Original subtitles

I am Hindustan

The Himalayas watch over my borders

The waters of the holy Ganges I have sworn by

Since the beginning of time, darkness and light...

have been my companions

The foundations of marbled monuments that rise from my ashes...

lie embedded in deeper depths than of Earth herself

I was plundered by barbarians and saved by the merciful

The unwise tied me in chains. Those who loved me have freed me

Of those who loved this land, one was Jalal-ud-din Mohammad Akbar

Akbar transcended the barriers of religion and tradition

He taught man to love his fellow man. Thus he embraced this country

This is Emperor Akbar's palace

In this palace live stories of the past

Some four centuries ago, far from this grand palace...

a man walked through the burning sands of the sunswept desert barefoot

This man who walks alone is Emperor Akbar

There is sadness in his eyes, for he has not yet fathered an heir

Akbar is travelling to meet the Holy One, Salimuddin Chisti

He travels in hope that the blessings of the Holy One may beget him an heir

The royal procession follows. But Akbar walks. For he has taken the vow

Finally, the destination is arrived at

The Emperor before whom the world bows to, stands before a mendicant

Seek as one should seek, for God never refuses the faithful

Raise your hands in prayer, and I shall pray with you

O'Emperor of Emperors, Thou hast bestowed upon this humble man...

every blessing that life has to offer

I have heard people call me their emperor

Now, please let me hear the word father

O'Lord of Heaven and Earth, let Akbar not die without an heir

May Jodha be made fertile by His grace

Felicitations! Felicitations to the Emperor

The Lord has blessed the Queen's womb

The Emperor has a son, and the Empire an heir

Allah be praised!

You bring happy tidings to a sad Akbar!

Keep this ring. Keep it with you as a mark of my promise

By the sacred scales of Justice, I swear

Whatever you seek of Akbar, for once in your life...

shall be given

With the passage of time, the prince began to develop certain tastes

Prince...

These scales are not meant for you to play with

Are they for The Emperor to play with? - No. The sacred scales are...

a memorial to Emperor Babar, and they signify Mughal justice

How profound

This is what you have to speak in court. Memorise it

Is this a command? - No, a request

Then I shall try

The Prince became more and more disobedient

And he began to transgress the limits of etiquette and protocol

Take it away, with all due respect

One day, Prince Salim, the heir to the Mughal throne took to drinking

Emperor Akbar realised that a dark future awaited Hindustan

The symbol of Mughal justice shall not be a wayward Prince's plaything

Man Singh

No more for him, the security of his mother's love

Cast him in steel

Take him away. Temper the steel in the desert fires

I entrust you with the future of the Mughal Empire

For a child it's a mother's lap, not the shadow of war

Lord, grant me that my love may shield my son from the enemy swords

The Prince sends his chain of mail from the battlefield

My Salim!

Salim has lived up to my expectations. I am pleased

Salim! My son!

You are the Empress of Hindustan!

No, O'Mighty One. A mother is nothing more than a mother

The frailty of a mother's emotions overcomes Empress Jodha?

That she forgets her status? This I knew not

What political prerogatives that forbid...

a mother to long for a son being bled callously?

Suffer then, but not in tears

Were all mothers whose sons are on the battlefield with yours, to break down...

then Hindustan will be drowned in tears

As much gold as the Prince's chain of mail weighs, be distributed to charity

For 14 years Salim was tempered amidst the storms of battle in the deserts

Why have the Prince's wounds not been dressed yet?

We haven't been given permission to enter

May I beg to be excused?

May the Prince's wounds not be dressed?

Not wounds. These are flowers. Nature rules that flowers shall wilt

Hear this

Not just an assassin' this has a heart too

This is as much a branch of a tree as it is a sword

Surely, this dumb sword is no princess for a romance?

Not merely with the eyes of a soldier do I see this piece of steel

Not that soldier who wields the sword only in bloodletting

Then what is it that the Prince wields?

In my hand, this dancing blade is like a woman in throes, in her lover's arms

Then rises the blood, that spreads in a blush over her face

Poetry, even after fourteen years of bloodletting... strange

There is nothing strange

Were Omar Khayyam's anthology, the Rubaiyat...

to have been etched on stone, not to have been timed for recitation...

would it's meaning be any the less? - No

Then those designs that The Mighty One may have for me, are founded in error

The armour you wore to the victory is to be presented to The Mighty One

Are these years of my bloodied youth not enough?

Not the armour. Rather this story of my life, bloodied and in ashes

And my son shall present this story of your life to The Mighty One

Ride with the despatch

Attention all ye

The Mighty One's foresight has been proved right again

The Prince has emerged victorious again

Does he carry the wounds of battle?

Several. Countless swords he has braved and broken

And every enemy sword proved again and again...

the Prince's valour, and the might of the blood of Akbar

I shall inspect Salim's armour

Instead of the armour, the Prince sends The Mighty One this missive

Read it out. Loudly

Before the Emperor of Hindustan, Jalal-ud-din Mohammad Akbar, I bow

Before You, I present this account...

of every yard of the terrain steeped in Your royal blood

For fourteen years the fires of war that ravaged this land...

sucked from my veins Your blood that these fires took to quench

But Your Salim has still blood left, to bloody the Deccan plateau...

should You so command. In subservience, Your Salim

Allah be praised

From Salim I take heart

Prince Noor-ud-din Mohammed Salim be ordered to march for home

Felicitations to The Mighty One on Prince Salim's return

Felicitations!

Lord, why are you still silent? Just let me see Salim's face

The Emperor has ordered Durjan Singh to bring the Prince back immediately

You are the bearer of news that turns tears to smiles!

