Anarkali (1953 film)
Encyclopedia
Anarkali is a 1953 film based on the historical legend of the Mughal
emperor Jahangir
. As per the legend Jahangir revolted against his father Akbar over his love for a common girl called Anarkali
.
It was the top grossing Hindi film
in the year of its release, and one of the biggest Hindi film hits in its decade.
Another film on the same theme was Mughal-e-Azam
, made in 1960, which was again a major commercial and critical hit.
. He is known to have ruled over Hindustan
with a humane and just heart. He knew in order to garner the support of the Hindus, he must treat them sensitively, allow them to worship freely, and in order to maintain this peace, he married Jodabai, a Hindu Rajput, the sister of Raja Man Singh. Through this marriage they became the proud parents of Shehzada Salim. Akbar first met Nadira in the Anar garden, while she was awaiting the arrival of her lover. So pleased he was with her that he wanted to reward her, but she only asked for an Anar, so he ended up bestowing her with the name of 'Anarkali'. He met her the second time when she was able to revive Salim, who was seriously wounded in a war in Kabul. Once again Akbar was pleased with her, wanted to reward her, but again she turned him down. The third time she ended up annoying Akbar when she sang and danced in his court under the influence of alcohol, and he has her imprisoned. The very foundations of Akbar's palace will be shaken to the roots, and his manner of meting out justice will be put to the extreme test, when he finds out that Salim is in love with Anarkali and wants to marry her. While Akbar may have been successful to end the strife between Hindus and Muslims, but will be able to break down the wall between the rich and the poor?
Mughal Empire
The Mughal Empire , or Mogul Empire in traditional English usage, was an imperial power from the Indian Subcontinent. The Mughal emperors were descendants of the Timurids...
emperor Jahangir
Jahangir
Jahangir was the ruler of the Mughal Empire from 1605 until his death. The name Jahangir is from Persian جهانگیر,meaning "Conqueror of the World"...
. As per the legend Jahangir revolted against his father Akbar over his love for a common girl called Anarkali
Anarkali
Anarkali ; Anārkalī ) was a legendary slave girl from Lahore, Punjab . During the Mughal period, she was supposedly ordered to be buried alive between two walls by Mughal emperor Akbar for having an illicit relationship with the Prince Nuruddin Saleem later to become Emperor Jahangir...
.
It was the top grossing Hindi film
Bollywood
Bollywood is the informal term popularly used for the Hindi-language film industry based in Mumbai , Maharashtra, India. The term is often incorrectly used to refer to the whole of Indian cinema; it is only a part of the total Indian film industry, which includes other production centers producing...
in the year of its release, and one of the biggest Hindi film hits in its decade.
Another film on the same theme was Mughal-e-Azam
Mughal-e-Azam
Mughal-E-Azam is a 1960 Indian historical epic film produced under the banner of Sterling Investment Corporation Pvt Ltd, and directed by K. Asif. With its unmatched production, K. Asif's magnum opus took nine years and $3 million to complete this movie. This was when a typical Bollywood film...
, made in 1960, which was again a major commercial and critical hit.
Plot
Shahenshah Jalaudin Akbar is the grandson of Babbar, and the son of HumayunHumayun
Nasir ud-din Muhammad Humayun was the second Mughal Emperor who ruled present day Afghanistan, Pakistan, and parts of northern India from 1530–1540 and again from 1555–1556. Like his father, Babur, he lost his kingdom early, but with Persian aid, he eventually regained an even larger one...
. He is known to have ruled over Hindustan
Hindustan
Hindustan or Indostan, literal translation "Land of River Sindhu ", is one of the popular names of South Asia. It can also mean "the land of the Hindus"...
with a humane and just heart. He knew in order to garner the support of the Hindus, he must treat them sensitively, allow them to worship freely, and in order to maintain this peace, he married Jodabai, a Hindu Rajput, the sister of Raja Man Singh. Through this marriage they became the proud parents of Shehzada Salim. Akbar first met Nadira in the Anar garden, while she was awaiting the arrival of her lover. So pleased he was with her that he wanted to reward her, but she only asked for an Anar, so he ended up bestowing her with the name of 'Anarkali'. He met her the second time when she was able to revive Salim, who was seriously wounded in a war in Kabul. Once again Akbar was pleased with her, wanted to reward her, but again she turned him down. The third time she ended up annoying Akbar when she sang and danced in his court under the influence of alcohol, and he has her imprisoned. The very foundations of Akbar's palace will be shaken to the roots, and his manner of meting out justice will be put to the extreme test, when he finds out that Salim is in love with Anarkali and wants to marry her. While Akbar may have been successful to end the strife between Hindus and Muslims, but will be able to break down the wall between the rich and the poor?
