We are grateful to the Ministry of Defence, Government of India, for their Co-operation in making possible the Enactment of the Battle Scenes of this Picture.
History & Legend link the Story of our past. When both are fused in the Crucible of art & Imagination, the spirit of this great Land is revealed in all its Splendour & Beauty.
Sterling Investment Corp. Ltd. presents
K. Asif's MUGHAL-E-AZAM - the great Mughal
I am India
The Himalayas guard my boundaries
The Holy Ganges is the witness to my chastity
Since the beginning of time...
I have been a friend of darkness and light
The foundations of marble monuments that rise from my ashes, lie embedded in deeper depths than of Earth herself.
Tyrants robbed and ravaged me...
well-wishers adorned me
Fools chained me...
those who loved me broke those chains
Among those who loved me there was...
one named Jal Al-u-Din Mohammed Akbar
Akbar loved me
Standing high above the divisions of religion and tradition...
he taught people to love one another
And he held me in his embrace for ever
This is the palace of Emperor Akbar
Now its every nook and cranny...
can tell stories of bygone days
Far from the comforts...
of his splendid palace...
in this scorching desert...
walking barefoot on the burning sand...
is Akbar the Great
There is despair in his eyes because...
for he has not yet fathered an heir.
Akbar's pilgrimage is to a hermitage...
of the Holy One, Sheikh Salim-u-din Chisti...
in the hope that through his prayers...
God might bless Akbar with a son
In the entire Imperial caravan...
Akbar the Great alone had vowed to walk on foot
At last he reached his destination
The Emperor, before whom the world bowed...
bowed his head before a fakir
Seek as one should seek, for God never refuses the entreaty of his devotees
Raise your hands in prayer...
I shall join you
O Emperor of Emperors
Thous hast bestowed upon this humble man...
every blessing that life has to offer.
I have been called Protector of the World, and Shadow of God
Let me now hear a voice that calls me father
O Master of the Two Worlds...
let Akbar not die without an heir.
He shall bless Queen Jodha with a child
Congratulations, Your Majesty
Allah has blessed you with a son...
and heir to the Mughal Empire
Praise be to Allah!
You have brought happy tidings to the dispirited soul of Akbar
Take this ring as a token. Keep it with you as a mark of my promise.
I swear by these sacred Scales of Justice
that once in your lifetime, whatever you may request of Akbar ...
shall be granted
In the passage of time...
the Prince revealed his mischievous nature
Prince!
These scales are not your playthings
Are they the Emperor's playthings? - No
The sacred scales are a memorial to Emperor Babar, and they signify Mughal justice
How profound.
Prince, please learn these words you will say in the Court
It is a command? - No, a request
Then I shall try
The Prince became more and more disobedient
and he overstepped the bounds of protocol and respect
Take this and let it float on the currents of Jamuna
The grandeur of Mughals began to waver...
and the intoxicated Prince Salim started staggering
To Akbar the Great...
the future of India seemed bleak
???
It is an evil day...
when the symbol Mughal Justice becomes the plaything of a profligate Prince
Mansingh
Take him away from his mother's lap ...
and clad him in armour
Temper its steel in the scorching sand-storms of the desert
I entrust you with the future of the Mughals
A child belongs to its mother's lap, not to 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
Salim! My Salim!
Salim has performed his duty as we would have wished
Salim, my darling, my child!
Is this the magnificent Empress of India?
No, Your Majesty. Merely a mother.
I was not aware that a mother's weakness would make Queen Jodha forget her dignity
Your Majesty, does Mughal rule... not allow a mother to pine and weep...
when her son's blood is pitilessly shed?
She may pine, but not weep
If all the mothers of other sons on the battlefield were to weep...
then all India would be drowned in tears
Distribute gold among the poor equal to the weight of this armour
For 14 years, Prince Salim was tempered amidst the storms of battle in the deserts. He became a victorious general.
Have the Prince's wounds not been dressed yet?
We are not allowed to enter.
The surgeon is waiting, Prince. Don't you want your wounds to be dressed?
They are not wounds, but flowers
For flowers to wilt is an insult to spring
Hear this:
It is not only an assassin but also a beloved...
It is a rose-bough and also a sword
Surely, this dumb sword is no princess in a romance?
Not merely with the eyes of a soldier do I see this piece of steel,
nor as the warrior who wields the sword only in blood-letting
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
After 14 years of bloodshed you are still soaked in poetry? Astonishing
There is nothing astonishing about it.
Would an Omar Khayyam verse change if it were written in stone...
instead of gold? - No.
Then whatever plans the Emperor may have for me, they are based on error.
The armour you wore in the victorious battle is to be sent to His Majesty.
Are these years of my bloodied youth not enough?
Not the armour. I'd rather send this story of my life to His Majesty, written with blood and ashes
And none is better fitted to deliver it to His Majesty than my faithful son, Durjan.
Ride with the despatch
Attention all ye
??? praise to God
The Mighty One's foresight has been proven right
The Prince has emerged victorious again
??? hear hear
How many wounds did the Prince receive?
Countless. Many blows fell, but the swords were blunted
They could but not salute the prince's courage and Akbar's blood
hear hear ???
We shall inspect his armour
Instead of his armour, the Prince has sent this message
Let it be read aloud
The Emperor of India, Jal Al-u-Din Mohammed Akbar
Sire, here is the account of every morsel of the land...
soaked with the blood of your heir
For 14 years, this land engulfed in the flames of war...
has sucked your blood which flows in my veins
The flames are extinguished...
but there is still blood in Salim's body
Command me, and I shall stain the valleys of the south with my blood
Sire, your humble servant, Salim
All praise to Allah!