Pearls, Bahar! Pearls for your words! - Far too little, Your Majesty

I want the Prince to walk over a carpet of pearls

For Salim, anything!

My son is coming home after years! I shall pray to The Mighty One...

that He lets my son be with me for a few days

His father's politics he has learnt; his mother's love he hasn't known

Tell the courtesans to choreograph a performance beautiful enough...

to make Salim forget the pictures of war

Tell the court musician Tansen to write tunes so dulcet...

to make Salim forget the thunder of cannon

And flowers, Bahar! Flowers for him! And light up the city!

Stars for him to tread upon, and a heaven as far as the eye beholds!

O'everything! Everything I want for him! And everything I cannot say

Lord! Bring me to that moment when I may behold my son before my eyes!

Then for a moment, You too I shall forget

Sculptor

The jewel of the palace in my humble workshop?

I have to choose a sculpture for the Prince

The sculptures I carve, Princes and Emperors cannot appreciate

Why? - For they speak the truth

Behold, the court where every word spoken by The Emperor is law...

against which, there is no appeal

And this, the field of battle

The blood of innocents, for the victory of one man

This is the price of truth

Punishment by death. - Not true, sculptor

May I present to the artiste a rhetoric?

Meaning? - Whereas I appreciate your art...

what art is it that touches not the heart?

What figurine therefore, which fails to woo the vain?

Then at the feet of the idol I sculpt the soldier shall lay down his sword...

Emperors shall lay down their crowns...

and men will carve out their hearts in oblation

What have you done?

The crown is to be presented to the wearer

The hands that crown are others' but the courage is one's own

Bahar, have you no fear that someone might see you?

Fear?

No crown is worn on a head that fears

You wish to become the Empress of this grand empire?

How many girls would be dreaming the same?

Then let them dream

Look at my eyes - Such beautiful eyes!

Like the drunken reveller who jabs his sword at the skies...

are you too aiming for the stars? - Stars do fall out of the skies

For vain princes, one look of the eye is enough

As with death, so also with the hearts of Princes

You can never know when

I wish for it the soonest

Your Majesty, two hours for sunrise. The last pearl for the night

The price may be paid

Shall The Mighty One welcome His son in battle-gear?

Not my son. I go to greet a great soldier of Hindustan

I have not seen Salim grown up. Do not present him to me unannounced

News of the Prince! He has entered the palace

May I be rewarded?

The Emperor welcomed the Prince Himself!

Before he could bow, The Emperor embraced him!

The Prince has crossed the Inner Court. The slaves have sighted him

At every step, he is being showered with flowers

He is firm in his step, as he walks in here

The Emperor has granted permission to the Prince to enter alone

The Prince has arrived

O'joyous world! Or, are my eyes swimming?

Bahar! Hold me!

After so many years! I wonder how he will say Mother?

For me, a new sound!

That word will resound in my ears and it will resonate in my heart

O'heart, miss not a beat!

Mother

Open your eyes, Mother. Look at me. I am here

Salim, you've grown so big!

I was used to seeing you when you were just knee-high

Bend down, Salim. Kneel down

Great soldier, are you?

You bled my blood upon this earth... callously?

Without as much as a thought to what it'd do...

to your mother's heart to see these scars?

Had you remembered your mother in battle...

you would've heard my lullabies through the clangor of swords...

and you'd be as secure as you'd be in your mother's lap

But you never remembered me

Salim, my love!

Bahar, take him away from me!

The heart awaits a glance The foot awaits a step

Who is it that hides from me?

Not hides. Is hidden, Your Highness. - Why?

The sculptor's challenge. When this candle is unveiled...

Shall it be irresistible? Challenges are interesting, sometimes

He claims that at its feet, soldiers shall lay down swords...

Emperors their crowns, and men will carve out their hearts in oblation

The sculptor's claim is much too arrogant for appreciation

I must see how vain art can be

The Mighty One would rather that you didn't see it

Why? - The court astrologer says...

it augurs ill for the Prince to set his eyes on any sculpture...

before the moon has set tonight. The unveiling may be done tomorrow

In the presence of The Mighty One. - The sculptor's challenge...

the astrologer's warning... and this veiled sculpture

How can I wait till daybreak?

The sculptor's claim is correct

Only on stone can be etched so stark a beauty

I must bow before such creativity

The Prince may be accused of idolatry. - And lauded for appreciation of art

Nadira, the sculpture isn't ready yet. You must pose for it tomorrow again

The Prince has seen me. He has expressed his appreciation

There is an ardour veiled in that appreciation

Ardour? Of whom? - You

Attention

The Emperor cometh

Your slave wishes to present a proposition

You may

Stories are told of statues unveiled using the arrow

Interesting proposition

Prince, may stories be made to come true?

As You command, Your Majesty

Great!

An angel from the heavens cast in marble

Not an angel. Human

Who has made you pose for the statue?

One of Your sculptors. He was persistent

But he wishes anonymity

His strange sense of the arts is surely laudable

But that arrow was aimed at you. How come you stood still?

I wanted to see how stories are made to come true

Well spoken, and I laud your courage

Empress, you may take her in as your handmaiden

I name her Anarkali

Tomorrow, we celebrate the birth of Lord Krishna

She will dance

My word

Krishna teased me on the banks of the Jamuna...

Krishna teased me on the banks of Jamuna...

He twisted my delicate wrists

Krishna teased me on the banks of the Jamuna

He cast a pebble at me, and broke my pitcher

He broke my pitcher...

He left me drenched

Krishna teased me on the riverbanks...

With his eyes, he cast a spell; he won my heart

He won my heart

With his eyes, he cast a spell; he won my heart

He won my heart...