Cast
- Bina RaiBina RaiBina Rai , , was a leading actress primarily of the black and white era of Hindi cinema. She is most known for her roles in classics such as Anarkali , Taj Mahal , and won the Filmfare Award for Best Actress for her performance in the film, Ghunghat .-Early life:Bina Rai born as Krishna Sarin...
... Nadira - Pradeep KumarPradeep KumarPradeep Kumar was an Indian actor in Bengali and Hindi films.-Career:When Kumar was 17 years old, he decided to take up acting. His started his film career in Bengali films...
... Shehzada Salim - Kuldip Kaur
- Ruby Mayer ... Rani Joda Bai (as Sulochana)
- S. L. Puri ... Raja Man Singh
- Manmohan Krishna ... Parvez (as Manmohan Krishan)
- Noor JehanNoor JehanNoorjehan or Noorjehan was the adopted stage name for Allah Wasai who was a legendary singer and actress in British India and Pakistan. Her career spanned seven decades...
(as Nur Jehan) - Mubarak ... Shahenshah Jalaudin Akbar
Trivia
- Vasant Prakash began work as music director, but died having recorded just one song with Geeta Dutt. C. Ramchandra took over as composer and insisted not only that all songs be sung by Lata Mangeshkar but that the Geeta number be removed from the film. Although the Filmistan people agreed, the Geeta song stayed in the movie and was the famous "Aa Jaane Wafaa".
Soundtrack
| Track # | Song | Singer(s) | Lyricist | Music Composer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yeh Zindagi Usiki Hai | Lata Mangeshkar Lata Mangeshkar Lata Mangeshkar is a singer from India. She is one of the best-known and most respected playback singers in India. Mangeshkar's career started in 1942 and has spanned over six and a half decades. She has recorded songs for over a thousand Hindi films and has sung songs in over thirty-six regional... |
Rajendra Krishan Rajendra Krishan Rajendra Krishan , also credited as Rajinder Krishan, was an Indian poet, lyricist and screenwriter.-Biography:... |
C. Ramchandra C. Ramchandra Ramchandra Narhar Chitalkar was a renowned music composer in the movie industry of India. In the composer's role, he mostly used the name C. Ramachandra, though he also used the names Annasaheb , Ram Chitalkar Ramchandra Narhar Chitalkar(Marathi: रामचंद्र नरहर चितळकर /सी.रामचंद्र ) (1918–1982) was... |
| 2 | Aaja Ab To Aaja | Lata Mangeshkar | Shailendra Shailendra Shankardas Kesarilal , popularly known by his pen name Shailendra, was a popular Indian Hindi lyricist.-Career as a lyricist:... |
C. Ramchandra |
| 3 | Mujhse Mat Poochh | Lata Mangeshkar | Rajendra Krishan | C. Ramchandra |
| 4 | Dua Kar Gham-E-Dil | Lata Mangeshkar | Shailendra | C. Ramchandra |
| 5 | Jaag Dard-E-Ishq Jaag | Lata Mangeshkar, Hemant Kumar | Rajendra Krishan | C. Ramchandra |
| 6 | Mohabbat Aisi Dhadkan Hai | Lata Mangeshkar | Hasrat Jaipuri Hasrat Jaipuri Hasrat Jaipuri was a Hindi and Urdu poet and film lyricist.-Initial Days:Jaipuri was born Iqbal Husain in Jaipur, where he studied English till medium level, and then acquired his taalim in Urdu and Persian from his grandfather, Fida Husain. He began writing verse, when he was around twenty years... |
C. Ramchandra |
| 7 | Zindagi Pyar Ki Do Char Ghadi | Hemant Kumar | Rajendra Krishan | C. Ramchandra |
| 8 | O Aasman Wale Shikwa Hai Zindagi Ka | Lata Mangeshkar | Hasrat Jaipuri | C. Ramchandra |
| 9 | Aa Jane Wafa | Geeta Dutt Geeta Dutt Geetā Dutt was a prominent singer in India. She found particular prominence as a playback singer in Hindi cinema... |
Jan Nissar Akhtar | Vasant Prakash |