Today Salim has become our heir
Chief Scribe
Send a command to Prince Noor-ud-din Mohammed Salim to return to the Court
Felicitations to His Majesty on Prince Salim's return
Felicitations on Prince Salim's return
O Lord, you are silent. Let me see Salim's face
His Majesty has ordered Durjan Singh to bring the prince back to the Court
Bahaar,
Bahaar, you have come with a message of joy to dry our tears
I shall reward you with plentiful pearls
Far too little, Your Majesty. I want the prince to walk on a carpet of pearls, when he returns
And more than that, Bahaar. For Salim, everything!
My son is returning after many years
I shall ask the Emperor to let my son be with me for a few days
He has learnt his father's manner of rule...
but he hasn't known yet the love of his mother
Tell the Court Dancers to prepare an elegant dance...
to erase the fiery images of war from Salim's eyes
And tell Tansen to compose such sweet melodies for Salim's welcome
that he will forget the bellow of cannons
And flowers! Bahaar, surround Salim with everlasting spring
Make a thousand moons glow for my son
Where his steps fall, let there be an astral carpet
And wherever he glances, let there be heaven
All that my heart yearns for but cannot express
O Lord, let that auspicious moment come soon
when my eyes may behold my son.
Then, for a moment, I might even forget You.
Sculptor
The Spring (Bahaar) of the palace in my deserted workshop?
I want to chose a statue for the Prince
The princes and emperors do not appreciate my statues
Why not? - Because they speak the truth
This is the Imperial Court, every word of the Emperor is law.
None can appeal against it
And here is a battlefield
The innocent blood of millions shed for the triumph of one man
And this is the price for speaking the truth
Punishment by death
This isn't the truth, sculptor. It's just an artist's rhetoric. - Meaning?
The mind accepts the beauty of your art, the heart does not
What good is a statue if a proud head is not humbled before it?
Then I will make such a statue that at its feet a warrior will lay his sword...
a king his crown...
and a man his heart
What are you doing?
This crown should be presented to the wearer
One is crowned by another's hands, but with one's own courage
Bahar, have you no fear that someone might see you?
Fear?
No crown is worn on a head that fears
You wish to become queen of this great empire?
So many other girls dream the same
Let them dream
Look into my eyes
Like the eyes of a drunkard who jabs his sword at the skies
Do you plan to pluck the stars from the sky?
Sometimes the stars fall down to earth
For a vain Prince, one submissive glance of mine is enough
As with death, so it is with the hearts of Princes ???
You can never know when I wish for it the soonest ???
Your Majesty, only three more hours till daybreak
Here is the last pearl of the night's time-keeping ???
Let the price of this pearl be paid
Is the Emperor welcoming his son wearing armour?
We are not welcoming our son, but a great warrior of India
Your Majesty, I have not seen Salim since he was a child.
Don't let him come to me unannounced.
Mistress, the Prince has entered the palace
Will I get a reward, to save the Prince from the evil eye?
The Emperor has welcomed the Prince himself! Before he could bow, the Emperor embraced him!
The Prince has crossed the Inner Court. The slaves have sighted him
There are carpets of flowers to welcome him, but he cares naught for the pomp, he comes near with firm steps
The Emperor has granted permission to the Prince to enter alone
- The Prince has arrived Salim!
Is the world swaying with joy, or am I swooning?
Bahaar, help me
After so many years, in what voice will he call me mother?
How shall I hear the sound of this new voice?
The word "mother" will sound in my ears and in my heart.
I hope that sound won't stop my heart's beat.
Mother
Open your eyes, mother, look at me. I am here
Salim,
you have grown so big
I was used to seeing you when you were just knee-high
Bow down a little, Salim
So you have become a great warrior
How cruelly you have shed my blood
Did you not think how these wounds would alarm your mother?
If you had but once called out to me on the battlefield...
lullabies would have flown from the clash of swords
The battlefield would have become a mother's lap
But you never cried out to me
Salim, my child
Bahar, take him away, or the evil eye might be upon me
Eyes long to glimpse you...
paths await your steps
# "On an auspicious day the Prince has returned"
Who is hiding from me, Bahar?
Not hiding, but hidden, Prince
The sculptor claims that when this statue is unveiled...
Speak. Sometimes such claims are interesting
On seeing this statue a warrior will lay his sword at its feet...
a king his crown and men their hearts
The claim is too interesting to resist
I shall view his arrogance
It is His Majesty's order that the prince should not see the statue now
The Royal Astrologer says it will be a bad omen...
if the Prince looks at any statue before this moon has set
His Majesty will attend the unveiling tomorrow morning
On one hand, the sculptor's claim; on the other hand, the omen
And the statue is shrouded
How can I wait until morning, Durjan?
The Sculptor's claim is justified
Only stone can endure the power of infinite beauty
I am tempted to accept the divinity of idols
The Prince would be accused of idolatry
But also praised for appreciating art
Nadira, the sculpture isn't ready yet. You must pose for it tomorrow again
The Prince has seen me; he has praised your art
- Within that praise is also a secret love for you. - Love for whom?
For you
Attention all ye!
The Emperor cometh!
???