My veil he pierced with a mere look

On the riverbanks, Krishna teased me

What is it, Suraiya? - Someone is in love

You are. - You're insane

Who am I in love with? - With the one who's in love with you

Allah! Who is it?

The Prince! - Hush!

Started making commands already? When you become the Empress...

For God's sake, show me not dreams that a slave dares not dream

He is the Crown Prince. The future Emperor of Hindustan

So what? Allah makes Emperors of men, but their Empresses can be anyone

You're naive. Can the earth ever touch the skies?

Then, what do you want to be?

Just a slave. - The Prince's slave

Not again! What if someone hears? - This is love!

If not today, people will come to know tomorrow

I know

Then why be afraid of getting a bad name?

I'm not afraid of getting a bad name. I don't want him to get a bad name

If this is what you believe, you've had it!

Get up, come with me

Where? - To him

His eyes are craving to see you

I cannot face anyone now. Just let me hide in here

Go on, hide. I have the confidence to go and face him

Have you lost your senses?

That is just what I have to ask the Prince

One look at him, and people lose their senses. Why?

To speak my heart before him would amount to transgression

That'd be if neither had he a wish in his heart

But in the state of ardour he's in, will he have any sense of propriety?

What is the matter? Why are you calling Suraiya?

Oh I'm so afraid, Mother!

Why are you here? - I just came...

By whose permission? - By let of my heart

Begone! - I won't

Let her be, Durjan

What do you want? - I wanted to see...

why people lose their senses when they see you

Who says so? - My sister. Nadira

She's out of her mind ever since she saw you

Impertinence!

My name is Suraiya

Does your sister call you by that name?

She used to. - And now?

She has forgotten all else! The only name on her lips is...

Prince

Give your sister this message from me

This could be fraught with danger! - Fall in love, and you will lose fear

What are you so completely lost in?

Letter

What letter? - From the Prince

Allah!

If you pray to Allah, you might get another letter

Take care, it's throbbing

Maybe, it's his heart

Take it

No

You lose no time in giving your heart away. And you lose heart so easily?

I woke up to find Anarkali in my soul

And I was in love

Do you know?

A sadness hangs heavy on my restless heart

Day and night I think of you and my desire

Allah forbid!

He loves me!

Sleepless nights I wake for you

Waiting by the canal

Send me a flower Send me a reply

Let it float down the waters

Forget you, I cannot

Pray, send me a reply

A refusal?

Reason?

Because she's a slave girl. And unfortunately, I'm a Prince

And places may not be traded

But I am human. That too is true

Have you been waiting for me to cross the limits?

Your Highness, in our happiness, we reach out for the stars

But do the stars ever come down to earth?

For I have desired

For God's sake, do not denigrate your status!

You are my master

I... am your slave

This wall that separates you and me, I want to pull down

Sit down, Anarkali

Your Majesty...

Anarkali, look at me

I wish to see the desire in your eyes

No, not my eyes

For I have nothing but the fearful emotions of a slave girl

Then forget that you are a slave. And in your eyes...

let Salim see for himself that which you fear to voice

Do not take away from me, my dreams

It'd kill me!

I'll make these dreams come true

Your Majesty...! - Let them see

Taunts I can live with; not your dishonour

Give me an indication Lord ...what is to become now?

What does this couplet mean?

My heart is slipping out of my hands

Oh, let not my agony poison the lives of everyone

God knows what's come over you. Don't you even feel Ionely?

And he's always asking about you. Get up and come with me

No, I am afraid...

lest my eyes give away...

the secrets in my heart

Nadira, why have you been so depressed of late?

If you stop socialising, people will accuse you of having become vain...

ever since you were named Anarkali by The Emperor

Allah! Would someone so helpless be vain?

Can you stop tongues from wagging? Little do you know palace intrigue

Welcome Bahar

You should take her under your wing. - You mustn't worry

I have come to take her with me. - Take good care of her

Anarkali... your new name is so beautiful

Indeed

As of pretty candles that feed their wax to the flames

Then why fear the firefly?

Fireflies...?

Like me

Maybe you could join me during my performances?

Performance...?

Tonight. It's a recitation contest

Wouldn't it be nice if you were to take a part of the stage?

And the other...? - Me

And... - Which of us wins...

is left to the Prince's discretion

In your court, I will try my destiny

For a few moments, I will see what it means to be close to you

In your court... I will try my destiny too

At your feet, I will lay my head

Spring comes bearing the news of love

After ages, I see hope

After ages, I see hope

I will save myself from the agony...

What fun is a life bereft of any grief?

What fun in shedding tears, without any grief?

I will shed tears in love

In your court, I will try my destiny too

This is what happens to those who fall in love

They suffer in silence... and die a miserable death

I will see this farce and amuse myself

In your court, I will try my destiny too

Love, I concede, ruins your life

But isn't it enough that you are remembered long after you are dead?

I will ruin myself for my love

At your feet, I will lay my head

A few moments, I will spend with you

In your court, I will try my destiny too

To love in secret, to die for love ...the lover's dream

I shall watch it with a smile come the day

Like this flower

And you Anarkali, would rather be in love and be ruined

For what more can one ask for but remembrance, after one is gone

What you get is the thorn

I am fortunate

Thorns live not in fear of wilting

What is it, Man Singh?

Documents relating to Ajmer province. At the disposal of The Mighty One

At my disposal? - Yes

Does Man Singh not know that I have given away the province?

I know, Your Majesty. - Then why the documents?

I am forced to draw Your attention. Unless the mandate is issued...

the province might rise in revolt. - So it has gone this far?

