Director Muzaffar Ali on Umrao Jaan's latest literary addition: ‘The book is a tribute to the film’

It was cinema not just as spectacle, but as alchemy, says Muzaffar Ali, of Umrao Jaan

Why the remastering of the film? What went into it - were there any changes?
The life of a celluloid product is limited because of storage limitations, the negatives get stuck, the quality starts degrading. But otherwise we have made no changes. It is as good as it was. We have a master, and we just went on that. There was no need for any additions or deletions, no foreword or afterword. Only the book accompanies it. The book is a tribute to the film, and a record. It is an important element, in order to understand the ethos of the film, its impact on people.

Will this book and the remastered film strike a chord with the younger generation? Are you in touch with what they are thinking and saying?
I am in touch with only young people! Yes, definitely I think it will resonate with this generation. It should be available in libraries, schools, and institutions. It's like a reference book, it should be available to all. I am banking on the goodwill of people to carry it forward. Once it is released, the public protects it, you see. Its image, its copyright, is protected by people. It is now in the domain of their soul.

I've just done my job. Now I have to think of the next thing.

The book was released last week along with the launch of the remastered film

What is next?
Well, we - film artistes - need to rethink our communication strategy. We need growth of peace and compassion among us. It is very important to feel. You can't just make money on films. You can make a road and a highway but you can't make something that connects to the hearts.

We need something greater than this; something intangible. Art can do a lot. If you are sensitive to beauty you can do a lot. Peace and compassion can come only from art, from poetry. We need to celebrate poetry. I am working on something in this direction, working on Rumi. Only Rumi can save you.

When you drown yourself in an idea, you drown your ego, your self, your soul. Mumbai can't get that; it is a very impatient city.

Available: For pre-order at mapinpub.com