India, Dec. 14 -- Baaton se kuchh nahi hota hai, sirf ishq se hota hai.

When Rekha speaks, everyone listens - even when she speaks to undermine speech. Honoured at the recently concluded Red Sea International Film Festival, Rekha attended the first overseas screening of Muzaffar Ali's Umrao Jaan, where she played the eponymous protagonist. The restored version of the 1981 film was rereleased in theatres in India in July this year.

What is it about Umrao Jaan that has kept it relevant four decades after its initial release? I found some answers while watching it, yet again, as part of homework before a conversation with Ali. Any Indian cinephile would be able to hum the music, any fashionista worth their salt would be able to recall the ...