I am Hindustan
The Himalayas watch over my borders
The waters of the holy Ganges I have sworn by
Since the beginning of time, darkness and light...
have been my companions
The foundations of marbled monuments that rise from my ashes...
lie embedded in deeper depths than of Earth herself
I was plundered by barbarians and saved by the merciful
The unwise tied me in chains. Those who loved me have freed me
Of those who loved this land, one was Jalal-ud-din Mohammad Akbar
Akbar transcended the barriers of religion and tradition
He taught man to love his fellow man. Thus he embraced this country
This is Emperor Akbar's palace
In this palace live stories of the past
Some four centuries ago, far from this grand palace...
a man walked through the burning sands of the sunswept desert barefoot
This man who walks alone is Emperor Akbar
There is sadness in his eyes, for he has not yet fathered an heir
Akbar is travelling to meet the Holy One, Salimuddin Chisti
He travels in hope that the blessings of the Holy One may beget him an heir
The royal procession follows. But Akbar walks. For he has taken the vow
Finally, the destination is arrived at
The Emperor before whom the world bows to, stands before a mendicant
Seek as one should seek, for God never refuses the faithful
Raise your hands in prayer, and I shall pray with you
O'Emperor of Emperors, Thou hast bestowed upon this humble man...
every blessing that life has to offer
I have heard people call me their emperor
Now, please let me hear the word father
O'Lord of Heaven and Earth, let Akbar not die without an heir
May Jodha be made fertile by His grace
Felicitations! Felicitations to the Emperor
The Lord has blessed the Queen's womb
The Emperor has a son, and the Empire an heir
Allah be praised!
You bring happy tidings to a sad Akbar!
Keep this ring. Keep it with you as a mark of my promise
By the sacred scales of Justice, I swear
Whatever you seek of Akbar, for once in your life...
shall be given
With the passage of time, the prince began to develop certain tastes
Prince...
These scales are not meant for you to play with
Are they for The Emperor to play with? - No. The sacred scales are...
a memorial to Emperor Babar, and they signify Mughal justice
How profound
This is what you have to speak in court. Memorise it
Is this a command? - No, a request
Then I shall try
The Prince became more and more disobedient
And he began to transgress the limits of etiquette and protocol
Take it away, with all due respect
One day, Prince Salim, the heir to the Mughal throne took to drinking
Emperor Akbar realised that a dark future awaited Hindustan
The symbol of Mughal justice shall not be a wayward Prince's plaything
Man Singh
No more for him, the security of his mother's love
Cast him in steel
Take him away. Temper the steel in the desert fires
I entrust you with the future of the Mughal Empire
For a child it's a mother's lap, not the shadow of war
Lord, grant me that my love may shield my son from the enemy swords
The Prince sends his chain of mail from the battlefield
My Salim!
Salim has lived up to my expectations. I am pleased
Salim! My son!
You are the Empress of Hindustan!
No, O'Mighty One. A mother is nothing more than a mother
The frailty of a mother's emotions overcomes Empress Jodha?
That she forgets her status? This I knew not
What political prerogatives that forbid...
a mother to long for a son being bled callously?
Suffer then, but not in tears
Were all mothers whose sons are on the battlefield with yours, to break down...
then Hindustan will be drowned in tears
As much gold as the Prince's chain of mail weighs, be distributed to charity
For 14 years Salim was tempered amidst the storms of battle in the deserts
Why have the Prince's wounds not been dressed yet?
We haven't been given permission to enter
May I beg to be excused?
May the Prince's wounds not be dressed?
Not wounds. These are flowers. Nature rules that flowers shall wilt
Hear this
Not just an assassin' this has a heart too
This is as much a branch of a tree as it is a sword
Surely, this dumb sword is no princess for a romance?
Not merely with the eyes of a soldier do I see this piece of steel
Not that soldier who wields the sword only in bloodletting
Then what is it that the Prince wields?
In my hand, this dancing blade is like a woman in throes, in her lover's arms
Then rises the blood, that spreads in a blush over her face
Poetry, even after fourteen years of bloodletting... strange
There is nothing strange
Were Omar Khayyam's anthology, the Rubaiyat...
to have been etched on stone, not to have been timed for recitation...
would it's meaning be any the less? - No
Then those designs that The Mighty One may have for me, are founded in error
The armour you wore to the victory is to be presented to The Mighty One
Are these years of my bloodied youth not enough?
Not the armour. Rather this story of my life, bloodied and in ashes
And my son shall present this story of your life to The Mighty One
Ride with the despatch
Attention all ye
The Mighty One's foresight has been proved right again
The Prince has emerged victorious again
Does he carry the wounds of battle?
Several. Countless swords he has braved and broken
And every enemy sword proved again and again...
the Prince's valour, and the might of the blood of Akbar
I shall inspect Salim's armour
Instead of the armour, the Prince sends The Mighty One this missive
Read it out. Loudly
Before the Emperor of Hindustan, Jalal-ud-din Mohammad Akbar, I bow
Before You, I present this account...
of every yard of the terrain steeped in Your royal blood
For fourteen years the fires of war that ravaged this land...
sucked from my veins Your blood that these fires took to quench
But Your Salim has still blood left, to bloody the Deccan plateau...
should You so command. In subservience, Your Salim
Allah be praised
From Salim I take heart
Prince Noor-ud-din Mohammed Salim be ordered to march for home
Felicitations to The Mighty One on Prince Salim's return
Felicitations!
Lord, why are you still silent? Just let me see Salim's face
The Emperor has ordered Durjan Singh to bring the Prince back immediately
You are the bearer of news that turns tears to smiles!
Pearls, Bahar! Pearls for your words! - Far too little, Your Majesty
I want the Prince to walk over a carpet of pearls
For Salim, anything!
