Akbar Salim Anarkali

Akbar Salim Anarkali
File:Akbar Salim Anarkali.jpg Theatrical release poster
Directed by	N. T. Rama Rao
Produced by	N. T. Rama Rao
Written by	C. Narayana Reddy (dialogues)
Screenplay by	N. T. Rama Rao
Story by	N. T. Rama Rao
Starring	N. T. Rama Rao Nandamuri Balakrishna Deepa
Music by	C. Ramchandra
Cinematography	Kannappa
Edited by	G. D. Joshi
Production company	Ramakrishna Studios
Release date	9 May 1979 (1979-05-09)
Running time	134 minutes
Country	India
Language	Telugu

Akbar Salim Anarkali is a 1979 Indian Telugu-language historical romance film produced & directed by N. T. Rama Rao under his Ramakrishna Cine Studios banner. It stars N. T. Rama Rao, Nandamuri Balakrishna, Deepa, with music composed by C. Ramchandra. The film is remake of the Bollywood epic Mughal E Azam.

Plot

Akbar, who does not have a male heir, undertakes a pilgrimage to a shrine to pray that his wife Jodha give birth to a son. Later, Tansen the singer in his court, brings the emperor news of his son's birth. Overjoyed at his prayers being answered Akbar gives Tansen his ring and promises to grant him anything he desires. Here, Salim grows as a spoiled-brat, flippant and self-indulgent. So, Akbar sends him off to war, to teach him courage and discipline. After 14 years, Prince Salim returns as a distinguished soldier and falls in love with court-dancer Nadira, whom the emperor bestows on her the title Anarkali (Deepa), meaning "pomegranate blossom". Knowing it, Gulnar, another dancer of a higher rank, envies as she too aspires to possess the prince's love but fails. So, she uncovers their forbidden relationship to the Emperor. At present, Salim pleads with his father for acceptance for their espousal, but he refuses and imprisons her.

Right now, Salim rebels and amasses an army to confront Akbar to rescue Anarkali. Defeated Salim is sentenced to death by his father but is told that the sentence will be revoked if Anarkali, now in hiding, is handed over to die in his place. Anarkali gives herself up to save the prince's life and is condemned to death by being entombed alive. Before her sentence is carried out, she begs to have a few hours with Salim as his make-believe wife. Her request is granted, as she has agreed to drug Salim so that he cannot interfere with her entombment. As Anarkali is being walled up, Akbar is reminded that he still owes Tansen favor, as it was he who brought him news of Salim's birth. He pleads for her Anarkali's life. The emperor has a change of opinion, but although he wants to release Anarkali he cannot, because of his duty to his country. He, therefore, arranges for her secret escape into exile with Tansen but demands that the pair are to live in obscurity and that Salim is never to know that Anarkali is still alive.

Cast

• N. T. Rama Rao as Akbar
• Jamuna as Jodha
• Nandamuri Balakrishna as Salim
• Deepa as Anarkali
• Gummadi as Tansen
• Sridhar
• Madhavi as Gulnar
• P. J. Sarma
• Chalapathi Rao

Soundtrack

Akbar Salim Anarkali
Film score by C. Ramchandra
Released	1979
Genre	Soundtrack
Length	44:04
Label	EMI COLUMBIA
Producer	C. Ramchandra

Music composed by C. Ramchandra. Lyrics was written by C. Narayana Reddy. Music released on EMI COLUMBIA Audio Company.

No.	Title	Singer(s)	Length
1.	"Sipaayee O Sipaayee"	Mohammad Rafi, P. Susheela	4:46
2.	"Kalusukunnaa Gubulaaye"	Mohammad Rafi, P. Susheela	4:39
3.	"Madhana Mohanude"	P. Susheela	5:10
4.	"Premisthe Thappantaaraa"	P. Susheela	5:00
5.	"Reyi Aagiponi"	Mohammad Rafi, P. Susheela	5:56
6.	"Thaane Maeli Musugu"	Mohammad Rafi, P. Susheela	5:02
7.	"Thaaralenthagaa"	Mohammad Rafi	4:41
8.	"Vela Yerigina"	P. Susheela, Vani Jayaram	8:51
Total length:			44:04