- Your slave begs to make a suggestion - you may
In the legends, unveiling was done with an arrow
We like your suggestion
Prince, let the legend come true
Your Majesty, it shall be done
Praise be to Allah! It seems an angel has descended from heaven...
and taken form in marble
I am no angel, but a human being
Then who forced you to become a statue?
A persistent sculptor of your realm who wishes to remain unknown
His strange sense of the arts is indeed praiseworthy
But why did you stand still when the arrow was shot?
I wanted make a legend come true
Splendid! We admire your courage
Queen
Let her be one of your maids
We bestow the title of Anarkali on her
Tomorrow, when we celebrate Lord Krishna's birthday, Anarkali...
will be a suitable Radha
You have taken the words out of my mouth
# 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 can I be in love with?
- With the one who's in love with you - By God!
- Who? - The Prince - Be silent, Suraiya!
- You can't order me to be quiet, until you are Queen - Suraiya!
For God's sake, how can a slave dare to entertain such dreams
He is the Crown Prince, the future Emperor of India
So what?
No doubt emperors come from God, but their queens can come from anywhere
You're naive.
What possible relation can exist between heaven and earth?
Then what do you want to be?
- Just a slave. - But the Prince's slave
It will be a calamity if someone hears you mention his name
People will hear of it, as always with love affairs.
I know
Then why be afraid of getting a bad name?
I am not afraid of getting a bad name.
I don't want him to get a bad name. - Then say farewell to love
- If you have courage, come with me - Where?
To a place where someone's eyes are longing to see you
I cannot face those eyes right now
Let me stay here
Stay, then. But I have the courage to face him
Suraia,
have you lost your senses?
That's it: I'll ask the Prince why people who see him lose their senses
Suraia,
even yearnings would amount to insolence in his presence
That might be true if he had no yearnings himself
But now, love has put him in a state where he can no longer perceive insolence
Suraiya!
Suraiya, Suraiya!
What is the matter? Why are you calling Suraiya?
Oh, I'm so afraid, Mother!
Why have you come here? - I just came
With whose permission? - My heart's
Begone!
I won't
Allow her, Durjan
What do you want?
To find out why those who look at you lose their senses
Who says so? - My sister Nadira, who has lost her senses
Insolent girl
My name is Suraiya
And your sister calls you Suraiya?
She used to. - And now?
Now she has forgotten all names but one
The Prince
Take this message to your sister
Such a letter could be dangerous, Prince
Fall in love, and you will lose fear
Sister, why so dreamy?
Take this letter
What letter?
From the Prince. - Allah!
Pray to Allah and you'll get another letter
It quivers: Perhaps the Prince's heart is in it
Take it
No
You gave your heart so quickly. To take another's, why do you tarry?
I woke up to find Anarkali in my soul, beautiful Anarkali
Accept my salutations
A sadness hangs heavy on my restless heart
Day and night I think of you and my desire.
I shall die! he loves me!
Tonight I'll wait for you in the Western Garden
Place your reply in a lotus and send it floating down the stream
I cannot forget you, O beloved, I await your reply
Salim
She refuses?
Reason?
Because she is only a slave girl and unfortunately, I am a prince
And both positions are irrevocable.
And I am a human being; that, too, is irrevocable
The heart sought sustenance from the song and went beyond its limits
Prince, the sun illuminates every corner of the universe
Why, then did the sun trouble to step in here?
To become one with the moon
For God's sake, do not lower your princely status
You are the master, I am only a servant
Today I shall break down this wall that separates high and low
Sit down, Anarkali
Prince
Anarkali, look at me
I want to see the confession of my love reflected in your eyes
Do not look into my eyes, Prince
You will see nothing but the fearful longing of a slave
Forget you are a slave. Let Salim read in your eyes what you fear to say
Do not take away my dreams, Prince
- It would kill me - Anarkali
I shall make those dreams come true
Daughter, where are you?
Prince! - Let her see me
I can suffer taunts, but not your disgrace
Oracle, tell me what will happen?
What is to become now?
???
What does that augury mean, sister?
It means:
My heart has escaped me
May the world never know the pain hidden in it
God knows what's come over you. Aren't you afraid of loneliness?
And he's always asking about you. Come with me
No Suraiya, I fear the world...
might read my secret thoughts on my face
Nadira ... Nadira
Nadira, why have you been so depressed of late?
If you avoid other people, they will say you've become proud ever since the Emperor raised you.
Allah! Who can call a helpless person proud?
Enemies cannot be stopped from talking
What do you know of the palace gossip?
Welcome, Bahaar
You must take her under your wing. - Don't worry
I have come to take her with me. - Bless you!
Take care of her
Anarkali, how beautiful is your new name
Indeed
Like Shama, the pretty candle that feeds its wax to the flame
Since you have become Shama (flame), why fear moths?
What moths?
Me, for instance. Why not join our performances sometimes?
Performances?
I have arranged a musical contest. I would be nice if you took one part of the stage
And? - And I the other
And? - The arbiter of our performances
will be the Prince.
# 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
The only story for lovers is to pine, heave sighs, and choke to death
We shall see, some day, this spectacle - with a smile
Your opinion of love deserves this flower
And you Anarkali, would rather be in love and be devastated
For what more can one ask for but remembrance, after one is gone
We shall see, by staking our world for someone's love
For that you get these thorns
I am fortunate
Thorns live not in fear of fading
What is, Mansingh?
