AFTER more than 200 spellbinding performances across six Asian countries, India’s most spectacular musical play premiered in North America last month. Based on K Asif’s 1960 classic film of the same name, the play showcases India’s rich culture of classical music and dance form of Kathak intertwined in a legendary love story. The 13-city tour started from Atlanta on May 26.
For more than 60 years, the story of Mughal-e-Azam has enchanted legions of fans across the globe. The black and white magnum opus, made in 1960, was re-released in 2004 in colour after full restoration. Even in re-release, the film had a 25-week run in cinema halls in India.
A costly affair
With a cast and crew of 150, the musical version of Mughal-e-Azam is the most expensive theatre production ever from India. It comprises mesmerizing dance sequences, spectacular lighting, extravagant costumes and live signing.
In 2017, the musical won seven out of 14 Broadway World India Awards, including Best Play, Best Director, Best Costume Design, Best Choreography, Best Original Set Design, Best Original Lighting Design and Best Ensemble Cast.
Mughal-e-Azam centers around the love story between Prince Salim and court dancer Anarkali. Upon learning of this forbidden relationship, Emperor Akbar vehemently disapproves and must choose between his responsibility towards his empire and his duty as father of a beloved son. The play is in Hindi / Urdu or Hindustani, with LED screens displaying English subtitles.
The new director
“This production is a tribute to K Asif’s masterpiece, which has enthralled the audiences for over six decades,” says Director Feroz Abbas Khan. “A love story that threatened an empire and the sheer audacity of a courtesan to challenge an emperor by declaring ‘Pyaar kiya toh darna kya’ is simply breathtaking. A musical of unprecedented scale, intensity and grace, this is perhaps the finest moment in Indian theatre.
“Mughal-e-Azam as an art form has enthralled audiences across nations and across generations – be its black and white film version, colour film version or the musical,” says Deepesh Salgia, the Producer of the play. “We at Shapoorji Pallonji are extremely delighted to bring this musical to a country that prides itself in creating a global eco-system for theatrical production.” The North American shows are presented by Cinema on Stage Inc.
Screenplay preserved
On the 60th anniversary of its release, Mughal-e-Azam became the first film from the golden age of Bollywood to have its screenplay admitted in the official Oscars library in Los Angeles. Three versions of the legendary screenplay of the historic epic – in Hindi, Roman text and English translation – are now available at the prestigious Margaret Herrick Library, the main repository of the Academy of Motion Pictures, Arts and Science.
Akbar Asif, son of the genius Director of the film, had told a news publication then, “The journey of Mughal-e-Azam started with words from the greatest writing team ever assembled in Hindi cinema and I thought the best way to honour them was to permanently preserve their screenplay in the world’s most renowned film library.” Akbar Asif, a successful businessman residing in London, has made it his life’s mission to keep the legacy of his father and those involved alive.
About Feroz Abbas
Feroz Abbas Khan is recognised for exploring new forms as much as for bringing theatre mainstream recognition. The bandwidth of his works range from intensely contemplative to the utterly exhilarating and from autobiographical one man shows to two character plays to full scale musicals.
His works include “Tumhari Amrita” (Shabana Azmi and Farouque Shaikh), “Saalgirah” (Anupam and Kirron Kher), “Mahatma vs Gandhi” (Naseeruddin Shah and Kay Kay Menon), “Salesman Ramlal” (Satish Kaushik and Seema Biswas), “Kuch Bhi Ho Sakta” (Anupam Kher), “Dinner With Friends” (Perizad Zorabian).
About S Pallonji Group
In the 1940s, when K Asif was unable to find a financier for his dream project, a film that was not only infeasible but also a loss-making proposition, Shapoorji Pallonji entered the scene and produced “Mughal-e-Azam” (1960) to support the cause of Indian art and culture.
Later in 2004, the Group continued its agenda and fulfilled the wish of K Asif, by releasing the coloured version of the film which too proved a blockbuster. In 2016, Shapoorji Pallonji produced the musical “Mughal-eAzam,” again for the cause of promotion of Indian art and culture.
Other than this, Shapoorji Pallonji Group has no stakes in the entertainment business. This $4 billion Mumbai-headquartered conglomerate has interests in engineering and construction, infrastructure, energy, real estate, water recycling and financial services. From research parks to marine terminals, from royal palaces to cricket stadiums, from industrial complexes to IT parks and from premium skyscrapers to mass housing, Shapoorji Pallonji’s work dominates the skyline of several Asian and African nations.
