4 minutes of readingNew DelhiFebruary 2, 2026 08:08 pm IST
In today’s Bollywood, where movies and songs often seem like fleeting content, designed for hits and quick returns, Muzaffar AliThe work of is memory of a cinema that breathed poetry, music and soul. The legendary filmmaker, painter and author, whose Umrao JaanGaman and Anjuman are etched in cinema history and he believes that the deeply immersive songs and films of their era can hardly be recreated today. To the 11th edition of ExpresoAli reflected on why modern Bollywood struggles to capture that blend of narrative, music and cultural harmony and why the Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb remains alive in spirit even as it struggles to find a place on screen today.
Bollywood, hypernationalism and the otherness of communities
During the session, Muzaffar Ali was asked about his recreation of the Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb in his films and the stark contrast with today’s cinema, which often projects hyper-nationalism and communal divisions. He said, “This is the future we all face and there needs to be a collective solution. We cannot do it alone unless each individual digs deep. The fakir, the ascetic, saw beauty in everything, saw love in all things. If the heart recognizes Krishna in everything, it becomes a devotee of Krishna. It is essential to seek beauty, recognize it and bring it before the world, forgetting where it comes from. Think of beauty as an abstract human attribute, name it, give it a name. “Religion. It doesn’t matter. The music itself is a confluence of everything; you can’t erase any element of it because people have put their heart and soul into it.”
He added: “The Ganga-Jamuni culture you are talking about cannot die because it has traditions, people and examples. Wajid Ali Shah was defamed by the British, but no one said that he was a devotee of Krishna. Kathak flourished in his time, Thumri flourished in his time. Such patronage is vital for art: it can come from a Muslim patron or a Hindu ruler. Bollywood must learn this if it seeks global recognition. India has a much bigger place and positioning; getting lost in “Insignificant things will only keep you in business, they will not achieve global recognition.”
Ali stressed the importance of relying on India’s unique artistic heritage: “What can be created in India, born here, cannot happen in Pakistan, Iran, Turkey or anywhere else. If we lose faith in our heritage, in our human resources, what will be left of us? Life must be seen in a broader artistic atmosphere.”
Muzaffar Ali on unforgettable songs from his films
When asked about his iconic films and unforgettable songs, like “Seene Mein Jalan” or “Aapki Yaad Aati Rahi”, Muzaffar Ali revealed the careful and immersive process behind them: “I first dream of the character. I look at their soul, their dynamic trajectory through life, and then I immerse them in a poetic concept. My kind of characters, no one in commercial Bollywood has time to write for them. Fortunately, I had Shahryar, who I would immerse in my house, move from one ghazal to another, work with Khayyam sahab or Jaidev ji. All the beauty comes from deep and immersive experiences of yourself and your team. You immerse yourself and attract others, without them realizing it.
4K restorations of Muzaffar Ali films
Muzaffar Ali also shared his excitement over the 4K restoration of his films: “Fortunately, all my films are being restored. Umrao Jaan, Gaman, Anjuman… all are now finished. It’s a very special feeling.”
When asked if audiences would still connect with Umrao Jaan if it released today, he responded with a metaphor: “Not all horses run in a race; some are worshiped and adorned. What’s the point of forcing everyone to run? Beauty must remain in the heart.”