Papers concerning the Ajmer province at the disposal of His Majesty
- At my disposal? - Yes, Sire
Does Mansingh not know that we have given Ajmer to the Prince?
- I know, Sire. - Then why these papers?
Revolt may break out in the province; circumstances oblige me to inform you
So it has gone this far?
Why have you not reminded the Prince of his responsibilities?
The papers were presented to him many times, but...
But what, Mansingh?
I was unable to find out the reason behind the Prince's negligence
Then I shall!
Durjan, convey my message to the Prince, the Governor of Ajmer...
to issue the instructions in these papers forthwith...
and also tell him I wish to know...
the reason for his negligence
I'll tell her that. - And also tell her...
that without her Salim's life is as dark as the night
And?
while waiting, Salim is losing himself in oblivion
and ... ?
that ???
His Majesty's message...
is that the instructions in these papers be issued forthwith
Durjan, are you an enemy of love, to appear at this moment?
Prince, I am your friend
You get yourself a friend too, then you may also receive messages
Quiet, girl! - My name is Suraiya; and you are forgetful
Prince, I have seen the fire of anger in the Emperor's eyes
Stop this dangerous game, otherwise people will begin to talk
# 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 has happened to me, Suraiya?
Why don't you ask where I have been?
You know that your sister is always lost in her thoughts
Remain so, then. I've no time to carry messages hither and thither. Goodbye
Did you meet him? What did he say?
yes, I did
- what was he saying? - With that madness of yours I shall not tell you
Tell me, or you shall see my funeral
The Prince met me in the garden. - Then?
He had the look of one who had not slept all night He asked: How is your sister?
Then he took my hand and asked: "Is she in the same state as I am?"
What did you say?
I said he was right.
And he kissed my forehead
Then what happened? - He said:
Tonight, when Tansen starts to sing his raga...
tell your sister to meet me in the Western Garden
Why feel embarrassed to kiss my forehead?
Because the Prince also...? - I had forgotten that
Sweet forgetfulness. But the Prince kissed my forehead twice
# "Being a devotee of love..."
# "I got in search of my handsome love"
# "When our eyes meet..."
# "my thirst will be quenched"
Prince, someone is watching us!
The impudent person who has dared to come here, is to appear in my palace
Your servant is here
I rue my fate that the dagger failed to find its mark. And I lament my wretched life
Prince, give one more chance of victory to the insolent dagger
There is still much blood left in my bosom
Bahaar
What does a candle flame know?
Murmurs of the night, and secrets
For that reason every candle flame is extinguished at the break of day
Prince?
You too have tried to unravel a secret
You, too, could be extinguished
You may go now
Anarkali (pomegranate blossoms)
They are in full bloom in the Palace Garden
Maybe Your Majesty has not noticed
And I have not seen our Anarkali of late, either
Her plaintive voice shall soothe our weary mind
Summon her
She cannot come right now.
Why not?
With Salim, Anarkali shall reign as Queen of India
Do not raise the dust at your feet to touch your crown
That has already happened, Anarkali
I can see that you shall inherit Akbar the Great's India
For God's sake... please
The destiny of the people of India shall be within a lock of your hair, Anarkali
And wherever you glance...
thousands will tremble and the future will shake
Attention - The Emperor cometh ???
His Majesty!
Prince, you must not be so bold before the Emperor. Let me go
The Emperor cometh
If the Emperor sees me here, my grave will be dug before your eyes
Love that fears is not love, it is lust and sin
Out of the way! - No!
Where is he?
Who?
Emperor Akbar, at whose command God-given breath is chocked
Speak respectfully
Salim's Anarkali shall not die in a despot's dungeon. I want his seal on this order to free her
- Anarkali may not be set free - Why not?
Silence!
A Crown Prince must not forget his duty
What duty demands the stifling of love in one's heart?
Your duty is to obey the Emperor
This is no duty! But it surely is punishment, being born in an Emperor's palace
A punishment that you will have to suffer
Then let Anarkali share my punishment with me
You have no right to interfere
But I have a right to my own life
If Anarkali is not freed this night from prison,
it won't agur well for the plans and dreams of Emperor Akbar.
# "Let me lament the false story of love"
# "I suffered countless hurts"
# "Let me lament my youth"
# "I lost all my senses"
# "Your longing has reduced me to this"
# "Let me lament the generosity of your love"
# "Who knew I had to keep silent?"
# "I had to live and conceal my love"
# "I live, but I lament my life"
Anarkali is to be presented in the Great Hall
Surely the darkness of the dungeons has dimmed the glare of your magnificent longings?
The dungeon's darkness was not dark enough to dispel the light I carry in my heart
You may suffer even worse darknesses
My longings shall become all the brighter
Those longings shall be crushed
And the Emperor's justice?
I wish to hear no more! Akbar's command is the law!
You will have to forget Salim
Forget? - Certainly
Further, you will convince him that you never loved him
I could not bring my tongue to speak of my love to him. How can I refute?
You shall impress on Salim that your love was false
A slave longed to be Queen of India... and used the wiles of love
God is my witness that it is not true
But you shall have to prove that it's true
Lord, give me the courage...
to betray the Prince
Your slave shall try to obey the Emperor's command
You will not try, you will obey!
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 written
# 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 a 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
By freeing Anarkali, he has showered favours on love
Not on love
but on someone's betrayal
Whose?
