While acting, Shaukat Kaifi may have forgotten her real identity, so wonderful was her depiction of Umrao Jaan's mother Khanum Jaan. Her depiction of pain, suffering and dilemma wrenched many hearts.

There could not have been a better choice than Shabana replacing her mother in the new version. Bollywood has few actresses of her calibre. In an interview to rediff.com, Shabana refuted recent reports of having told J P Dutta 'no one can play my mother's role other than me.'

She insisted Rekha had called her to say she should play the part of Khanam.