I managed to purchase three tickets of the first show of Mughal-e-Azam. Out of the three, I sold two tickets in black, and made some extra money to meet my daily expenses, including tea and snacks during the interval. Hence, I actually paid nothing to watch the movie
By Ramsharan Joshi
(A fascinating video has been circulating these days. It shows Indians and Americans enjoying the resurrection of a great film from the past which used to be a super hit every time it was re-released in cinema halls across the towns and cities of India, especially in the Hindi heartland. The film, based on a mythical love story, with great actor Dilip Kumar as Salim, Madhubala as Anarkali, and Prithiviraj Kapoor as Akbar, had earlier reached the Silver Jubilee and Golden Jubilee mark when it was first released, hitting 25 or 50 straight weeks of every show as ‘Housefull Show’ with all tickets sold out, in many parts of India.)
(The video also showcases a superlative dance performance by a group of professional dancers celebrating that famous song, Pyaar kiya to darna kiya, beautifully sung by Lata Mangeshkar, and rendered immortal by one of the most beautiful and popular actress of her time — Madhubala. The song is at once a defiance of the emperor, by an ‘ordinary woman’ in love with the prince, and a magical celebration of intense passion, love and longing, between two young hearts.)
The video, showcasing the celebration of the 64th year of K Asif’s grand epic, Mughal-e-Azam, at the Times Square in New York, has drawn me to relive the memories of the days when the mega film, with some of the super stars of Bombay cinema, was being shot at the rampart of Amer Fort, Jaipur, in 1959.
I loved watching film shooting within the ‘pink city’ of Jaipur and its outskirts. When I heard about the shooting of Mughal-e-Azam at Amer Fort, I slipped out of my school, boarded a bus and dashed to the shooting spot.
A middle-aged, sturdy man, puffing a cigaratte, was directing the cameraman, and a long row of platoon of olden days. The troops were holding mashals (torches). They were lined up on both sides of the rampart.
The man was none other than the famous director, K Asif.
In fact, he was deeply immersed in all the micro details related to the shooting. He was personally looking after the costumes and dresses. A Muslim man with a long beard approached him and requested him to give his son a role as a sepoy. Asif sized him up and his body structure, and okayed the new recruit right there as an ‘extra’.
I, just about 16, enjoyed the shooting, especially as the sunny day moved into a romantic dusk. I was crazy about movies. I would make all possible attempts to watch the first show of any new movie which was being released.
If I correctly remember, Mughal-e-Azam was released in 1960. The movie was screened at the Premprakash Talkies in Jaipur. The owner of the cinema hall was Golchaes, who owned the Maratha Mandir in Bombay.
Incidentally, the historical film was released and shown in both the theaters owned by the Golchaes, same day, in Jaipur and Bombay. The Maraha Mandir is near central Bombay.
I managed to purchase three tickets of the first show. Out of the three, I sold two tickets in black, and made some extra money to meet my daily expenses, including tea and snacks during the interval. Hence, I actually paid nothing to watch the movie.
The mesmerizing dance performance of the popular song, with a ‘dance of defiance’, Ishq mein jeena, ishq mein marna, aur hame ab karna kiya… jab pyaar kiya to darna kya, pyaar kiya koi chori nahi ki, chup chup aahein bharna kiya…
The idea of the song’s picturisation was based on this Sheesh Mahal. Once you enter the room, it is illuminated. You will find yourself under the glittering roof, facing four dazzling walls, with thousands of whirling images, as in the song.
I was a kid when I ran away to Bombay from Jaipur to try my luck in Bollywood. I visited a studio in East Andheri. To my utter surprise, I found that the Sheesh Mahal of the film had been preserved for the people. There was a stream of visitors. If my memory doesn’t fail, the studio belonged to legendary filmmaker V Shantaram, who made great films like Do Aankein, Baara Haath, on the cruel prison system in India, and how you can change even hardened criminals with love, patience and compassion.
Having watched the video of the grand celebration, I have become a bit romantic about Times Square in New York. I have been visiting the square since 1985. During my professional tours and personal visits, I have always visited this vintage square.
On one of my visits, I stayed in a hotel that was close to the square. In another memorable visit, I, along with my family, celebrated the farewell eve of the year, and greeted the dawn of a new year, at the Times Square.
So, I @80, am drawn into the evergreen, romantic memories of Mughal-e- Azam. the sight of marshals at the rampart, and beautiful Madhubala’s dance of total defiance against an adamant and arrogant emperor, who denied her the right to love his only son.
In my view, the song is an apt metaphor of defiance and protest against growing authoritarianism across the globe. The organizers of the celebrations have wittingly or unwittingly chosen a prime location for sending out the message of liberal democracy, pluralism, love, passion and fraternity to the
World, ravaged by bloody war, genocide and conflict — from Ukraine to Gaza and Lebanon.
As we know, a court dancer openly challenges the authority of the great Mughal emperor, Mohammad Jalaluddin Akbar, while dancing and admitting her love for Prince Salim, through this addictive and enchanting song. In fact, the dancer symbolizes ordinary folks of the day, and the emperor of medieval India reflects the dictatorial tendencies of certain current regimes in the 21st century.
Besides, I am sure, those hordes of fanatic NRI ‘bhakts’ who throng the meetings of Narendra Modi in America, mostly from Gujarat, (and who love Donald Trump), would have felt intense pangs of angst while watching the Times Square celebrations, which celebrates love between two young Muslim lovers in an epical film. In other words, nafrat ke bazaar me, this was truly a mohabbat ki dukaan, right inside the heart of America.
As we know, election campaign for the American president is presently on, and the fight between Kamala Harris and Trump symbolizes the urge for ‘liberal democracy’ and the rejection of ‘conservative democracy’ — bordering on fascism. Hence, the celebration itself is a timely and fitting response to the challenges thrown up by ‘dying democracies’ in today’s world. Surely, the organizers of the show, deserve a warm salute.
The writer is a seasoned journalist, eminent author and academic based in Delhi.