Ask these chains
I am asking you
Your Anarkali's fragile wrists could not bear the weight of dungeon chains
In exchange, she took golden bracelets from the Emperor
Prove it
Anarkali's reward: A gift of land...
and tonight she will dance in the Newroz (New Year) celebrations, after which she has agreed to disappear forever.
The Prince is coming
Leave us
You stay here
Finally the fiery eyes of Akbar the Great have melted the wax of which you were made,
and burned to ashes the tinsel ornament of love, with which you strutted before me...
Ankarkali!
Who was broken in the darkness of the dungeon by just one night
You are not my Anarkali, you have stolen her name and fled from prison
You are not my Anarkali
Prince, I am not your Anarkali
Cowardly whore of Akbar, you are not Salim's beloved
You were just a false illusion that I believed in
An ignominious blot on my name that has to be cleansed
Attention all ye
Behold the Empress of the World, the jewel on the throne of India, Maharani Jodhabai
Behold the heir to the throne, His Highness the Crown Prince Noor-ud-Din Mohammed Salim
Attention! Heed the Badshah, Plenipotentiary of Allah,
the Emperor of Emperors, Jal Al-u-Din Mohammed Akbar, the One of whom the world seeks succour.
# "One loves but once in this world"
# "One lives and dies with that anguish"
# "When one has loved, why should one be afraid?"
# "I was only in love, I was not a thief"
# "I shall tell the story of my love..."
# "even if it costs me my life"
# "Death is real when witnessed by the world"
# "Why die of suppressed desire?"
# "His longing dwells in my heart..."
# "the flame of love lives there"
# "As I live in love, so I shall die in love"
# "There is nothing else left to do"
# "Our love cannot be concealed, it is there for all to see"
# "When nothing is veiled from God..."
# "why wear a veil before his servants?"
This fearless love of yours, this dance...
this novel manner of expression - deserve our reward
I am fortunate. I expected as much from the magnanimous plenipotentiary of Allah.
Master Jailer!
Take this insolent woman and confine her to the darkest dungeon.
Leave us alone.
Your continued presence is the proof of your disobedience
Anarkali was taken to the dungeon and I did nothing
What elso could you have done?
What can one do before so a mighty an emperor?
But today, Allah's Plenipotentiary must decide the limits of his tyranny and my patience
If your yearning is for a slave, a servant...
then your life-long patience won't be enough.
Did God grant your prayer to beget a son so that you may mercilessly rule over him?
Are you the master of even my heartbeats?
Is my life a debt to your prayer,
to be repaid by my tears?
Anarkali is not worthy of you
Why not?
Hold me to your bosom as a loving father...
Look at me with the affection of your first look at me...
think of me as not as the Crown Prince, but as your son, then tell me that Anarkali is unfit for me
I am an affectionate father of a beloved son...
but I cannot overlook an Emperor's duty
I cannot change the destiny of India for my son's love
Destinies change. Times change
A nation's history changes, emperors change
Amidst all this, he who has submitted to love remains unchanged
You will have to change
Salim, you will have to change
A father who had the ambition to see his son win many crowns
An Emperor who thought his heir would bring great kingdoms into submission
Father and Emperor have seen son and heir bow to a common slave
The Emperor's lofty hopes have been dashed, the throne has been shaken
Desist till he has regained his composure
I should desist whose life has been ruined? Not him who fancies his empire has been marred?
- That is not the case ... - Your Emperor rules as a god
Does love also need the Emperor's permission?
Who cares about permissions to fall in love?
Prince, save my daughter!
She will dash her head against the prison walls
If she dies, India will become one vast burial ground...
for the corpse of the Mughal Empire
If the dungeon gates are not opened, then the walls of the dungeon will have to fall
The heavy gates of the dungeon are not opened with swords, but with a key
Bahaar
I have dared
Let us go away
Where to? - Far away from Akbar's kingdom
Arrest the insolent Salim
Salim,
you dare confront the Emperor for the sake of a slave girl?
No, for a woman who in my reign will be the honour of the haughty Mughals
The honour of the Mughals may never be equalled to a mere slave girl
And our India is not your heart, to be ruled by a slave-girl
And my heart is not your India, for you to rule
We have no claim over your heart, but we have a claim over you
You are our son
Yes, I am your son
But in making me suffer...
have you forgotten that I am a part of your body too?
No, Salim, no!
You are the blossom of our countless prayers, the only asset of our life
But do not stir a mother's love in order to tamper with royal customs
Do not drag us beyond duty with the chains of your love
Remember our responsibilities and your status
Do not allow disrepute to eclipse your greatness
Forget Anarkali
For the sake of my milk that nourished you
You ask me to pay the price for your milk
No, Salim! No!
Or would you rather that I bathe your feet in your milk that runs in my veins as blood?
But ask not for interest on it.
Son, what you are saying, you do not understand
I understand fully. Keep your precious India, give me Anarkali, I beg of you
I beg charity from Queen Jodha and from the Kingdom of Emperor Akbar
Salim, these tears are the life-blood of Queen Jodha and the Emperor...
Spill not tears from your eyes.
Hold your tears
Anarkali shall be given to you
Never!
Infamy shall not be forgiven to the descendant of Emperor Babar
We command that Salim be dispatched to fight in the Deccan campaign
A sword is held by a soldier, not a disappointed lover
Do not expose the Prince's life to danger
Death in battle is better...
than a life spent pining for a slave girl
Wait!
