Bhopal, the theatre and film personalities are also heading towards the streets of the city. So as Neetu was here for her theatre debut.
While talking more about her character, she says, “Umrao Jaan was a singer, poet and revolutionist. Though my role is different from what Rekhaji and Aishwarya had played in their respective films.”
Elaborating more, she says, “As films and theatre productions are different mediums. Moreover the production process is also different, though the basic premise remains same such as the plot and the story.”
She further said, “This play is prepared with a vision of women empowerment.” Neetu has also brushed up her Kathak skills and Urdu diction to get into the character.
Hearing the name of Umrao, the first picture that click in mind is of Rekha with her glorious beauty. The shayaris, mushaira, the nazakat and the emotions portrayed by her in the 1981 movie Umrao Jaan is appreciated till now. Then the second effort was made by Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in JP Dutta’s Umarao Jaan in year 2006. Now the young Bollywood actress Neetu Chandra has played the character of the immortalised courtesan Umrao in theatre drama.
Notably, Neetu has appeared in a number of Hindi and Tamil movies and with every film, she leaves an unforgettable impression of her immense acting skills. She is much admired for her performance in Garam Masala with Akshay Kumar and John Abraham. So as she grabbed applauses for her character Umrao. Justifying perfectly the demands of the character, the actress has performed extremely well in the play. “I have visited the city earlier as well and its beauty always adored by me,” Neetu further added.