“Does the Prince have a right to choose a slave girl as his princess when his father is the Emperor of India ?” is the dilemma the play addresses amidst music, dance, drama and war sequences.

The story line : Emperor Akbar’s desire for a son is fulfilled when his wife, Jodhabai gives birth to Salim who grows up to be a spoiled, flippant and disrespectful teen. Consequently, his father sends him to the battlefield and war to teach him courage and discipline. Fourteen years later, he returns home as a distinguished soldier. Salim, now a young man, falls in love with Anarkali, a lowly courtesan.

Bahaar, a dancer who covets the love of the prince, is consumed with jealousy upon discovering the secret love affair of Salim and Anarkali, and exposes it to Akbar. The emperor, full of royal pride, vehemently disapproves of the relationship and imprisons Anarkali, which leads Salim to declare an open rebellion and goes to war against his own father. This defiance and uncompromising love, threatens the existence and future of the India.

The play is based on K Asif’s classic film Mughal-e-Azam ( 1960, starring Prithviraj Kapoor, Madhubala & Dilip Kumar). The songs from film are performed live during the play. The original love story of Salim and Anarkali was penned by Syed Imtiaz Ali Taj in 1922.

In 1950s, the film took nine years the making during which the colour technology arrived in India. So, the 1960 film was 15% in color and 85% in B&W. K Asif died in 1971. His wish to see the entire film in color was fulfilled in 2004 by the original producers – Shapoorji Pallonji. The color version (Design and Direction : Deepesh Salgia) also proved blockbuster and ran for over 25 weeks in cinema halls. Shapoorji Pallonji produced the Broadway style musical play Mughal-e-Azam in 2016 (Directed by Feroz Abbas Khan).

Besides being the most expensive and the all-time biggest grosser of Indian cinema (inflation adjusted), the film created new benchmark in Indian cinema in all aspects of film making – Screenplay, Production Design, Direction, Music, Dialogue, Performances, Cinematography et al.

Such has been the impact of this film that year-on-year the film experienced house full shows during its re-release until 1990s when audiences moved to Satellite and Cable TV to enjoy Mughal-e-Azam. The colour version (2004) and the musical (2016) also proved blockbusters, even when the audience comprised of a completely new generation.

Besides the above, the legendary love story of Salim and Anarkali has been enjoyed by audiences as a silent film, as a radio play and as talkie film by other makers.

Mughal-e-Azam is the first Broadway style musical from India and till date the most expensive theatre production from India. There are about 100 members of the cast and crew.

Yes. All performers are coming from India. It is the same team that has been performing in India.

The core of dances in Mughal-e-Azam is Kathak. The Kathak is a story telling dance form and is more than 2000 years old. The term “Kathak” comes from “Kathaa” meaning story. Kathak reached a new high during the Mughal era when the emperors were great patrons of various art forms.

Mayuri Upadhyay, the choreographer has weaved in moments of dramatic flair in the choreography. The dance forms portray wide variety, from Raasleela for ‘Mohe Panghat Pe’ which is a celebration of the birth of Lord Krishna to the iconic ‘Pyar Kiya toh Darna Kya’ which is Anarkali’s ode to boundless love that could not be crushed by Akbar’s ego.

The dancers were provided training in body conditioning, Abhinaya, nuanced Kathak and then choreography. Typically, dancers would go six to eight hours straight perfecting their craft. The dancers were taught sequences and every sequence underwent trial. Gauri Diwakar has provided the Kathak expertise.

The designs had to speak of grandeur, glory and the extravagance of the Mughal period. They carry forward the legacy of original characters. Manish Malhotra has provided a signature sheen to illuminate the grandiosity.

There were layers of vintage fabric, whether it be silk, kota, zardosi embroidery, brocades, bandini, or velvet, everything is pure and rich in the display. The use pure fabrics and intricate embroideries provide an extremely rich feel.

When in 1940s, the legendary filmmaker 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, came in Shapoorji Pallonji and produced Mughal-e-Azam (1960) to support the cause of Indian art and culture. Later in 2004, Shapoorji continued its agenda and fulfilled the wish of K Asif, by releasing the colourised version of the film (Design and Direction : Deepesh Salgia) which too proved a blockbuster. In 2016, Shapoorji Pallonji produced the musical play Mughal-e-Azam (Directed by Feroz Abbas Khan, Creative & Strategic Vision : Deepesh Salgia)

Besides the above, Shapoorji Pallonji Group has no stakes in Entertainment business. This $ 4 billion Mumbai headquartered conglomerate has interests in Engineering & 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 Luxury Skysrapers to Mass Housing, Shapoorji Pallonji’s work dominate skyline of several Asian and African nations.

Feroz Abbas Khan is recognised as much for exploring new forms, 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 Amrit (Shabana Azmi & Farouque Shaikh), Saalgirah (Anupam & Kirron Kher), Mahatma V/S Gandhi (Naseeruddin Shah & Kay Kay Menon), Salesman Ramlal (Satish Kaushik and Seema Biswas), Kuch Bhi Ho sakta (Anupam Kher), Dinner With Friends (Perizad Zorabian & others).

His film ‘Gandhi- My Father’ Feroz won Several National and International Awards. Dekh Tamasha Dekh, is a social and political satirical film, based on a true story.