Our Salim shall not go on this expedition
My command needs no endorsement by a mother's blind love
But it needs Salim's endorsement
Queen
If you wish to see how an emperor's command is rejected, try to command Salim
Such scant regards has he for me?
Do not judge Salim's respect for you in his present state
Let the storm pass, then see what he can become
And how shall this storm pass?
Give him Anarkali; by doing so, he will return to us.
To regain our own son, are we to be indebted to a slave girl?
What is not done for a child's sake?
You are merely a mother
And you are merely an Emperor
Indeed!
Mansingh, let my command be obeyed
By Imperial Command, our son...
the heir and future Emperor, Noor ud din Mohammad Salim,
shall tomorrow at the break of dawn...
proceed to Deccan at the head of the army
Enough! I am not Akbar's heir
Prince! Wait for me at the gate
Prince, was that no foolhardy? - If he only issues commands...
I shall react with insolence and disobedience
I won't allow you to act in naiveté. This is no time for obstinacy and anger
The Emperor is being obstinate. He knows my wounds need balm, not a sword
His might will not impress me
The Emperor's dignity will not suffer the insult
Your stubbornness will be the pretext for Anarkali's death
He cannot do that! - He will
If you want Anarkali's life, it stands beyond the battlefield
Go and fight in Deccan
If Anarkali's life is a reward of war...
I shall change the course of war and twist the hands of death
But who will be responsible for Anarkali's safety?
I. She shall have the protection of my sword
Your sword is but one against Akbar's millions
I am a Rajput. Millions will sacrifice themselves for my word
Your Majesty, the sculptor is here
Leave us alone.
Sculptor, we are glad to know that artists of your prowess thrive in our empire
The truth is, I face starvation
No longer
We admire the beauty of your art. We shall honour and reward you
In appreciation of art, this is too much. But in appreciation of truth, this is far too little.
Then what do you want?
To spread the truth of my art to every corner of the empire
We grant permission
Your Majesty's generosity will enable me to complete my unfinished projects
There will be even more.
Your life lacks a certain happiness
As reward, we shall give you a flourishing beauty who once was your model
Meaning?
Tomorrow you shall marry Anarkali
But, Your Majesty
Is the reward insufficient?
More than I dared hope
Today I am convinced of His Majesty's justice
You may go
How fine is the difference between an Emperor's justice and tyranny
After such a beautiful reward, is this how you express your happiness?
Happy? Only fools give expression to happiness
I'm only mocking the foolishness of the gift.
You reject the Imperial Command and the precious reward?
Certainly
Are you aware of the consequences, Sculptor?
This very masterpiece may come to life with my own blood
By rejecting Akbar's command...
you have shown courage and devotion to truth
I am most grateful
The Prince's gratitude is no fitting reward for my spirit
Then what do you want?
I want to see Anarkali's destiny securely joined with yours
A message to the Emperor from the Crown Prince
Let it be read aloud
To the Emperor of India, Jal Al-u-Din Mohammed Akbar
Let it be known that the heir to the throne, Noor-u-Din Mohammed Salim...
through this message...
declares his independence of you.
I demand that the Emperor accept Anarkali as my wife...
and the future Empress of India
He should accept that I am a proud Prince of Timuride lineage...
whose kings, regardless of custom or religion, chose their own queens
Therefore, I am exercising my right to choose my own queen
I am asserting that right
If the Emperor does not accept my decision...
This document of the vanity of youth is be read to the end
I cannot bring myself to speak.
The veil of courtesy is lifted today
Read on!
If the Emperor does not accept my decision...
be it known that I'll start a rebellion.
We accept the challenge of this upstart's rebellion.
Tell the Chronicler to add the name of a love-crazed fool to the list of rebels
Mansingh!
we shall fight, and I shall lead the army myself
Has the Queen forgotten that it is her duty to bless my sword?
The Queen says she cannot present the sword that will slay the Prince
Custom cannot be broken; we shall receive the sword from her hands
I always received from your hands the sword that severed the heads of rebels.
Today too, you shall perform that rite.
You ask me to present you the sword that will kill my son, your Majesty?
Not your son, but a rebel who has vowed to make you a widow
Will you not present me the sword to protect myself, for my victory?
There is no triumph for me. I shall lose, whatever happens
My husband on one side, my son on the other
Now you must make your choice:
Your son or your husband?
Queen of brave Rajput stock whose wives immolated themselves on the pyre of their husbands, why do you hesitate?
Daughter of proud warriors, why do your hands tremble?
How can these hands lift Akbar's sword, if they cannot even bear the bridal bracelets?
Your Majesty!
You have wiped the bridal symbol from my brow
and you will return it to me with Salim's blood?
If the price of my bridal loyalty is Salim's blood, take the sword and slay my child!
I shall not even sigh
The first beat of the war-drum shall herald her death
Whose death, Your Majesty?
Hers, whose charms have so darkened his soul
that Salim can no longer recognize us.
That darkness must be dispelled.
That pretty serpent who writhes between Salim and me, must be fanged.
# "Lord help me, I'm unfortunate"
# "I am in dire straits..."
# "my ship is in troubled waters"
# "Lord help me, I'm unfortunate"
# "Help me, Lord"
# "Restore what I have lost"
# "You know..."
# "even my secret thoughts"
# "My hands are tied..."
# "and my heart is wounded"
# "Have mercy, Lord"
# "Misery clouds me, my Protector"
# "Lord, save my ship..."
# "it is drowning"
# "There is a sign of a storm..."
# "which makes life even more difficult"
# "Have mercy, Lord"
Open the prison gate, I have come to take Anarkali
Except to death, to none else may we deliver her. The Emperor's orders.
