Mughal-e-Azam (1960)

Well... what to say about the greatest film in the history of India... Mughal-E-Azam is a film which can never die or be forgotten. It is impossible for this film to be forgotten.Story- Argubaly the greatest story ever formed.. Falling in love with a low class maid, revolting against own father and finally parting ways forever.. Acting- Dilip Kumar as Salim leaves you speechless and so does the ethereal beauty Madhubala as Ananrkali. Prithviraj Kapoor as King Akbar steals the show. In supporting roles- Durga Khote as Jodha Bai, Nigar Sultana as the evil meddlesome Bahar deliver a promising performance. A 'Perfect' casting for a film.Music- Pyar Kiya To Darna- Picturised on Madhubala, Dilip Kumar, Prithviraj Kapoor, Durga Khote, Nigar Sultana still is the grandest song ever.Mohe Panghat Pe- Picturised on Madhubala, Kumar, Kapoor, Khote is still played on Lord Krishna's Janmasthmi.Teri Mehfil Mein- Picturised on Madhubala, Nigar, Kumar is arguably the best duet till date.Other hits like Mohabbat Ki Jhooti, Humen Kash Tumse, Jab Raat Hai Aisi, Aye Mohabbat Zindabad, Bekas Pe Karam Kijiye, Khuda Nigeheban, Aye Ishq Yeh Sab Duniyawale... are still remembered today... Direction- FABULOUS! THE ONLY FILM OF K.ASIF!Release Dates- 05-08-1960 (BW/ Partly Color) 12-11-2004 (Colorized)its a much watch 4 every youngster... Please parents, make them watch this

Note: I've marked the spoiler sign- but this is a well known myth so no surprises here (not even the ending- which is also a popular myth where Anarkali comes back as NurJahan).Prepare to be dazzled. A luscious feast for the senses, the new restored & colorized version allows us to appreciate the fine attention to detail. The colors are breathtaking- and that is when I realized that Sanjay Leela Bhansali- much as I like that director- isn't all that original. K. Asif got there first. Bhansali tried to do the lavish sets, gorgeous costumes, attention to detail, assault of color in Devdas. But K. Asif got there first- and without the digital technology of today.That is only the film's visual victory over your defenses. When there is silence in a scene- you can only just hear the fountains, and the crystal droplets of the "shama daans" or lamps tinkling in the soft breeze. And then there are the gorgeous, tight, beautifully written dialogs rendered in chaste Urdu (by all actors, regardless of religion- Prithviraj Kapoor's progeny might like to take a feather off his cap, and polish up their enunciation - really there is no reason why the poet Ghalib must be referred to as Gaalib by today's lazy actors). It was a relief to my ears which are usually accosted in even the best Karan Johar entertainer, by an unfortunately politicized and degraded Hindustani.Then there are the performances. Albeit some performances and dialogs are melodramatic, over-the-top- especially the ones with the mother, Queen Jodha Bai, yet one must understand the requirement of the time, as well as the archetypes that were (and are) close to the heart of the audiences. These often have religious and mythological overtones which most people would immediately have picked up on- the mother, the wife, the beloved.Technically, so much has been said about the cinematography, especially in the dance scene in the Hall Of Mirrors, and the battle scenes- that I wont repeat them- but I'll just say- pay attention to these and remember these scenes were shot despite the limitations of available technology. Amazing! Finally- the fabulous on screen chemistry of Dilip Kumar and Madhubala. With his nuanced acting and the slightest inflection in tone conveying volumes- Dilip Kumar is simply arresting and with her naughty, flirtatious first dance as Radha, Madhubala conveys the passionate Anarkali. Their scenes together are never vulgar or titillating- just terribly erotic- sensuous- again tactile: Prince Salim brushing a feather against Anarkali's skin...Really- there's so much more to write- but I'll just say that there is a reason this is a classic. Enough said.10/10

Now that's what we call a timeless classic. Mughal-e-Azam is arguably the BIGGEST production in Indian cinema ever. According to estimates, if the movie was made in present day with same magnitude, it would have cost around 3 times the costliest Hindi movie made. But big budget is not the only thing big about the movie, its just one of them. This masterpiece directed by K.Asif unleashes the Mughal era on the big screen in a simply magnificent manner. The sheer magic of cinema grips you all through, and though the movie runs for longer time than an average Hindi movie, you really don't ever feel dragged. The dialog in pure Urdu, the magical music, amazing dance sequences, unforgettable songs, and amazing performances by the entire cast and the scale and magnitude of the film...you actually start living in the Mughal era. Prithviraj Kapoor portrays emperor Akbar with élan, Dilip Kumar as Salim lend realism to the character and stunning Madhubala pulls of the Anarkali role with effortless ease. The film was re released in color and Dolby sound version, which again created history at the box office, confirming that pure magic never dies down. If you are planning to watch a great Hindi film, its a sin to skip this one. Simply FANTASTIC !

When one thinks of great movies they remember the classics such as gone with the wind, Ben hur etc... but let us not forget one of the greatest cinematic triumphs of Hindi Cinema Mughal-e-Azam a film set in the times of the great Moughul Empire. Having seen both the part B/W and Colour and the remastered full colour version I can truly say that the colourised version truly brings out the true glory of this amazing classic putting it in a league way beyond the Classics of today. The dialogue is simply superb and the acting truly amazing modern filmmakers could learn thing or two about acting. The cinematography is simply stunning for a movie of its time. the grandeur and opulence of the sets really comes out in full colour. The story though not very relevant for modern times shows the views and attitudes of India's past. a truly great film to watch...