My son is coming home after years! I shall pray to The Mighty One...
that He lets my son be with me for a few days
His father's politics he has learnt; his mother's love he hasn't known
Tell the courtesans to choreograph a performance beautiful enough...
to make Salim forget the pictures of war
Tell the court musician Tansen to write tunes so dulcet...
to make Salim forget the thunder of cannon
And flowers, Bahar! Flowers for him! And light up the city!
Stars for him to tread upon, and a heaven as far as the eye beholds!
O'everything! Everything I want for him! And everything I cannot say
Lord! Bring me to that moment when I may behold my son before my eyes!
Then for a moment, You too I shall forget
Sculptor
The jewel of the palace in my humble workshop?
I have to choose a sculpture for the Prince
The sculptures I carve, Princes and Emperors cannot appreciate
Why? - For they speak the truth
Behold, the court where every word spoken by The Emperor is law...
against which, there is no appeal
And this, the field of battle
The blood of innocents, for the victory of one man
This is the price of truth
Punishment by death. - Not true, sculptor
May I present to the artiste a rhetoric?
Meaning? - Whereas I appreciate your art...
what art is it that touches not the heart?
What figurine therefore, which fails to woo the vain?
Then at the feet of the idol I sculpt the soldier shall lay down his sword...
Emperors shall lay down their crowns...
and men will carve out their hearts in oblation
What have you done?
The crown is to be presented to the wearer
The hands that crown are others' but the courage is one's own
Bahar, have you no fear that someone might see you?
Fear?
No crown is worn on a head that fears
You wish to become the Empress of this grand empire?
How many girls would be dreaming the same?
Then let them dream
Look at my eyes - Such beautiful eyes!
Like the drunken reveller who jabs his sword at the skies...
are you too aiming for the stars? - Stars do fall out of the skies
For vain princes, one look of the eye is enough
As with death, so also with the hearts of Princes
You can never know when
I wish for it the soonest
Your Majesty, two hours for sunrise. The last pearl for the night
The price may be paid
Shall The Mighty One welcome His son in battle-gear?
Not my son. I go to greet a great soldier of Hindustan
I have not seen Salim grown up. Do not present him to me unannounced
News of the Prince! He has entered the palace
May I be rewarded?
The Emperor welcomed the Prince Himself!
Before he could bow, The Emperor embraced him!
The Prince has crossed the Inner Court. The slaves have sighted him
At every step, he is being showered with flowers
He is firm in his step, as he walks in here
The Emperor has granted permission to the Prince to enter alone
The Prince has arrived
O'joyous world! Or, are my eyes swimming?
Bahar! Hold me!
After so many years! I wonder how he will say Mother?
For me, a new sound!
That word will resound in my ears and it will resonate in my heart
O'heart, miss not a beat!
Mother
Open your eyes, Mother. Look at me. I am here
Salim, you've grown so big!
I was used to seeing you when you were just knee-high
Bend down, Salim. Kneel down
Great soldier, are you?
You bled my blood upon this earth... callously?
Without as much as a thought to what it'd do...
to your mother's heart to see these scars?
Had you remembered your mother in battle...
you would've heard my lullabies through the clangor of swords...
and you'd be as secure as you'd be in your mother's lap
But you never remembered me
Salim, my love!
Bahar, take him away from me!
The heart awaits a glance The foot awaits a step
Who is it that hides from me?
Not hides. Is hidden, Your Highness. - Why?
The sculptor's challenge. When this candle is unveiled...
Shall it be irresistible? Challenges are interesting, sometimes
He claims that at its feet, soldiers shall lay down swords...
Emperors their crowns, and men will carve out their hearts in oblation
The sculptor's claim is much too arrogant for appreciation
I must see how vain art can be
The Mighty One would rather that you didn't see it
Why? - The court astrologer says...
it augurs ill for the Prince to set his eyes on any sculpture...
before the moon has set tonight. The unveiling may be done tomorrow
In the presence of The Mighty One. - The sculptor's challenge...
the astrologer's warning... and this veiled sculpture
How can I wait till daybreak?
The sculptor's claim is correct
Only on stone can be etched so stark a beauty
I must bow before such creativity
The Prince may be accused of idolatry. - And lauded for appreciation of art
Nadira, the sculpture isn't ready yet. You must pose for it tomorrow again
The Prince has seen me. He has expressed his appreciation
There is an ardour veiled in that appreciation
Ardour? Of whom? - You
Attention
The Emperor cometh
Your slave wishes to present a proposition
You may
Stories are told of statues unveiled using the arrow
Interesting proposition
Prince, may stories be made to come true?
As You command, Your Majesty
Great!
An angel from the heavens cast in marble
Not an angel. Human
Who has made you pose for the statue?
One of Your sculptors. He was persistent
But he wishes anonymity
His strange sense of the arts is surely laudable
But that arrow was aimed at you. How come you stood still?
I wanted to see how stories are made to come true
Well spoken, and I laud your courage
Empress, you may take her in as your handmaiden
I name her Anarkali
Tomorrow, we celebrate the birth of Lord Krishna
She will dance
My word
Krishna teased me on the banks of the Jamuna...
Krishna teased me on the banks of Jamuna...
He twisted my delicate wrists
Krishna teased me on the banks of the Jamuna
He cast a pebble at me, and broke my pitcher
He broke my pitcher...
He left me drenched
Krishna teased me on the riverbanks...
With his eyes, he cast a spell; he won my heart
He won my heart
With his eyes, he cast a spell; he won my heart
He won my heart...
My veil he pierced with a mere look
On the riverbanks, Krishna teased me
What is it, Suraiya? - Someone is in love
You are. - You're insane
Who am I in love with? - With the one who's in love with you
Allah! Who is it?
The Prince! - Hush!