And I have orders to take her out alive. A Rajput has given his word
The army is ready and awaits His Majesty
- May Allah lead you to victory - May the Emperor 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 been called Protector of the World, and Shadow of God
Now please let me hear a voice that calls me father
Akbar, are these the same hands which you lifted in prayer?
Mansingh, before the battle I shall go and meet Salim
It is not advisable for the Emperor to enter the rebel's camp alone
But it is right for a father
The Emperor Akbar cometh
Leave us alone.
Has His Majesty come to pardon the rebel?
An unfortunate father, whom the world calls Emperor...
has come to conciliate with his offended son and seek his love
You destroy your son's love, and yet you seek his love
Now the Emperor poses as a father?
Emperors never weep
These are the tears of a father.
Your poor father is rendered helpless by the principles of Emperor Akbar
And Salim is rendered helpless by his love
Son,
love can win hearts, but not battles
Your emotions cannot withstand the onslaught of an omnipotent Emperor
The battlefield shall decide
An Emperor does not need a battle to come to a decision.
The first beat of the war-drum shall herald Anarkali's death
My son!
Did we beseech Allah for a son only to show us this day?
If the son can fulfil his obduracy only by slaying the father, then...
here stands the father.
Prince!
Has an Emperor's might overcome a Rajput's word?
No, Prince. A Rajput may give up his life...
but never his promise.
Where is Anarkali?
Salim is victorious without war. There shall be no war
There shall be war!
We pray that on the battlefield God may protect you...
from Akbar's wrath.
Anarkali
That you still live, bodes ill for Salim.
Before the long shadow of Akbar's sword casts the shadow of death upon your heads...
before the strom of blood and ashes wipes you out without trace...
I demand the return of Anarkali
This sword has destroyed the conceit of many warriors
Today, it shall not only protect Anarkali, but also all lovers...
whose heartbeats refuse to be enslaved by an emperor.
Mansingh! Attack!
Charge!
Kill the abominable Anarkali on this very field.
Anarkali is in danger. Permit me to take her to a safe place
The Emperor has returned victorious from the field of battle
Is this bridal sign Salim's blood?
Behold this sword, not a drop of Salim's blood is on it
You must be the only sword in the world to be embraced by a mother
I want to see Salim
You cannot
Why?
A father's sword was merciful...
but an Emperor's justice will be done
The accused, Noor-u-Din Mohammed Salim...
son of Jal Al-u-Din Mohammed Akbar...
is presented before this Court
Attention all ye
The proceedings may begin
Noor-u-Din Mohammed Salim, you are accused...
of dishonouring the Crown for the sake of a slave-girl
You scorned Imperial commands
You incited a mutiny,
you compelled Durjan Singh to commit treason by forcefully freeing Anarkali
You led the Imperial Army into revolt ...
These accusations can be withdrawn...
and your foolish disobedience forgiven...
and all your former privileges restored, provided you return Anarkali
So that you can put her to death?
Certainly
Then the Emperor should also punish unruly moths which fall in love with the flame
Imprison the bumble bee that hums sweet melodies of love to the flower
Dam the stream that would be one with the ocean
I do not care to hear demented pleas for love
I want Anarkali
And I won't deliver her.
Then I swear by the blood of Timur that runs in my veins...
that you shall be disowned, and abandon your claim to this glorious throne
Agreed. I won't accept a throne which is built upon Anarkali's grave
I won't accept a crown which impales my heart
This is unacceptable! You wish to melt down the gold of the Mughal crown in the fires of your love...
to make anklets for a dancer
You want to see a pretty whore dance on the sacred throne of India
And you want to debase your future daughter-in-law before the court!
Be silent
The Emperor may try as much as he will, under the pretext of justice he won't get Anarkali.
He may have his son's life instead.
Justice I hold dearer than our son
Noor-u-Din Mohammed Salim...
you have taken advantage of our magnanimity
You refuse to produce Anarkali in court
Anarkali's sentence of death won't be revoked
But in her place...
we pronounce it on you
Mercy, Your Majesty!
Seek not my sympathy today!
What more than death can be expected of a despot Emperor?
When the Chronicler writes in Salim's blood of his and Anarkali's death...
he will also record the death of the Emperor Akbar.
Leave me!
- What news? - Akbar the Great has commanded...
the Prince's execution tomorrow in place of Anarkali
As long as Durjan's hands can grasp a sword...
death shall not come near the Prince
Where are you going? - To face the Emperor Akbar.
But you are wounded! - My body is wounded...
but not my courage! Out of my way!
Mata ...
Do you see fear on your son's face?
No. I have faith in my blood
I have come to congratulate my son
The brave Rajput was also wedded to death
May every mother possess a heart such as Maharani Jodha
This historic day...
marks the defeat of Akbar the Great and the triumph of love
I am grateful to you
I congratulate the mothers of those martyrs...
who sacrificed their lives for truth and love
My last request...
is that you stand by those who have a heart, not those who have the power
Long live the Prince!