Have you not apprised the Prince of his responsibility?

They were presented to the Prince on several occasions. But...

What is it, Man Singh? - But the reason for his reluctance...

I have failed to fathom. - Then I shall!

Durjan, you will carry my word to the governor of Ajmer

The works are to commence immediately. Tell him that I wish...

to be apprised of the reason for this negligence

I'll tell her that. - And also tell her...

that without her, Salim's life is as dark as the night

And...? - Also that in the wait...

Salim is sinking into oblivion. - And...?

That...

And The Emperor has decreed that the works be commenced immediately

Do you bear animosity towards love? - I bear you goodwill, Your Highness

If you bear goodwill towards others, you might receive letters too

Silence! - I'm Suraiya. You are too forgetful

Sire, I have seen anger in The Emperor's eyes

Unless you stop this dangerous game, the rumours will begin

Sister...

What's wrong with you, Suraiya? - Why don't you look at me?

Why don't you ask me where I've been? - You know it. Your sister is lost

Then stay lost. I don't have the time for running errands for people.

Goodbye

Wait!

Did you meet him? - Yes, I did

What was he saying? - Lost? And yet so mindful?

Get lost. I won't tell you. - If you don't, you're my pallbearer

I met the Prince in the garden. - And then?

Looked like he hadn't slept all night. He smiled. Then he asked me...

how is your sister? - And then?

Then he holds my hands and he asks...

Say Suraiya, she must be as ill as I am...?

What did you say?

I said it!

Then he stepped forward and he kissed my forehead

And then what happened? - He said, tell your sister that...

tonight when Tansen sings, ask her to come to see me

A blush? After that kiss?

Is it because he kissed me there too? - Oh! I forgot

Such a delightful mistake! But he kissed my forehead twice

Someone must be watching!

The intruder shall see me in my chamber

At your command

I rue my fate that the dagger failed to find its mark

Your Highness, do give the dagger one more chance

There is much blood that flows through my bosom

What carries the flame? - Silenced tales of a night past

And some secrets

Which is why, it will be put out as soon as the day breaks

Your Highness!

A secret you too have tried to unravel

And thus shall you be silenced

You may leave

Anarkali (pomegranate blossoms)

The trees in the garden are flowering

Maybe Your Majesty has not noticed

Yes, I have not seen Anarkali in a long while

Her plaintive voice may soothe my laboured mind

Summon her

She cannot. Not at this time. - Reason?

Anarkali shall sit beside Salim as the Empress of Hindustan

Let not the dust at your feet rise to touch your crown

It is done. I can see it

Akbar's Hindustan you shall inherit. - For God's sake!

The fate of the people of Hindustan you shall decide

Wherever you look, a thousand souls will stand in awe

And your mercy they shall seek

The Emperor!

No! You must not commit such trespass before The Emperor! Let me go!

The Emperor cometh

If His Majesty sees me here, Anarkali dies in your arms!

Untrue to love you are, if you live in fear. It's debauchery, it's sin

Out of the way! - I won't!

Where is he?

Who? - Emperor Akbar, at whose command...

life that Allah giveth is snubbed out! - You shall speak in courtesy, Salim

It is not Salim's Anarkali who may suffer death in a despot's dungeon!

I will have his seal on this order of acquittal

Anarkali may not be set free

Why not?

Silence! The Crown Prince may not be oblivious of his duty

What duty calls for stifling the love in one's heart?

To do The Emperor's bidding is your duty

This is no duty! But it surely is punishment of being born of an Emperor

Then this noblesse oblige you shall have to suffer

Then imprison her not, and grant the same to that innocent Anarkali

You've no right to direct my decision. - But over my own life, I have a right

If Anarkali be not acquitted, then tonight augurs dear not for Anarkali...

but for Emperor Akbar and his dreams

I weep for the falsehood of love

I weep for the falsehood of love

I am hurt, I weep

I weep for the falsehood of love

I gave it not another thought...

my desire for you has led to my downfall

I weep for the patronage you extended

I weep for the lies about love

I am hurt, I weep

How was I to know what it would lead to?

That I'd have to hide my love, and yet lead my life

I live, but I weep at my life

I cry for those falsehoods of love

I am hurt, I cry

I cry for those falsehoods of love

Orders. Anarkali is to be produced in court

Surely the darkness of the dungeons has dashed your splendid dreams?

The darkness was far less than the light I carry in my heart dispels

You may suffer worse darkness

And resolve may harden

Resolve may be crushed

The Emperor's justice?

I wish to hear no more

Akbar's word is the law

You must forget Salim

Forget Salim? - Beyond doubt

Not only that. You must convince him that you were never in love with him

I could bring not my tongue to speak of my love to him. How can I refute?

You will have to prove...

that your love was untrue

A slave dreamt of becoming the Empress of Hindustan

And in love she found a pretty alibi. - This is not true!

Allah knows! This is not true!

Not true!

What you have to prove is that this is the truth

Lord!

Grant me such courage...

that I may even betray the Prince

Your slave shall try to obey your command

Not try

You shall abide

Set her free

No one has ever known Emperor Akbar to renege on His verdict

Anarkali's acquittal is a defeat for The Emperor

Not defeat. It's proof that at heart, The Emperor is humane

For the first time, I think of myself not merely as the Crown Prince...

but also as the son of a father who is humane

In Anarkali's acquittal, He has conferred a privilege...

to the woman I love. - Not love, Your Highness

A privilege for deceit

Deceit? Whose?

Ask it of these chains

I ask you

Fragile as she is, your Anarkali could not bear the weight of these chains

She has traded her chains for golden cuffs

What proof?