Started making commands already? When you become the Empress...
For God's sake, show me not dreams that a slave dares not dream
He is the Crown Prince. The future Emperor of Hindustan
So what? Allah makes Emperors of men, but their Empresses can be anyone
You're naive. Can the earth ever touch the skies?
Then, what do you want to be?
Just a slave. - The Prince's slave
Not again! What if someone hears? - This is love!
If not today, people will come to know tomorrow
I know
Then why be afraid of getting a bad name?
I'm not afraid of getting a bad name. I don't want him to get a bad name
If this is what you believe, you've had it!
Get up, come with me
Where? - To him
His eyes are craving to see you
I cannot face anyone now. Just let me hide in here
Go on, hide. I have the confidence to go and face him
Have you lost your senses?
That is just what I have to ask the Prince
One look at him, and people lose their senses. Why?
To speak my heart before him would amount to transgression
That'd be if neither had he a wish in his heart
But in the state of ardour he's in, will he have any sense of propriety?
What is the matter? Why are you calling Suraiya?
Oh I'm so afraid, Mother!
Why are you here? - I just came...
By whose permission? - By let of my heart
Begone! - I won't
Let her be, Durjan
What do you want? - I wanted to see...
why people lose their senses when they see you
Who says so? - My sister. Nadira
She's out of her mind ever since she saw you
Impertinence!
My name is Suraiya
Does your sister call you by that name?
She used to. - And now?
She has forgotten all else! The only name on her lips is...
Prince
Give your sister this message from me
This could be fraught with danger! - Fall in love, and you will lose fear
What are you so completely lost in?
Letter
What letter? - From the Prince
Allah!
If you pray to Allah, you might get another letter
Take care, it's throbbing
Maybe, it's his heart
Take it
No
You lose no time in giving your heart away. And you lose heart so easily?
I woke up to find Anarkali in my soul
And I was in love
Do you know?
A sadness hangs heavy on my restless heart
Day and night I think of you and my desire
Allah forbid!
He loves me!
Sleepless nights I wake for you
Waiting by the canal
Send me a flower Send me a reply
Let it float down the waters
Forget you, I cannot
Pray, send me a reply
A refusal?
Reason?
Because she's a slave girl. And unfortunately, I'm a Prince
And places may not be traded
But I am human. That too is true
Have you been waiting for me to cross the limits?
Your Highness, in our happiness, we reach out for the stars
But do the stars ever come down to earth?
For I have desired
For God's sake, do not denigrate your status!
You are my master
I... am your slave
This wall that separates you and me, I want to pull down
Sit down, Anarkali
Your Majesty...
Anarkali, look at me
I wish to see the desire in your eyes
No, not my eyes
For I have nothing but the fearful emotions of a slave girl
Then forget that you are a slave. And in your eyes...
let Salim see for himself that which you fear to voice
Do not take away from me, my dreams
It'd kill me!
I'll make these dreams come true
Your Majesty...! - Let them see
Taunts I can live with; not your dishonour
Give me an indication Lord ...what is to become now?
What does this couplet mean?
My heart is slipping out of my hands
Oh, let not my agony poison the lives of everyone
God knows what's come over you. Don't you even feel Ionely?
And he's always asking about you. Get up and come with me
No, I am afraid...
lest my eyes give away...
the secrets in my heart
Nadira, why have you been so depressed of late?
If you stop socialising, people will accuse you of having become vain...
ever since you were named Anarkali by The Emperor
Allah! Would someone so helpless be vain?
Can you stop tongues from wagging? Little do you know palace intrigue
Welcome Bahar
You should take her under your wing. - You mustn't worry
I have come to take her with me. - Take good care of her
Anarkali... your new name is so beautiful
Indeed
As of pretty candles that feed their wax to the flames
Then why fear the firefly?
Fireflies...?
Like me
Maybe you could join me during my performances?
Performance...?
Tonight. It's a recitation contest
Wouldn't it be nice if you were to take a part of the stage?
And the other...? - Me
And... - Which of us wins...
is left to the Prince's discretion
In your court, I will try my destiny
For a few moments, I will see what it means to be close to you
In your court... I will try my destiny too
At your feet, I will lay my head
Spring comes bearing the news of love
After ages, I see hope
I will save myself from the agony...
What fun is a life bereft of any grief?
What fun in shedding tears, without any grief?
I will shed tears in love
In your court, I will try my destiny too
This is what happens to those who fall in love
They suffer in silence... and die a miserable death
I will see this farce and amuse myself
In your court, I will try my destiny too
Love, I concede, ruins your life
But isn't it enough that you are remembered long after you are dead?
I will ruin myself for my love
At your feet, I will lay my head
A few moments, I will spend with you
In your court, I will try my destiny too
To love in secret, to die for love ...the lover's dream
I shall watch it with a smile come the day
Like this flower
And you Anarkali, would rather be in love and be ruined
For what more can one ask for but remembrance, after one is gone
What you get is the thorn
I am fortunate
Thorns live not in fear of wilting
What is it, Man Singh?
Documents relating to Ajmer province. At the disposal of The Mighty One
At my disposal? - Yes
Does Man Singh not know that I have given away the province?
I know, Your Majesty. - Then why the documents?
I am forced to draw Your attention. Unless the mandate is issued...
the province might rise in revolt. - So it has gone this far?
Have you not apprised the Prince of his responsibility?
They were presented to the Prince on several occasions. But...
What is it, Man Singh? - But the reason for his reluctance...
I have failed to fathom. - Then I shall!
Durjan, you will carry my word to the governor of Ajmer
The works are to commence immediately. Tell him that I wish...
to be apprised of the reason for this negligence
I'll tell her that. - And also tell her...
that without her, Salim's life is as dark as the night
And...? - Also that in the wait...