# "The lover celebrates..."
# "along the path of love"
# "Be Joyous..."
# "Love attains martyrdom"
# "Long Live Love!"
# "You remain free of wealth's fetters"
# "You are in the temple, the mosque of every creed"
# "You are in Krishna's flute and the Muezzin's call"
# "Thanks to you, faith is alive in the world"
# "Walls of hate cannot keep out love's storm"
# "Love cannot be killed by blades and swords"
# "Lovers may die, but their memory lives on"
# "Love's revolt can change the world"
# "Set the citadels ablaze, reject the throne"
# "Do not stand before death as a mendicant"
# "He whose religion is royal splendour is a man without creed"
# "He whose heart is devoid of love is formed of stone, not flesh"
# "Enemy of love, regain your senses, or you shall perish"
# "Long Live Love"
Long live Mansingh!
Mansingh!
Should Your Majesty so desire, the Prince may now be released.
After Anarkali's death
He is alive. He lives.
Your Majesty
My felicitations to His Majesty that the Prince is alive.
And to you, that you'll die.
Take away this bewitching enchantress.
And bury her alive.
May the sun of the Emperor's glory shine for ever...
and may my Prince outlive the moon and the stars
Accept my life, that is all I wish for, I have been richly rewarded.
Anarkali, it is the custom to grant the condemned a last wish
If you have one, ask His Majesty
My last wish is not within his Majesty's power
Our mercy is not so limited that it cannot grant a slave's last wish
Speak
Before her death, this slave wishes to become the empress
At last! What lurked in your heart has come to your lips
Even in the terrible night before your doom...
you still dream of being the queen of India
Do not misunderstand my wish
The Prince had promised...
to make me his Queen
I do not want him to break his promise.
I do not want the future Emperor of India...
to blush for not keeping his promise to a slave
That shame shall not befall the future Emperor of India
Mansingh, release Salim
Before dawn, make Salim inhale this flower's perfume, drenched with the potion of oblivion
Thus he will forget you and remain oblivious of your death
Guards will take you from your lover's arms...
and place you in the arms of death
Death draws nearer than love
It shall be done
If not, Salim will not let you die...
and I shall not let you live
I died long ago
Now please allow the coffin to be carried away
You may go
In return for this magnanimity,
this slave absolves you, Jal Al-u-Din Mohammed Akbar, for murdering her
# "How can hearts pine less?"
# "How can love diminish?"
# "When the night is so drunken..."
# "what shall dawn be like?"
# "The melodies are intoxicating..."
# "goblets brim with joy"
# "The joy that reigns here..."
# "is the legend of tomorrow
# "How could the season of love be more beautiful?
# "Both lover and beloved are together"
# "Alluring eyes, love pining within the heart"
# "Within this splendour..."
# "why should she give a thought to death?"
# "Strange is the state of lovers"
# "What can be said of the end of love?"
# "If ankle-bells break, then what shall happen, my companion?"
How could you do this to me?
Have these beautiful hands said farewell to love?
Can they betray me?
Do not turn your face away from Salim.
Come close and tell me; can you abandon me?
Never.
Anarkali can abandon her life...
but not you
Abandon your life?
Who wants to deprive you of your life?
No one
Was I intoxicated only so that they can take you away me?
Fate willed it so
Fate must change its verdict
Anarkali, the crawling shadows are closing in
The cowardly slaves of Emperor Akbar are coming to take you away
I can see them
Come out!
Anarkali is mine, no one can take her away from me
These unclean slaves...
cannot touch your chaste body
Beloved, come to me
You insolent knaves!
Anarkali, Salim loves you.
# "From the half-light of dawn..."
# "comes the call of death"
# "It sounds as if someone has stilled the song of life"
# "May God always protect you"
# "Accept this message of a true heart"
# "I leave this world of yours behind"
# "Arise, accept my farewell"
# "Tomorrow, when my funeral procession passes by..."
# "promise that you will not bear my coffin on your shoulder"
# "Let not our love suffer disgrace"
# "Accept this message of my tears"
My child, my daughter
I swear by these sacred scales of justice...
that whatever you may request of me shall be granted
Your Majesty!
Where is His Majesty?
Disrespectful woman, what do you want?
My daughter's life
Perhaps you are too shocked to comprehend our justice
Remember this token, Your Majesty
You promised me whatever I might ask
I ask for the life of Anarkali
I remember nothing
A just king never goes back on his word
I said I remember nothing
You can forget your promise...
but the Emperor of Emperors, who made you Emperor, will never forget
On Judgement Day... I shall seek justice before Him
Take her away
My daughter, Your Majesty!
Ask what you wish
What can a king who has broken his word, give?
Look!
Anarkali, my child!
I am grateful, Your Majesty
Listen,
this tunnel will lead you to the border of the Mughal empire
The secret that Anarkali is alive...
you shall not reveal.
All his life Salim will believe that Anarkali is dead
So be it. By letting her live, the Emperor has kept his justice alive
Anarkali, make obeisance
As long as the world survives, Anarkali...
you shall remain the eternal symbol of love
Mughal history shall remember you for ever...
because you gave new life to the descendants of Babar and Humayun
But I...
I can give you nothing but a life of obscurity
I am helpless
I swear by God, I am not an enemy of love, but a slave of principles
Consider the helplessness of a slave...
then, perhaps, you can forgive me
Anarkali, His Majesty is addressing you
Take her
And that is how my beloved Emperor Jalal ud din Mohammad Akbar
spared Anarkali's life
In the eyes of the world he appeared cruel and unjust
I am the living testimony of that Emperor's justice
He whom the world remembers as The Great Mughal
The END
Engl. subtitles corrections: serdar202 - 2017