Anarkali's rewards include a fiefdom

Tonight, she performs in court. After which...

she has agreed to disappear. Forever

The Prince is coming

Leave me alone

You shall stay here

So at last the wax doll melts?

And burns to ashes that false garb of love...

which you wore when you strutted before my eyes?

Anarkali! The one whom just a dark night in the dungeons has consumed

You treacherous slave! Anarkali you are not!

You're a pretender who is masquerading as Anarkali to get out of prison!

You are not my Anarkali! - Yes, I am not your Anarkali

Certainly not! You are Akbar's whore! Not Salim's lover

You were just an illusion I took heart to

You're a shameful blot on my name. To be washed away!

Attention all ye

The Empress of the world

The jewel of the throne of Hindustan

Maharani Jodhabai

The one we are proud of

His Highness, the Crown Prince of the Sultanate

Prince Noor-ud-din Mohammad Salim

Attention! Heed the Badshah

Plenipotentiary of Allah

The Emperor of Emperors, The One of whom the world seeks succour

Jalal-ud-din Mohammad Akbar cometh

It is but once that man falls in love with another

In anguish, he lives...

in anguish, he dies

When we have loved... why should we fear?

We have loved... not committed a theft

We have only loved

We have loved... not committed a theft

Why should we be afraid?

We have loved... why should we fear?

I'll reveal today the secrets that lie in my heart...

I'll reveal today the secrets that lie in my heart

Death is what the world witnesses...

what good is dying a death of sufferance like this?

We have loved... why should we fear?

In desire of him...

I shall burn

For love, I shall live. For love, I shall die

Nothing more is my will

Now that I am in love, why must I fear?

Our love will not remain hidden

Everywhere around us are tales of our love

There is nothing that separates us from God...

why should we create barriers between humans?

We have loved... why should we fear?

We have loved, not committed a theft

Why should we fear?

This fearlessness in love, this audacity...

this novel manner of making your statement...

indeed, all this deserves to be rewarded

My good fortune

Of the magnanimous Plenipotentiary of Allah, such I have expected

Master of the Dungeons

Take this girl away

Cast her in the darkest dungeon

Leave me alone

Your continued presence is proof of your disobedience

Anarkali was arrested... I watched on. - What else could you have done?

What can anyone do before so mighty an emperor?

But today, Allah's Plenipotentiary must own up to vindictiveness

And my aspirations must be respected. - If a slave is what you aspire for...

then you shall be denied. All your life

Did you beget me that You may rule the life that is mine?

That while I breathe, You hold my heart hostage?

Am I to be indebted to You for my life? Am I to pay my debt in tears?

Anarkali is unfit for you

Why not?

Embrace me as a father would his loved son

Behold me with love in Your eyes as You did when You saw me first

Not as the Crown Prince of Hindustan, think of me as your son...

and tell me, is Anarkali unfit for me? - Father I am, of a loved son

But my duty as Emperor I cannot disregard

For no sake of my son's romances, may I play with the fate of my empire

It all changes. With time

Empires change. Emperors change

But in this world of changes, one who has found love wavers not

Change, you will have to!

Salim! You will have to change

A father who wants kings and sultans to bow before his heir...

an Emperor who wants his Crown Prince to crush kingdoms...

that is the father who has seen his heir...

that is the emperor who has seen his Crown Prince...

bow before a slave's beauty. It was as if thunder had struck his hopes

The shock has shaken the very seat of the Mughal empire

Desist, till He has regained composure

Desist I, whose life has been ruined, and desist not he, who thinks...

his fancied regency has been marred? - That is not the case

No! The Mighty One wants to play God! He wants to dictate emotions!

Who cares of consent to fall in love?

Your Highness! Save my Nadira!

Please save my Nadira!

My Nadira! Please save her!

My little girl! She will beat her head upon the dungeon walls till she dies!

If this is the way she has to die, Hindustan is the empire no more!

Hindustan will become the graveyard for the Mughal Sultanate

If the doors open not, then the walls of the dungeon will have to fall

Not the sword. You need a key to open fortified doors

Bahar...! - I have dared

Come on

Where to? - Far away from Akbar's empire

The arrogance mounts! Salim is to be held

Subtitle by PmT

Will you confront The Emperor for the sake of a slave girl?

No! I see in her the pride of Mughals. The Empress of Hindustan

Never! The pride of the Mughals may never be equated to a slave girl

And Hindustan is not your heart for a slave girl to Lord over it

Nor is my heart your Hindustan to rule over

Over your heart, I have no right. But over you, I do have my rights

After all, you are my son. - Yes, your son I am

But you too should consider that I am part of your body

Not some slave

No Salim, no!

You were given to me in answer to my years of prayer

You are my life's treasure. You are my beloved

But this is a matter of the state. Do not drag your mother into this

Do not force me to forget my duty because of my love for you

Have respect for my responsibilities and for your duty too

To Hindustan, you are the Moon! Do nothing to denigrate yourself

Cast Anarkali out of your heart

For the sake of my milk I fed you! - A price for my mother's milk?

No Salim!

Or would you rather...

that I bathe your feet in your milk that runs in my veins as blood?

But ask not for usury

You do not even understand the import of what you speak!

I understand. I seek not one piece of your precious Hindustan

But give me Anarkali. I beg of you

Of Maharani Jodha I seek compassion. Of Emperor Akbar, I seek mercy

Salim! Tears? Those tears are Jodha's and Akbar's life!