Salim is sinking into oblivion. - And...?
That...
And The Emperor has decreed that the works be commenced immediately
Do you bear animosity towards love? - I bear you goodwill, Your Highness
If you bear goodwill towards others, you might receive letters too
Silence! - I'm Suraiya. You are too forgetful
Sire, I have seen anger in The Emperor's eyes
Unless you stop this dangerous game, the rumours will begin
O'Love, this world...
has nothing but words of resent
They know not what pain the anklets bear
All they can hear is its chime
In every heart...
is hidden Cupid
But all they can see...
is restraint
What sweet a pain they bear...
ask those in love
Whom Cupid's arrow has struck...
none can reason with
For all the repression...
they dare to meet
Love does wonders
So what if you can't see the bees now...?
So what if you can't hear the fireflies...?
They all sing the song of love
And talk about their sweethearts
O'Love, this world...
has nothing but words of resent
Curtains on the more colourful aspect of life
Time to pay attention to mundane matters
Sister...
What's wrong with you, Suraiya? - Why don't you look at me?
Why don't you ask me where I've been? - You know it. Your sister is lost
Then stay lost. I don't have the time for running errands for people.
Goodbye
Wait!
Did you meet him? - Yes, I did
What was he saying? - Lost? And yet so mindful?
Get lost. I won't tell you. - If you don't, you're my pallbearer
I met the Prince in the garden. - And then?
Looked like he hadn't slept all night. He smiled. Then he asked me...
how is your sister? - And then?
Then he holds my hands and he asks...
Say Suraiya, she must be as ill as I am...?
What did you say?
I said it!
Then he stepped forward and he kissed my forehead
And then what happened? - He said, tell your sister that...
tonight when Tansen sings, ask her to come to see me
A blush? After that kiss?
Is it because he kissed me there too? - Oh! I forgot
Such a delightful mistake! But he kissed my forehead twice
Someone must be watching!
The intruder shall see me in my chamber
At your command
I rue my fate that the dagger failed to find its mark
Your Highness, do give the dagger one more chance
There is much blood that flows through my bosom
What carries the flame? - Silenced tales of a night past
And some secrets
Which is why, it will be put out as soon as the day breaks
Your Highness!
A secret you too have tried to unravel
And thus shall you be silenced
You may leave
Anarkali (pomegranate blossoms)
The trees in the garden are flowering
Maybe Your Majesty has not noticed
Yes, I have not seen Anarkali in a long while
Her plaintive voice may soothe my laboured mind
Summon her
She cannot. Not at this time. - Reason?
Anarkali shall sit beside Salim as the Empress of Hindustan
Let not the dust at your feet rise to touch your crown
It is done. I can see it
Akbar's Hindustan you shall inherit. - For God's sake!
The fate of the people of Hindustan you shall decide
Wherever you look, a thousand souls will stand in awe
And your mercy they shall seek
The Emperor!
No! You must not commit such trespass before The Emperor! Let me go!
The Emperor cometh
If His Majesty sees me here, Anarkali dies in your arms!
Untrue to love you are, if you live in fear. It's debauchery, it's sin
Out of the way! - I won't!
Where is he?
Who? - Emperor Akbar, at whose command...
life that Allah giveth is snubbed out! - You shall speak in courtesy, Salim
It is not Salim's Anarkali who may suffer death in a despot's dungeon!
I will have his seal on this order of acquittal
Anarkali may not be set free
Why not?
Silence! The Crown Prince may not be oblivious of his duty
What duty calls for stifling the love in one's heart?
To do The Emperor's bidding is your duty
This is no duty! But it surely is punishment of being born of an Emperor
Then this noblesse oblige you shall have to suffer
Then imprison her not, and grant the same to that innocent Anarkali
You've no right to direct my decision. - But over my own life, I have a right
If Anarkali be not acquitted, then tonight augurs dear not for Anarkali...
but for Emperor Akbar and his dreams
I weep for the falsehood of love
I am hurt, I weep
I weep for the falsehood of love
I gave it not another thought...
my desire for you has led to my downfall
I weep for the patronage you extended
I weep for the lies about love
I am hurt, I weep
How was I to know what it would lead to?
That I'd have to hide my love, and yet lead my life
I live, but I weep at my life
I cry for those falsehoods of love
I am hurt, I cry
I cry for those falsehoods of love
Orders. Anarkali is to be produced in court
Surely the darkness of the dungeons has dashed your splendid dreams?
The darkness was far less than the light I carry in my heart dispels
You may suffer worse darkness
And resolve may harden
Resolve may be crushed
The Emperor's justice?
I wish to hear no more
Akbar's word is the law
You must forget Salim
Forget Salim? - Beyond doubt
Not only that. You must convince him that you were never in love with him
I could bring not my tongue to speak of my love to him. How can I refute?
You will have to prove...
that your love was untrue
A slave dreamt of becoming the Empress of Hindustan
And in love she found a pretty alibi. - This is not true!
Allah knows! This is not true!
Not true!
What you have to prove is that this is the truth
Lord!
Grant me such courage...
that I may even betray the Prince
Your slave shall try to obey your command
Not try
You shall abide
Set her free
I wish I was never in love with you
I wish our saga was never a spent reality
I wish I was never in love with you
I wish I'd never given you my heart
I wish I'd never be so helpless
I wish this world never existed, I wish these norms were never writ
I wish such a test had never been
I wish I'd never been in love with you
For all my transgressions in love...
the world's wrath made me realise
Above Death's blow now I've risen
I wish I'd never been in love with you
Had you crushed my heart...
you would have done love a favour
And I'd never have had no grouse against the world
I wish I'd never been in love with you
I wish our saga was never a spent reality
I wish I'd never been in love with you
No one has ever known Emperor Akbar to renege on His verdict
Anarkali's acquittal is a defeat for The Emperor
Not defeat. It's proof that at heart, The Emperor is humane
For the first time, I think of myself not merely as the Crown Prince...
but also as the son of a father who is humane
In Anarkali's acquittal, He has conferred a privilege...
to the woman I love. - Not love, Your Highness
A privilege for deceit
Deceit? Whose?
