Mughal-e-Azam - The Great Mughal - a classic epic of Indian Cinema, still remains the greatest film that India has ever produced.
Apart from its epic sweep, MUGHAL-E-AZAM has a delicate heart - the romance between the legendary characters is one thing you'd never forget.Mughal India, the late 1500s. The emperor Akbar (Prithviraj) and his queen Jodha (Durga Khote) have a son, Salim (Jalal Agha), after years of prayer. The maid who brings Akbar this news is promised a reward whenever she wants to claim it. Prince Salim (Dilip Kumar) grows into a spoilt teenager and is sent away for military training. Years later he proves himself to be a worthy warrior. Akbar invites him back to the palace and gives him a hero's welcome. Salim soon falls for court dancer Anarkali (Madhubala). Initially wary of his affections because of the difference in their stations, she soon reciprocates his love. Akbar finds out about the affair imprisons Anarkali. Salim threatens him with dire consequences if she is not released.
Akbar persuades Anarkali that her union with Salim is damaging to the empire and asks her to convince the prince she is a gold-digger. The prince initially believes her but later discovers she was lying. This angers Akbar and Anarkali is imprisoned again. Salim fails to secure Anarkali's release and declares rebellion against his father. Before war breaks out Salim's friend Durjan rescues Anarkali. War begins; Salim's troops are no match for the might of the imperial forces. Captured, Salim refuses to divulge Anarkali's whereabouts and is sentenced to death. Anarkali appears from hiding in time to save Salim. She makes a pact with Akbar to spend one night with Salim as his queen before drugging him unconscious and going to her own death.
As Anarkali is being bricked up alive after her night with the prince, her mother - the bearer of the news of Salim's birth - invokes the promise Akbar made years ago and begs him for her daughter's life. The emperor agrees on condition no one find out Anarkali is alive. Mother and daughter leave the empire never to return.
