Muzaffar Ali's 1981 classic Umrao Jaan has been restored by the National Film Development Corporation and National Film Archive of India under the aegis of National Film Heritage Mission. The film won Rekha her first national award for playing the lead role of Amiran/Umrao Jaan. The film also won the national awards for music, female playback singer and art direction.

Ali spoke exclusively to Cinema Express on adapting Mirza Hadi Ruswa's 1899 novel, Umrao Jaan Ada, recreating culturally rich Awadh on screen, Rekha in the lead role, her alchemy with the co-stars and also the restoration of the film.