Spill not tears from your eyes. Hold your tears

Anarkali, you will have

Never

No heir to Emperor Babar's throne may be disgraced

I decree Salim be sent on the campaign of Deccan

No sad lover, but a soldier be given the sword to carry in battle

Do not endanger the Prince's life. - Death in the battlefield...

is better than life lived in desperate love of a slave girl

Wait

My Salim will not go to war

My decree shall not be swayed by a mother's blind love

But Salim will decide

If You wish to see how an Emperor's decree may be rebuffed...

then give Salim Your dictat

Such scant respect he has for me? - Do not gauge him by his disposition

Let this storm blow over. Salim will change. You'll see

And how to make the storm blow over? - Let him have Anarkali

Once he has Anarkali, Salim will return to us

The obligation of a slave girl to turn my own son around?

For the sake of your son! - A mother can be only a mother

And you are an emperor. Only an emperor

Beyond doubt

Man Singh, so shall it be done

This royal charter decrees...

that the Crown Prince...

Noor ud din Mohammad Salim...

at daybreak tomorrow, leaves the royal palace

and marches for Deccan with the army

Take it away! I am no heir to Emperor Akbar!

Your Highness!

Wait or us at Safdarjung Gate

Your Highness, was that not naive? - Maybe. But I insist

If I be coerced, then I shall refuse to obey

You may not act in naivete. This is no time for being adamant

He is the one who is being adamant. My wounds need to be salved. He knows

And yet he decrees my departure! If he thinks he can coerce me...

he is wrong! - The Emperor will not tolerate...

the Prince's disobedience. The stance may be the excuse for Anarkali's death

This, he cannot do! - This is exactly what he will do

Life for Anarkali lies beyond the bloodbath and the victory

Lead your army

If Anarkali's life be cause for war...

then I shall turn the tide even in the face of death!

But who takes responsibility for Anarkali's safety in my absence?

I do. She lives safe in the shadow of my sword

Durjan, you have but one sword. Emperor Akbar wields a million swords

Then you have a Rajput's word. A million heads will roll

Your Majesty, the sculptor is here

Leave us alone

Sculptor, I am glad that artistes of your prowess thrive in my empire

But the truth is that I face starvation

Not any more

In appreciation of your art

I reward you

In appreciation of the art, this is far too much

But in appreciation of truth, this is far too little

What do you seek? - To spread the truth...

about my art throughout the empire. - You have my permission

My good fortune. My unfinished agenda shall now be completed...

thanks to The Emperor's magnanimity

No, all is not done yet

What you lack in life is a woman

As your reward, I give you the very beauty...

whom you have used to express the beauty of your art

Meaning...?

Tomorrow, you shall wed Anarkali

But Your Majesty...

Is this5s any less a reward? - It is beyond my expectations

I am beholden to The Emperor

You may leave

Such little difference between cruelty and justice that Emperors dispense!

For the bounty that The Emperor bestows upon you...

is this how happy you are? - Happiness is a fool's emotion

I am just joking about the foolishness of the bequeathal

Do you refuse the reward? Do you refuse to obey The Emperor?

Indeed!

The consequences... do you realise?

The truth of my sculpture may yet be borne in my blood

The spirit you have shown in refusing to obey Emperor Akbar, I salute

That salutation is no reward for my spirit

Then, what is it you desire?

I wish to see Anarkali's fate enjoined with yours

A message to The Emperor from the Crown Prince

Read it out

The Emperor of Hindustan, Jalal ud din Mohammad Akbar...

be apprised that I, Crown Prince Noor ud din Mohammad Salim...

hereby declare my independence. I enjoin upon The Emperor...

to accept Anarkali as my consort, the future Empress of Hindustan

The Emperor also be apprised that I am a prince of the dynasty of Tamer

A dynasty of regents who, without recourse to dictat or religion...

chose their consorts. I too reserve the right to choose one of my liking

And this right I am exercising. Should The Emperor disagree...

This is a documentation of the vanity of youth. Read it to the last

I cannot move myself to speak. - The veil of courtesy is lifted

Read on

Read on!

Should The Emperor disagree, then the revolt has begun

The rebellion of this upstart I shall take on

Let the historians add a love-crazed fool to the list of my rebels

Man Singh, we shall fight

I shall ride in battle

Has the Maharani forgotten that she has to say sacrament to my sword?

Your Majesty, the Empress expresses her inability...

to hand over to you the sword that will slay the Prince

Tradition may not be changed. From her only, shall I accept my sword

Always from your hands I have taken the sword...

that has decapitated my rebels

Today too, you shall perform this ritual

You ask me to give you the sword that will kill my son?

Not your son

I seek the sword against the rebel who threatens to kill your husband

Will you not give me the sword to protect myself, for my victory?

I stand not to win. Either way, I lose

On one hand, my husband. On the other, my son

And the choice you shall make right now

Your son, or your husband?

As a Rajput, you epitomise the legacy of women who immolated themselves...

upon the pyres of their dead husbands. Do you hesitate?

You were born a daughter of warriors! Why are your hands shaking?

No hands of one who heartens not to her husband...

can carry the sword of emperors

O'Mighty One!

The mark of the wedded woman that you have wiped from my brow...

you will give back to me with the red of Salim's blood

If the price of my husband's life has to be paid for in my son's blood...

then take this sword, and be happy to kill my son!

Not a word shall I utter!

The call for battle is the cry for his death

Whose death, Your Majesty?

The one so blinded by foolish love, as not to know his father!

This darkness must be dispelled

This pretty serpent that sways between me and Salim, must be fanged

I make an appeal...

my world lies shattered

Show mercy to me, O Lord

Mired in difficulties is life

Have mercy on me, Lord

I need help, Lord... Come to my rescue

I keep no secrets from You

I'm wounded at heart

Have mercy on me, Lord

Dark clouds hover...

there isn't a silver lining

Save me from drowning...

