| File:Anarkali (1966).jpg
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| Directed by | Kunchacko |
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| Written by | Vaikom Chandrasekharan Nair |
| Produced by | Kunchacko |
| Starring | Prem Nazir K. R. Vijaya Sathyan Thikkurissy Ambika Sukumaran Rajasree Kottarakkara Sreedharan Nair
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| Edited by | S. P. S. Veerappan |
| Music by | Baburaj
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| Country | India |
| Language | Malayalam
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Anarkali is a 1966 Malayalam romance film based on the historical love story between Prince Salim and Anarkali. Directed and produced by Kunchacko, the film was a direct adaptation of the 1953 Hindi film of the same name.[1] The film stars Prem Nazir and K. R. Vijaya in the lead, with Sathyan, Thikkurissy, Ambika and Kottarakkara Sreedharan Nair playing other major roles.[1]
Plot
Prince Salim falls in love with Anarkali, a courtesan in his father Akbar's kingdom. Akbar forbids Salim to prolong this affair as he wants his son to marry a Rajput princess and thereby strengthen communal harmony. But Salim becomes blind in his love for Anarkali, leading to a struggle between father and his adamant son. All of Akbar and Minister Man Singh's attempts to separate the lovers fail.
Salim and Akbar have a serious argument, which goes to the extent of Salim leading a campaign against his father. Salim is defeated in the ensuing war and is sentenced to death. Empress Jodhabai begs Akbar to spare the life of their son, but he does not accede to her request. Anarkali is sentenced to be buried alive. Salim escapes from the jail and rushes to save Anarkali from the punishment. But before he reaches the burial ground, Anarkali's punishment is carried out.
Cast
- Prem Nazir as Prince Salim
- K. R. Vijaya as Anarkali / Nadira
- Sathyan as Akbar
- Thikkurissy as Jaya Singhan
- Ambika Sukumaran as Jodhabai
- Kottarakkara Sreedharan Nair as Mana Singhan
- Rajasree (Gracy) as Gulnar
- Adoor Bhasi as Karim
- S. P. Pillai as Kasim
- Alummoodan (debut) as Afghani warrior
- Philomina as Anaarkkali's Mother
- Manavalan Joseph as Slave Trader
- K. J. Yesudas as Tansen
- L. P. R. Varma as Court Singer
The film's cast includes playback singer K. J. Yesudas and music director L. P. R. Varma playing small roles. Yesudas played Tansen, who was a pioneer in Indian music and one of Akbar's Navaratnas. In a scene, Yesudas lip-syncs a song which was sung by P. B. Sreenivas.[1]
Historical inaccuracies
- The film was completely shot from Kunchacko's Udaya Studio and failed in setting the Moghul era on screen.[1]
- Akbar's wife Mariam-uz-Zamani is called Jodhabai in the film. Though she has been also referred to by this name in modern times, she was never known as such during her lifetime.[2]
Soundtrack
The music was composed by M. S. Baburaj and the lyrics were written by Vayalar Ramavarma.[3][4]
| No. | Song | Singers | Lyrics | Length (m:ss) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Aruthe Aruthe" | L. R. Eeswari | Vayalar Ramavarma | |
| 2 | "Baashpakudeerame" | P. Susheela | Vayalar Ramavarma | |
| 3 | "Chakravarthikumaaraa" | L. R. Eeswari | Vayalar Ramavarma | |
| 4 | "Ee Raathrithan Vijanathayil" | P. Susheela | Vayalar Ramavarma | |
| 5 | "Ezhu Chirakulla Theru" | P. Susheela | Vayalar Ramavarma | |
| 6 | "Maathalapoove" | P. Susheela | Vayalar Ramavarma | |
| 7 | "Mukilasimhame" | P. Susheela | Vayalar Ramavarma | |
| 8 | "Nadikalil Sundari" | K. J. Yesudas, B. Vasantha | Vayalar Ramavarma | |
| 9 | "Pranayaganam" | P. Susheela | Vayalar Ramavarma | |
| 10 | "Sapthaswarasudhaa" | P. B. Sreenivas, M. Balamuralikrishna | Vayalar Ramavarma | |
| 11 | "Thaalathil Mugdha" | K. J. Yesudas | Vayalar Ramavarma | |
| 12 | "Vidarumo" | P. Susheela | Vayalar Ramavarma |
See also
- Mughal-e-Azam, a Bollywood adaptation of Prince Salim-Anarkali story