The Magic of Mujhras

Magic of Mujhras

The Hindi film industry may have long back done away with scripts that revolve around Nawabi lifestyles. But that has little deterred it from espousing the cause of ‘mujhras’. Item songs may be the latest fad but the royal aura attached to ‘mujhras’ continue to make them the hot favourites of filmmakers, be it period films or contemporary films set against small-town backdrops.

Here’s saluting the charm of those few Bollywood ladies who have kept the torch of Lucknowi culture burning in Hindi cinema…

Think mujhra and the idea is synonymous with Rekha. A yesteryear diva, she recreated the magic of Meena Kumari in Pakeezah with those pleading yet prideful eye contacts, low necklines that provided ample opportunity to flaunt her assets but not to the point of evading the mystery around them and those simply marveled to perfection ‘kathak’ postures.

Amongst hits like Salaam-e-Ishq, In Aankhon Ki Masti Ke and Yeh Kya Jageh Hai Doston, the one ‘mujhra’ that saw the actress at her sensuous best was ‘Dil Cheez Kya Hai’. Clad in red from head to toe and wearing a lipstick that made her lips come across as petals of a dark red rose, Rekha made ‘Umrao Jaan’ a metaphor for courtesans and mehfil-dancers.

A trained ‘kathak’ dancer, Madhuri Dixit wore her ghungroos once again to deliver what can be called one of her most mesmerizing performances ever. The force and charisma with which Madhuri took on the task of playing a love-struck courtesan with ‘Maar Daala’ in Devdas resulted in a splendid show of dance and drama. Though her character was called Chandramukhi – one with a moon-like face, Madhuri’s facial expressions were nothing short of lightning.

The flawlessness with which she arched her eyebrows and made unspoken gestures to match the mujhra’s constantly changing pitch redefined Madhuri’s calibre to deliver the best combination of naach and nakhras.

A flawless honey and peach complexion, almond coloured eyes that are nothing short of a window to her soul, a husky voice that cuts deep and well-defined curves at the right places made Rani ‘Heera’ – prostitute and love interest to Aamir in Mangal Pandey: The Rising.

The open-heartedness with which she proclaims her fondness for Aamir with the song ‘Vari Vari’ was a contrast to Bollywood’s stereotyped ‘tawaaifs’ who rarely let go of their pride and never call it wraps before laying down their conditions. Adding that tinge of girlish annoyance for want of more attention from her firs love, Rani served her fans a refreshing tangy cocktail.

One of Bollywood’s biggest brands that spell ‘divinity’ and ‘elegance’, Aishwarya Rai was the only reason why the remake of Umrao Jaan was noticed, even though as a flop. Nonetheless, its music went on to enthrall the audiences, especially when Ash claimed ‘Idhar Jo Dekho Salaam Kar Le’.

Clad in a cream and golden chudidar, Aishwarya wowed us with the manner in which she lent her sophisticated charm to Amiran’s character and rendered a stunning performance. The sharpness with which those ocean eyes and full of finace hands got in-sync to deliver a ‘salaam’ rendered everyone speechless.

The fact that she is Bollywood’s representative for women’s liberation did not in any way affect her performance as a ‘mujhrewali’ in Kisna. Sushmita Sen’s special appearance as Naima Begum in the film may have not been Bollywood’s most celebrated acts; nonetheless it added that spice factor to the otherwise flop film.

‘Diljalon Ka Hum Khayal Rakhenge’ saw Sush lending that healing touch to the intense love story with her bold moves, striking features and a stern yet loving attitude.

And for those of you who thought 40+ actresses stuck to playing mistresses to mujhrewalis, Hema Malani’s dance in the less-talked-about-the-better Laaga Chunari Mein Daag was quite some feat.

The epitome of grace, Hema Malini effortless donned the ghungroos of a mujhrewali to surprise us pleasantly with her practiced to perfection adaayein that are typical of the community. Those ultimate intense eyes and years of maturity as a classical dancer made ‘Ehi Thaiyaa Mothi’ a visual treat that will be cherished in the years to come.