Mughal-E-Azam

(1960)

Badshah Akbar (Prithviraj Kapoor) was the supreme ruler of Hindustan and ruled this country fairly and justly. He wanted the Hindus and Muslims to live as a big family; encourages all religious groups to live in harmony together; and even undertakes a barefoot journey to the temple of Ambe Maa and installs a gold umbrella over Ambe Maa. He marries a Hindu Rajput Jodhabai (Durga Khote), and together they sire a son who they name Saleem. Born in a very tolerant and acceptable atmosphere, Saleem (Dilip Kumar) also witnesses war and perhaps this does have an affect on his mind. He then falls in love with a lowly courtesan, Anarkali (Madhubala). When his parents want him to get married to a woman of their choice Bahar (Nigar Sultana), he refuses and wants to marry Anarkali. This angers the tolerant Akbar, who could never visualize his son marrying a mere dancing girl. He has Anarkali imprisoned, but Saleem arranges her escape and incites a open revolt against Akbar. Enraged, Akbar declares Saleem a traitor and sends his armies to crush him. Saleem is defeated and brought in chains to be sentenced by his father, but Anarkali manages to elude his armies. Akbar wants to trade Saleem's life with that of Anarkali, but Saleem will not let anyone know where Anarkali is, and is therefore sentenced to die. Watch the climax, to the tunes of "Zindabad...Zindabad...." of this blockbuster as Saleem is tied to a tower and a huge cannon is aimed at him to blow him to bits in front of everyone present.