Ask it of these chains
I ask you
Fragile as she is, your Anarkali could not bear the weight of these chains
She has traded her chains for golden cuffs
What proof?
Anarkali's rewards include a fiefdom
Tonight, she performs in court. After which...
she has agreed to disappear. Forever
The Prince is coming
Leave me alone
You shall stay here
So at last the wax doll melts?
And burns to ashes that false garb of love...
which you wore when you strutted before my eyes?
Anarkali! The one whom just a dark night in the dungeons has consumed
You treacherous slave! Anarkali you are not!
You're a pretender who is masquerading as Anarkali to get out of prison!
You are not my Anarkali! - Yes, I am not your Anarkali
Certainly not! You are Akbar's whore! Not Salim's lover
You were just an illusion I took heart to
You're a shameful blot on my name. To be washed away!
Attention all ye
The Empress of the world
The jewel of the throne of Hindustan
Maharani Jodhabai
The one we are proud of
His Highness, the Crown Prince of the Sultanate
Prince Noor-ud-din Mohammad Salim
Attention! Heed the Badshah
Plenipotentiary of Allah
The Emperor of Emperors, The One of whom the world seeks succour
Jalal-ud-din Mohammad Akbar cometh
It is but once that man falls in love with another
In anguish, he lives...
in anguish, he dies
When we have loved... why should we fear?
We have loved... not committed a theft
We have only loved
We have loved... not committed a theft
Why should we be afraid?
We have loved... why should we fear?
I'll reveal today the secrets that lie in my heart...
I'll reveal today the secrets that lie in my heart
Death is what the world witnesses...
what good is dying a death of sufferance like this?
We have loved... why should we fear?
In desire of him...
I shall burn
For love, I shall live. For love, I shall die
Nothing more is my will
Now that I am in love, why must I fear?
Our love will not remain hidden
Everywhere around us are tales of our love
There is nothing that separates us from God...
why should we create barriers between humans?
We have loved... why should we fear?
We have loved, not committed a theft
Why should we fear?
This fearlessness in love, this audacity...
this novel manner of making your statement...
indeed, all this deserves to be rewarded
My good fortune
Of the magnanimous Plenipotentiary of Allah, such I have expected
Master of the Dungeons
Take this girl away
Cast her in the darkest dungeon
Leave me alone
Your continued presence is proof of your disobedience
Anarkali was arrested... I watched on. - What else could you have done?
What can anyone do before so mighty an emperor?
But today, Allah's Plenipotentiary must own up to vindictiveness
And my aspirations must be respected. - If a slave is what you aspire for...
then you shall be denied. All your life
Did you beget me that You may rule the life that is mine?
That while I breathe, You hold my heart hostage?
Am I to be indebted to You for my life? Am I to pay my debt in tears?
Anarkali is unfit for you
Why not?
Embrace me as a father would his loved son
Behold me with love in Your eyes as You did when You saw me first
Not as the Crown Prince of Hindustan, think of me as your son...
and tell me, is Anarkali unfit for me? - Father I am, of a loved son
But my duty as Emperor I cannot disregard
For no sake of my son's romances, may I play with the fate of my empire
It all changes. With time
Empires change. Emperors change
But in this world of changes, one who has found love wavers not
Change, you will have to!
Salim! You will have to change
A father who wants kings and sultans to bow before his heir...
an Emperor who wants his Crown Prince to crush kingdoms...
that is the father who has seen his heir...
that is the emperor who has seen his Crown Prince...
bow before a slave's beauty. It was as if thunder had struck his hopes
The shock has shaken the very seat of the Mughal empire
Desist, till He has regained composure
Desist I, whose life has been ruined, and desist not he, who thinks...
his fancied regency has been marred? - That is not the case
No! The Mighty One wants to play God! He wants to dictate emotions!
Who cares of consent to fall in love?
Your Highness! Save my Nadira!
Please save my Nadira!
My Nadira! Please save her!
My little girl! She will beat her head upon the dungeon walls till she dies!
If this is the way she has to die, Hindustan is the empire no more!
Hindustan will become the graveyard for the Mughal Sultanate
If the doors open not, then the walls of the dungeon will have to fall
Not the sword. You need a key to open fortified doors
Bahar...! - I have dared
Come on
Where to? - Far away from Akbar's empire
The arrogance mounts! Salim is to be held
Will you confront The Emperor for the sake of a slave girl?
No! I see in her the pride of Mughals. The Empress of Hindustan
Never! The pride of the Mughals may never be equated to a slave girl
And Hindustan is not your heart for a slave girl to Lord over it
Nor is my heart your Hindustan to rule over
Over your heart, I have no right. But over you, I do have my rights
After all, you are my son. - Yes, your son I am
But you too should consider that I am part of your body
Not some slave
No Salim, no!
You were given to me in answer to my years of prayer
You are my life's treasure. You are my beloved
But this is a matter of the state. Do not drag your mother into this
Do not force me to forget my duty because of my love for you
Have respect for my responsibilities and for your duty too
To Hindustan, you are the Moon! Do nothing to denigrate yourself
Cast Anarkali out of your heart
For the sake of my milk I fed you! - A price for my mother's milk?
No Salim!
Or would you rather...
that I bathe your feet in your milk that runs in my veins as blood?
But ask not for usury
You do not even understand the import of what you speak!
