If you want to watch an Indian film that doesn't appear to be in fast forward, watch this one. It is perfectly paced with some outstanding performances by Naseeruddin Shah who plays the title role and Tanvi Azmi who plays his wife, Umrao Begum. We all know how good Naseeruddin Shah is but I have yet to see an Indian actress deliver with so much warmth, poise and emotion as does Ms. Azmi. Unfortunately, not knowing Urdu I missed much of the beauty of the poetry of Mirza Ghalib but yet could appreciate the acting of the two main stars and the supporting cast. Great music too which did not require an understanding of Urdu to appreciate.
I don't know the history of Mirza Ghalib so I wonder if his drinking, gambling and his affair with the courtesan were over done. If true then his wife deserves a special commendation for remaining with him, but I guess those were different times. It was a time when men ruled.
