Mughal-e-Azam (1960)

[bunniefuu]

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 w*r

Lord, grant me that my love may shield
my son from the enemy swords

The Prince sends his chain of mail
from the b*ttlefield

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 b*ttlefield 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 w*r...

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 w*r
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

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 b*ttlefield

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 b*at.

Mother

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 b*ttlefield...

lullabies would have flown
from the clash of swords

The b*ttlefield 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 sl*ve 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 sh*t?

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 sl*ve 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 sl*ve.
- But the Prince's sl*ve

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 sl*ve 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 sl*ve

Forget you are a sl*ve. Let Salim read
in your eyes what you fear to say

Do not take away my dreams, Prince

- It would k*ll 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

# 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 sl*ve 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 sl*ve 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 b*rned 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 sl*ve,
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 sl*ve

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 sl*ve 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 sl*ve girl

And our India is not your heart,
to be ruled by a sl*ve-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 sl*ve 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 sl*ve 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 naivet?.
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 b*ttlefield

Go and fight in Deccan

If Anarkali's life is
a reward of w*r...

I shall change the course of w*r
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!

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 k*ll 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 b*at of the w*r-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 b*ttlefield shall decide

An Emperor does not need a battle
to come to a decision.

The first b*at of the w*r-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 w*r.
There shall be no w*r

There shall be w*r!

We pray that on the b*ttlefield
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! att*ck!

Charge!

k*ll 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 sl*ve-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 k*lled 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 sl*ve's last wish

Speak

Before her death, this sl*ve 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 sl*ve

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 d*ed long ago

Now please allow the coffin to be carried away

You may go

In return for this magnanimity,

this sl*ve 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!

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 sl*ve of principles

Consider the helplessness
of a sl*ve...

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