I understand. I seek not one piece of your precious Hindustan
But give me Anarkali. I beg of you
Of Maharani Jodha I seek compassion. Of Emperor Akbar, I seek mercy
Salim! Tears? Those tears are Jodha's and Akbar's life!
Spill not tears from your eyes. Hold your tears
Anarkali, you will have
Never
No heir to Emperor Babar's throne may be disgraced
I decree Salim be sent on the campaign of Deccan
No sad lover, but a soldier be given the sword to carry in battle
Do not endanger the Prince's life. - Death in the battlefield...
is better than life lived in desperate love of a slave girl
Wait
My Salim will not go to war
My decree shall not be swayed by a mother's blind love
But Salim will decide
If You wish to see how an Emperor's decree may be rebuffed...
then give Salim Your dictat
Such scant respect he has for me? - Do not gauge him by his disposition
Let this storm blow over. Salim will change. You'll see
And how to make the storm blow over? - Let him have Anarkali
Once he has Anarkali, Salim will return to us
The obligation of a slave girl to turn my own son around?
For the sake of your son! - A mother can be only a mother
And you are an emperor. Only an emperor
Beyond doubt
Man Singh, so shall it be done
This royal charter decrees...
that the Crown Prince...
Noor ud din Mohammad Salim...
at daybreak tomorrow, leaves the royal palace
and marches for Deccan with the army
Take it away! I am no heir to Emperor Akbar!
Your Highness!
Wait or us at Safdarjung Gate
Your Highness, was that not naive? - Maybe. But I insist
If I be coerced, then I shall refuse to obey
You may not act in naivete. This is no time for being adamant
He is the one who is being adamant. My wounds need to be salved. He knows
And yet he decrees my departure! If he thinks he can coerce me...
he is wrong! - The Emperor will not tolerate...
the Prince's disobedience. The stance may be the excuse for Anarkali's death
This, he cannot do! - This is exactly what he will do
Life for Anarkali lies beyond the bloodbath and the victory
Lead your army
If Anarkali's life be cause for war...
then I shall turn the tide even in the face of death!
But who takes responsibility for Anarkali's safety in my absence?
I do. She lives safe in the shadow of my sword
Durjan, you have but one sword. Emperor Akbar wields a million swords
Then you have a Rajput's word. A million heads will roll
Your Majesty, the sculptor is here
Leave us alone
Sculptor, I am glad that artistes of your prowess thrive in my empire
But the truth is that I face starvation
Not any more
In appreciation of your art
I reward you
In appreciation of the art, this is far too much
But in appreciation of truth, this is far too little
What do you seek? - To spread the truth...
about my art throughout the empire. - You have my permission
My good fortune. My unfinished agenda shall now be completed...
thanks to The Emperor's magnanimity
No, all is not done yet
What you lack in life is a woman
As your reward, I give you the very beauty...
whom you have used to express the beauty of your art
Meaning...?
Tomorrow, you shall wed Anarkali
But Your Majesty...
Is this5s any less a reward? - It is beyond my expectations
I am beholden to The Emperor
You may leave
Such little difference between cruelty and justice that Emperors dispense!
For the bounty that The Emperor bestows upon you...
is this how happy you are? - Happiness is a fool's emotion
I am just joking about the foolishness of the bequeathal
Do you refuse the reward? Do you refuse to obey The Emperor?
Indeed!
The consequences... do you realise?
The truth of my sculpture may yet be borne in my blood
The spirit you have shown in refusing to obey Emperor Akbar, I salute
That salutation is no reward for my spirit
Then, what is it you desire?
I wish to see Anarkali's fate enjoined with yours
A message to The Emperor from the Crown Prince
Read it out
The Emperor of Hindustan, Jalal ud din Mohammad Akbar...
be apprised that I, Crown Prince Noor ud din Mohammad Salim...
hereby declare my independence. I enjoin upon The Emperor...
to accept Anarkali as my consort, the future Empress of Hindustan
The Emperor also be apprised that I am a prince of the dynasty of Tamer
A dynasty of regents who, without recourse to dictat or religion...
chose their consorts. I too reserve the right to choose one of my liking
And this right I am exercising. Should The Emperor disagree...
This is a documentation of the vanity of youth. Read it to the last
I cannot move myself to speak. - The veil of courtesy is lifted
Read on
Read on!
Should The Emperor disagree, then the revolt has begun
The rebellion of this upstart I shall take on
Let the historians add a love-crazed fool to the list of my rebels
Man Singh, we shall fight
I shall ride in battle
Has the Maharani forgotten that she has to say sacrament to my sword?
Your Majesty, the Empress expresses her inability...
to hand over to you the sword that will slay the Prince
Tradition may not be changed. From her only, shall I accept my sword
Always from your hands I have taken the sword...
that has decapitated my rebels
Today too, you shall perform this ritual
You ask me to give you the sword that will kill my son?
Not your son
I seek the sword against the rebel who threatens to kill your husband
Will you not give me the sword to protect myself, for my victory?
I stand not to win. Either way, I lose
On one hand, my husband. On the other, my son
And the choice you shall make right now
Your son, or your husband?
As a Rajput, you epitomise the legacy of women who immolated themselves...
upon the pyres of their dead husbands. Do you hesitate?
You were born a daughter of warriors! Why are your hands shaking?
No hands of one who heartens not to her husband...
can carry the sword of emperors
O'Mighty One!
The mark of the wedded woman that you have wiped from my brow...
you will give back to me with the red of Salim's blood
If the price of my husband's life has to be paid for in my son's blood...
then take this sword, and be happy to kill my son!
Not a word shall I utter!
The call for battle is the cry for his death
Whose death, Your Majesty?
The one so blinded by foolish love, as not to know his father!