I'm surrounded by storms, life is difficult

Have mercy on me, Lord

I'm plagued with adversity

Have mercy on me, Lord

Open the cell. I have come to take Anarkali

Except death, to none else may we deliver her. The Emperor's orders

And I have to take her out alive. A Rajput has given his word

The army is ready and awaiting The Emperor's arrival

May Allah lead you to victory

May the Regent who loves His subjects, His Motherland and God...

be victorious always

O'Emperor of Emperors, Thou hast bestowed upon this humble man...

every blessing that life has to offer

I have heard people call me their emperor

Now, please let me hear the word father

Are these the hands that prayed?

Man Singh, before the battle commences, I shall go to meet Salim

With all due deference to Your decision...

it is not advisable for The Emperor to enter the rebel's camp alone

But for a father it is possible

Emperor Akbar cometh

Leave us alone

Has The Emperor come to pardon the rebel?

This unfortunate father that the world calls an emperor...

has come to talk to his talk to his son... to ask for his love

You destroy your son's love, and yet you seek his love?

Now the emperor poses as a father?

The Emperor never weeps

These are tears in a father's eyes

Son, before Akbar's principles, your poor father is helpless

Then to Salim too, his love

Son...

Son, love can win hearts. Not battles

Your emotions cannot withstand the relentless onslaught...

of an Emperor's endless might. - That the battle will decide

The Emperor cares not for war to influence his decision

At the sounding of the wardrums...

Anarkali dies

My son...!

So this is the day I begot you for?

If the father's head should roll to please the son...

here stands a father

Your Highness

Has the might of the Emperor overcome a Rajput's promise?

No, Your Highness. A Rajput will give up his life

Not his promise

Anarkali...?

Salim has won without war

There will be no war - There will be war!

My prayers go with you

On the battlefield, may Allah protect you from Akbar's wrath

Anarkali...

That you still live, bodes ill for Salim

Before the swords of Akbar cast the shadow of death over your heads...

before the storm of blood and ash consumes you...

hand Anarkali over

This sword has vanquished the mightiest of warriors...

protects not only Anarkali, but all men who have loved...

all those who refuse to be servile to emperors

Man Singh! Battle begins!

Charge!

Charge!

Kill Anarkali on this very field

Your Highness, Anarkali's life is in danger

With your permission, may I escort her to safety?

The victorious Emperor returns from the battlefield...

to visit Maharani Jodhabai

Is this the mark of the married woman, or is this a mother's woe?

Look at my sword

Not a drop of Salim's blood

This must be the first sword that a mother has embraced!

Take me to Salim

You may not meet him

Why?

His father's sword may have spared him.

But there's more to The Emperor's justice

Accused. Noor ud din Mohammad Salim, son of Jalal ud din Mohammad Akbar...

be presented before the tribunal for sentencing

Attention all ye

The proceedings may begin

Against Noor ud din Mohammad Salim, the accusation lies...

that for the sake of a slave girl, you have brought the Crown to disgrace

You have undermined The Emperor's decree

You have incited a mutiny

You have lured a trustworthy Rajput like Durjan Singh into treachery

You have abducted Anarkali

You have incited a rebellion in the Emperor's armies

You have revolted

All these charges can be retracted

All your transgressions may be pardoned

I can bestow upon you all privileges as before

Provided you return Anarkali. - For You to execute her?

Beyond doubt

Then in all equity, The Emperor shall do so too...

to those disobedient fireflies that fling themselves into the candles...

and the bees that sing so sweetly of love as they fly over flowers...

and stop the rivers for they lose themselves in the embrace of seas

I wish not to hear depositions on love inspired by madness

I want Anarkali

And I do not want to give Anarkali away

Then I swear by the blood of Tamer that runs in my veins...

you will be disowned forever

That I shall accept

But not the throne that sits upon Anarkali's grave

Not the crown that holds my heart hostage

That is unacceptable. - Now I know!

In the fires of your love you wish to melt down the gold in the Mughal crown

To craft of it anklets to adorn the feet of a dancing girl

Upon the sacred throne of Hindustan you wish to see a pretty whore dance

And you...

And you wish to bring your future daughter-in-law to disgrace in court!

Silence!

Try as much as The Emperor will, to veil vendetta for defeat with justice

Anarkali He shall not have!

His son's life, He may have

Justice I hold dearer than my son

Noor ud din Mohammad Salim, you have taken advantage of my magnanimity

And you have refused to present Anarkali in court

Anarkali's sentence is not revoked

In her stead, you...

are sentenced to death

Mercy!

Seek not my sympathy today

What but death can a despot decree?

In the tale of Anarkali's love etched in Salim's blood...

the demise of Akbar, The Emperor will also be told

Leave me alone

What news?

Emperor Akbar has decreed that tomorrow morning...

Prince Salim will die in Anarkali's stead

Till Durjan can wield the sword, death cannot touch the Prince!

Where are you going? - To face Emperor Akbar!

You are wounded. - My body is wounded

Not my spirit! Out of my way!

Do you see fear on your son's face?

Not a shadow

You are my blood. I have faith

I have come to congratulate my son

The brave Rajput is also wedded to death

How I wish all mothers had hearts like Maharani Jodha

Today is the day when Emperor Akbar was defeated, and love triumphed

To you I express my gratitude...

and my respects to the mothers of the martyrs who bore death...

for the sake of truth and love

This is my final message

Stand fast by those in love, not by those who be mighty

Long live the Prince!

