The iconic Bollywood film ‘Mughal-E-Azam’, with its timeless romance, and unforgettable performances has etched itself into the memoirs of Indian cinema. To create a remake would be a bold endeavor that would require not just stellar acting, but also the courage to step into legendary shoes. Well, a renowned south producer dared to dream big, proposing a casting coup that would rewrite history. The Bachchan family—Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan, and Aishwarya Rai—was at the center of this ambitious vision.
In a recent revelation to Bollywood Thikana, filmmaker Mehul Kumar recounted the intriguing phone call where the south producer dialed Mehul’s number. “We want to remake Mughal-E-Azam,” he declared, “and we want the Bachchans to lead the charge.” Amitabh Bachchan as Emperor Akbar, Jaya Bachchan as Jodha Bai, Abhishek Bachchan as Salim, and Aishwarya Rai as Anarkali.
The set’s construction alone cost over Rs1 crore, a staggering amount at the time, surpassing the budget of most Hindi films.
The set was massive, measuring 150 feet in length, 80 feet in breadth, and 35 feet in height, and took two years to complete, as per DNA’s report.
Music director Naushad and lyricist Shakeel Badayuni were highly meticulous in crafting the song.
It took Badayuni 105 revisions of the lyrics before Naushad approved the final version.
Moreover, in an era where modern sound effects like echo weren’t readily available, Naushad had Lata Mangeshkar sing the song in a studio bathroom to achieve the desired echo effect.
On the 64th anniversary of the release of the iconic film Mughal-e-Azam, veteran actress Saira Banu shared a heartfelt post, recounting the grandeur and excitement surrounding the film’s premiere. The epic historical romance, directed by K. Asif, remains one of the most celebrated films in Indian cinema. Saira Banu’s vivid memories transport us back to an era of cinematic splendour and personal dreams.