This darkness must be dispelled
This pretty serpent that sways between me and Salim, must be fanged
I make an appeal...
my world lies shattered
Show mercy to me, O Lord
Mired in difficulties is life
Have mercy on me, Lord
I need help, Lord... Come to my rescue
I keep no secrets from You
I'm wounded at heart
Have mercy on me, Lord
Dark clouds hover...
there isn't a silver lining
Save me from drowning...
I'm surrounded by storms, life is difficult
Have mercy on me, Lord
I'm plagued with adversity
Have mercy on me, Lord
Open the cell. I have come to take Anarkali
Except death, to none else may we deliver her. The Emperor's orders
And I have to take her out alive. A Rajput has given his word
The army is ready and awaiting The Emperor's arrival
May Allah lead you to victory
May the Regent who loves His subjects, His Motherland and God...
be victorious always
O'Emperor of Emperors, Thou hast bestowed upon this humble man...
every blessing that life has to offer
I have heard people call me their emperor
Now, please let me hear the word father
Are these the hands that prayed?
Man Singh, before the battle commences, I shall go to meet Salim
With all due deference to Your decision...
it is not advisable for The Emperor to enter the rebel's camp alone
But for a father it is possible
Emperor Akbar cometh
Leave us alone
Has The Emperor come to pardon the rebel?
This unfortunate father that the world calls an emperor...
has come to talk to his talk to his son... to ask for his love
You destroy your son's love, and yet you seek his love?
Now the emperor poses as a father?
The Emperor never weeps
These are tears in a father's eyes
Son, before Akbar's principles, your poor father is helpless
Then to Salim too, his love
Son...
Son, love can win hearts. Not battles
Your emotions cannot withstand the relentless onslaught...
of an Emperor's endless might. - That the battle will decide
The Emperor cares not for war to influence his decision
At the sounding of the wardrums...
Anarkali dies
My son...!
So this is the day I begot you for?
If the father's head should roll to please the son...
here stands a father
Your Highness
Has the might of the Emperor overcome a Rajput's promise?
No, Your Highness. A Rajput will give up his life
Not his promise
Anarkali...?
Salim has won without war
There will be no war - There will be war!
My prayers go with you
On the battlefield, may Allah protect you from Akbar's wrath
Anarkali...
That you still live, bodes ill for Salim
Before the swords of Akbar cast the shadow of death over your heads...
before the storm of blood and ash consumes you...
hand Anarkali over
This sword has vanquished the mightiest of warriors...
protects not only Anarkali, but all men who have loved...
all those who refuse to be servile to emperors
Man Singh! Battle begins!
Charge!
Kill Anarkali on this very field
Your Highness, Anarkali's life is in danger
With your permission, may I escort her to safety?
The victorious Emperor returns from the battlefield...
to visit Maharani Jodhabai
Is this the mark of the married woman, or is this a mother's woe?
Look at my sword
Not a drop of Salim's blood
This must be the first sword that a mother has embraced!
Take me to Salim
You may not meet him
Why?
His father's sword may have spared him.
But there's more to The Emperor's justice
Accused. Noor ud din Mohammad Salim, son of Jalal ud din Mohammad Akbar...
be presented before the tribunal for sentencing
Attention all ye
The proceedings may begin
Against Noor ud din Mohammad Salim, the accusation lies...
that for the sake of a slave girl, you have brought the Crown to disgrace
You have undermined The Emperor's decree
You have incited a mutiny
You have lured a trustworthy Rajput like Durjan Singh into treachery
You have abducted Anarkali
You have incited a rebellion in the Emperor's armies
You have revolted
All these charges can be retracted
All your transgressions may be pardoned
I can bestow upon you all privileges as before
Provided you return Anarkali. - For You to execute her?
Beyond doubt
Then in all equity, The Emperor shall do so too...
to those disobedient fireflies that fling themselves into the candles...
and the bees that sing so sweetly of love as they fly over flowers...
and stop the rivers for they lose themselves in the embrace of seas
I wish not to hear depositions on love inspired by madness
I want Anarkali
And I do not want to give Anarkali away
Then I swear by the blood of Tamer that runs in my veins...
you will be disowned forever
That I shall accept
But not the throne that sits upon Anarkali's grave
Not the crown that holds my heart hostage
That is unacceptable. - Now I know!
In the fires of your love you wish to melt down the gold in the Mughal crown
To craft of it anklets to adorn the feet of a dancing girl
Upon the sacred throne of Hindustan you wish to see a pretty whore dance
And you...
And you wish to bring your future daughter-in-law to disgrace in court!
Silence!
Try as much as The Emperor will, to veil vendetta for defeat with justice
Anarkali He shall not have!
His son's life, He may have
Justice I hold dearer than my son
Noor ud din Mohammad Salim, you have taken advantage of my magnanimity
And you have refused to present Anarkali in court
Anarkali's sentence is not revoked
In her stead, you...
are sentenced to death
Mercy!
Seek not my sympathy today
What but death can a despot decree?
In the tale of Anarkali's love etched in Salim's blood...
the demise of Akbar, The Emperor will also be told
Leave me alone
What news?
Emperor Akbar has decreed that tomorrow morning...
Prince Salim will die in Anarkali's stead
Till Durjan can wield the sword, death cannot touch the Prince!
Where are you going? - To face Emperor Akbar!
You are wounded. - My body is wounded
Not my spirit! Out of my way!
Do you see fear on your son's face?
Not a shadow
You are my blood. I have faith
I have come to congratulate my son
The brave Rajput is also wedded to death
How I wish all mothers had hearts like Maharani Jodha
Today is the day when Emperor Akbar was defeated, and love triumphed
To you I express my gratitude...
and my respects to the mothers of the martyrs who bore death...
for the sake of truth and love
This is my final message
Stand fast by those in love, not by those who be mighty
Long live the Prince!
