Actress Saira Banu has recalled the craze and hype around her husband Dilip Kumar’s 1960 film Mughal-E-Azam, saying that industry people received “Shahi Farmaan” and fans slept outside theatres with “boriya bistar” to catch the first show.
In a long note on Instagram, Saira lauded filmmaker K. Asif’s vision and his dedication to “put together an enthralling epic full of romance and spectacle such as never witnessed on the Indian screen”. She further recalled that she had landed in India after a trip abroad and received a silver-encased “Shahi Farmaan” for the Mughal-E-Azam premiere along with others from the industry.
“There was cacophony all around and terrific excitement within the Film Industry and the avidly eager masses to eventually have the gift of witnessing this thrilling and spectacular romance between Prince Salim, the Emperor’s Son who falls in love with the most beautiful courtesan Anarkali even though this liaison is strongly vetoed by Shahenshah Akbar who decides to break them apart,” the actress wrote on Monday.
The Bollywood veteran also said the “aura and splendour” of Mughal-E-Azam was so intense that fans had brought their own beds to sleep on the pavements right outside popular Mumbai theatre Maratha Mandir for the first show. The reels of the film were carried by bejewelled elephants, she revealed.
Saira mentioned that she had been in love with Dilip Kumar ever since was young. As a die-hard fan of the actor, Saira thought the Mughal-E-Azam premiere would be the best opportunity to see him and make her dreams of being his love come true.
“I spent 6 Days in oiling and washing my very long tresses standing in the sun to get that glow on my hair and skin. I filed and re-filed my long nails, putting on every nail-polish that he would like Pearl, Pink and Ruby. People from above the flat would gaze down to the Balcony where I stood and share all my capers, amongst which were Apa Sayeeda (Sister of Actress Waheeda Rehman ji) who would meet me in the Lift and admire my long hair, my nails and tell me that she loved the way I was looking,” she signed off, saying that she will reveal how she prepared to meet Dilip in another post.
Starring Dilip Kumar and Madhubala in lead roles, Mughal-E-Azam follows the story of an intense romance between Prince Salim and courtesan Anarkali. Their love faces staunch opposition from the Emperor Akbar, leading to a tragic and gripping tale of forbidden love, loyalty and sacrifice. The period drama became the highest-grossing Indian film ever for 15 straight years since its premiere in 1960.
