Aishwarya Rai

Former Miss Universe-turned Bollywood actress Aishwarya Rai says her forthcoming film Umrao Jaan would be the high point of her career.

Umrao Jaan that opens next month tries to relive the magic of the 1981 musical of the same name about a beautiful Mughal-era courtesan who searches in vain for true love.

“As an actor it was a delight, a dream, an absolute honor and privilege to have the opportunity to actually get a chance in your career to essay such a fantastic character. It was an absolute privilege and right from that part until this moment I can just say that it’s been an incredible journey, a wonderful process of learning and I thoroughly enjoyed essaying the role of Umrao Jaan,” said Rai, talking to the press here yesterday.

Bollywood is remaking a slew of classic Hindi movies, egged on by what it says is a creative challenge of packaging old blockbusters to appeal to modern-day audiences.

The world’s biggest film industry by volumes and ticket sales is known to be quick to remake hits.

But now, Bollywood filmmakers say the main motive in remaking classics is driven by an artistic urge rather than a dearth of ideas.

Bollywood has lined up a bevy of remakes of cult classics this season, which include Sholay, Don, Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam, and Umrao Jaan (ANI)