On the path of love...
a lover triumphs
Rejoice. Love is martyred
Victory be to love
Free from slavery to riches, love triumphs
Long live, love
In mosques and temples... Iove is faith
Flowing from Krishna's flute, love is what Allah blesses
Love keeps the world alive
Long live, love
Hatred shall not contain this storm of love
Love shall not be slain by daggers and swords
Lovers are martyred... they are remembered forever
Long live, love
Should love revolt, it could change the world
A raging fire it could cause in mighty palaces...
and overthrow emperors
With their heads held high, they seek no favours
Long live, love
Those who worship power have no faith of their calling
He who worships power has no faith of his calling
A heart bereft of love is made of stone
He whose heart is bereft of love, is not human
Come to your senses, O enemy of love...
lest you are doomed
Long live, love
Long live Man Singh!
Should The Emperor so desire, the Prince may be released
After Anarkali's death
He is alive. He lives
Your Majesty!
The Prince is alive! My felicitations to The Emperor!
You will die
Take this pretty petrel away!
Bury her alive
The word of The Emperor be blessed. May my Prince live forever!
That is all I wish for...
all I wish for
Anarkali, the dying is given one last wish
If you have any wish, you may petition The Emperor
It is beyond The Emperor to give me my wish
I am not so narrow-minded as not to allow the last wish of a slave girl
Speak
Before I die, I wish to become the empress
At last! You have spoken what you had in heart
Even in the shadow of death you have not forgotten...
that golden dream of becoming the Empress of Hindustan
I am a slave. Do not presume that it's my wish, Your Majesty
The Prince promised...
to make me his queen
I do not want him to break his promise
A future Emperor of Hindustan must not be ashamed of failing a slave girl
I shall not let the future Emperor of Hindustan to be ashamed
Man Singh, Salim is to be set free
Before daybreak, you will make sure that Salim inhales...
this flower doused with intoxicants. He must not interfere with your death
He must pass out before the sentries draw you away from him...
and send you to your death
Death is closer than love
So it shall be done
Unless this is done, Salim will not let you die
And I shall not let you live, Anarkali
I died a long time ago
Now please let the coffin pass into my grave
You may go
In return for this act of magnanimity...
this slave absolves you, Jalal ud din Mohammad Akbar...
of the crime of my murder
How will the heartburn ever lessen? How will love ever lessen?
The night is colourful...
what will day be like?
Every couplet sparkles; goblets of joy are drunk
This Spring will be spoken about for ages to come
How much more enchanting could love be?
Such is this colourful night...
what will tomorrow be like?
The mood around here, with the lovers present
Their eyes convey love... their hearts brim with passion
For a few moments spent like this...
why would they even regret death?
Such is the colourful night...
what will day be like?
Such is the state of these lovers...
those issuing edicts aren't going to be spared
Why would they contemplate the consequences...
given the state they are in
A passionate night is in the offing; what is it going to be like
Such is this colourful night... what will day be like?
Why have you done this?
These pretty hands have at last let go of love?
How could you betray me like this?
Do not turn away from Salim, Anarkali. Come to me
Tell me, can you betray me?
Tell me, can you?
No!
Anarkali can betray her on life
Not you
Life...?
Who is it? Who wants to kill you?
No one
Is this why I have been intoxicated? So that you may be taken away from me?
Destiny decrees so
Destiny shall change her decree
Anarkali, I can see those crawling shadows
The cowardly slaves of Emperor Akbar...
they are coming for you! I can see them!
Come out!
Anarkali is mine!
No one takes her away from me!
These heartless knaves...
cannot touch you, Anarkali!
My love, come...
You knaves!
Knaves!
Anarkali...
Salim loves you!
Comes dawn, bearing death...
like someone snuffing out life
May God be your Saviour
May God be your Protector
This is my prayer
Your world, I leave
Accept my farewell
When they take away my bier soon...
do not be one of those who carry it
When they take away my bier soon...
do not lend it a shoulder
May our love never be disgraced
This is what I pray for
This is what I tearfully pray for
May God be your Saviour
This is all I pray for
My child!
Nadira...!
By the sacred scales of Justice, I swear
Whatever you seek of Akbar, for once in your life...
shall be given
The Emperor!
Where is The Emperor?
What do you want?
Life. For my daughter
Has hope blinded you?
Do you not know my law?
Do you recognise this, Your Majesty? Remember...?
You promised me that I may have one wish
I seek Anarkali's life
I remember nothing. - You remember nothing?
But The Emperor never reneges on his promise
I told you! I remember nothing!
You may forget your promise
But that Emperor of emperors who has made you an emperor...
He shall never forget!
On the day of judgement, you shall be accused
And I shall have justice!
Take her away!
My child! Emperor, my child!
Seek what you will
The Emperor has reneged on his promise. What else is there to seek?
Look
My child!
Your Majesty, I am grateful!
Listen...
This tunnel will take you past the border of the Mughal empire
That Anarkali is alive is a secret. You will have to keep it a secret
Salim must know that his Anarkali is dead
So it shall be
The Emperor has done justice by letting her live
Anarkali, pay your obeisances
Till such time that this world is, you will live as love lives
And the Mughals will remember this favour you have done
Unto the dynasty of Babur and Humayun, you have granted a fresh lease of life
But I...
I can offer you nothing but a life of anonymity
I am helpless
By God, I am no enemy of love
But of my principles I am a slave
Consider the helplessness of the slave...
and you might yet forgive me
Anarkali, The Emperor has expressed his gratitude!
Take her away
Emperor Jalal ud din Mohammad Akbar pardoned Anarkali
He took the blame for being cruel and merciless
I stand testimony of the justice of this ruler...
the one whom the world remembers as Mughal-e-Azam