On the path of love...

a lover triumphs

Rejoice. Love is martyred

Victory be to love

Victory be to love

Free from slavery to riches, love triumphs

Long live, love

In mosques and temples... Iove is faith

Flowing from Krishna's flute, love is what Allah blesses

Love keeps the world alive

Long live, love

Hatred shall not contain this storm of love

Love shall not be slain by daggers and swords

Lovers are martyred... they are remembered forever

Long live, love

Should love revolt, it could change the world

A raging fire it could cause in mighty palaces...

and overthrow emperors

With their heads held high, they seek no favours

Long live, love

Long live, love

Those who worship power have no faith of their calling

He who worships power has no faith of his calling

A heart bereft of love is made of stone

He whose heart is bereft of love, is not human

Come to your senses, O enemy of love...

lest you are doomed

Long live, love

Long live, love

Long live Man Singh!

Should The Emperor so desire, the Prince may be released

After Anarkali's death

He is alive. He lives

Your Majesty!

The Prince is alive! My felicitations to The Emperor!

You will die

Take this pretty petrel away!

Bury her alive

The word of The Emperor be blessed. May my Prince live forever!

That is all I wish for...

all I wish for

Anarkali, the dying is given one last wish

If you have any wish, you may petition The Emperor

It is beyond The Emperor to give me my wish

I am not so narrow-minded as not to allow the last wish of a slave girl

Speak

Before I die, I wish to become the empress

At last! You have spoken what you had in heart

Even in the shadow of death you have not forgotten...

that golden dream of becoming the Empress of Hindustan

I am a slave. Do not presume that it's my wish, Your Majesty

The Prince promised...

to make me his queen

I do not want him to break his promise

A future Emperor of Hindustan must not be ashamed of failing a slave girl

I shall not let the future Emperor of Hindustan to be ashamed

Man Singh, Salim is to be set free

Before daybreak, you will make sure that Salim inhales...

this flower doused with intoxicants. He must not interfere with your death

He must pass out before the sentries draw you away from him...

and send you to your death

Death is closer than love

So it shall be done

Unless this is done, Salim will not let you die

And I shall not let you live, Anarkali

I died a long time ago

Now please let the coffin pass into my grave

You may go

In return for this act of magnanimity...

this slave absolves you, Jalal ud din Mohammad Akbar...

of the crime of my murder

How will the heartburn ever lessen? How will love ever lessen?

The night is colourful...

what will day be like?

Every couplet sparkles; goblets of joy are drunk

This Spring will be spoken about for ages to come

How much more enchanting could love be?

Such is this colourful night...

what will tomorrow be like?

The mood around here, with the lovers present

Their eyes convey love... their hearts brim with passion

For a few moments spent like this...

why would they even regret death?

Such is the colourful night...

what will day be like?

Such is the state of these lovers...

those issuing edicts aren't going to be spared

Why would they contemplate the consequences...

given the state they are in

A passionate night is in the offing; what is it going to be like

Such is this colourful night... what will day be like?

Why have you done this?

These pretty hands have at last let go of love?

How could you betray me like this?

Do not turn away from Salim, Anarkali. Come to me

Tell me, can you betray me?

Tell me, can you?

No!

Anarkali can betray her on life

Not you

Life...?

Who is it? Who wants to kill you?

No one

Is this why I have been intoxicated? So that you may be taken away from me?

Destiny decrees so

Destiny shall change her decree

Anarkali, I can see those crawling shadows

The cowardly slaves of Emperor Akbar...

they are coming for you! I can see them!

Come out!

Anarkali is mine!

No one takes her away from me!

These heartless knaves...

cannot touch you, Anarkali!

My love, come...

You knaves!

Knaves!

Anarkali...

Salim loves you!

Comes dawn, bearing death...

like someone snuffing out life

May God be your Saviour

May God be your Protector

This is my prayer

Your world, I leave

Accept my farewell

When they take away my bier soon...

do not be one of those who carry it

When they take away my bier soon...

do not lend it a shoulder

May our love never be disgraced

This is what I pray for

This is what I tearfully pray for

May God be your Saviour

This is all I pray for

My child!

Nadira...!

By the sacred scales of Justice, I swear

Whatever you seek of Akbar, for once in your life...

shall be given

The Emperor!

The Emperor!

Where is The Emperor?

What do you want?

Life. For my daughter

Has hope blinded you?

Do you not know my law?

Do you recognise this, Your Majesty? Remember...?

You promised me that I may have one wish

I seek Anarkali's life

I remember nothing. - You remember nothing?

But The Emperor never reneges on his promise

I told you! I remember nothing!

You may forget your promise

But that Emperor of emperors who has made you an emperor...

He shall never forget!

On the day of judgement, you shall be accused

And I shall have justice!

Take her away!

My child! Emperor, my child!

Seek what you will

The Emperor has reneged on his promise. What else is there to seek?

Look

My child!

Your Majesty, I am grateful!

Listen...

This tunnel will take you past the border of the Mughal empire

That Anarkali is alive is a secret. You will have to keep it a secret

Salim must know that his Anarkali is dead

So it shall be

The Emperor has done justice by letting her live

Anarkali, pay your obeisances

Till such time that this world is, you will live as love lives

And the Mughals will remember this favour you have done

Unto the dynasty of Babur and Humayun, you have granted a fresh lease of life

But I...

I can offer you nothing but a life of anonymity

I am helpless

By God, I am no enemy of love

But of my principles I am a slave

Consider the helplessness of the slave...

and you might yet forgive me

Anarkali, The Emperor has expressed his gratitude!

Take her away

Emperor Jalal ud din Mohammad Akbar pardoned Anarkali

He took the blame for being cruel and merciless

I stand testimony of the justice of this ruler...

the one whom the world remembers as Mughal-e-Azam