Mughal-E-Azam: Director K Asif created history

The Hindi cinema is celebrating the 50 glorious years of ‘MUGHAL-E-AZAM’, a magical, masterful classic whose grandeur remains unmatched even today. Set in 16th century Mughal era, the film told the love story of Emperor Akbar’s son Salim and a courtesan Anarkali. The film is considered a benchmark for its screenplay, dialogue, acting and scale.

Apne bête ke Dhadakte dil ke liye hum Hindustan ki takdeer nahi badal sakte…”These words seem to be scripted in the epic of Indian Cinema with golden letters.. as is the movie Mughal-E-Azam. With no loss in its impact it still outshines the clatter of films that occupy the theatres even today. Such is the lavishness and grandeur of this film! With its lavish production, Director K. Asif's magnum opus took nine years and Rupees 15 million to finish. The benchmark film depicts a story of an era that was grand and royal. Like the era, the film too was a paradigm of extravagance and enormity.

The film got released on 5th August 1960 and was premiered simultaneously in 150 theatres all over the country. The film broke box office records in India when released and held the record for the highest grossing film ever until the 1975 film Sholay broke its record. Mughal-e-Azam crowned the career of one of India's most beautiful women.

This eternal tale of romance between Salim played by Dilip Kumar and Anarkali played by Madhubala has incredible songs and dance ensembles ever filmed. The sumptuous splendour of the Mughal Court, the breathtaking battle sequence, superlative photography and phenomenal acting from not just its lead actors but also the peripheral cast made it a work of art. Director K Asif left no stone unturned to make Mughale-e-Azam ‘The “Mughal-e-Azam” in Indian Cinema History.

Sweety Kothari,  AIR, Mumbai