Watch Anarkali

Anarkali is a 1953 Indian film directed by Nandlal Jaswantlal and starring Bina Rai, Pradeep Kumar, and Kuldip Kaur. The film is based on the legendary love story of Prince Salim and Anarkali, a courtesan in the court of Emperor Akbar. The movie opens with the introduction of the young Prince Salim, who is sent by Akbar to a gurukul for his education. Here, Salim meets the beautiful and talented Anarkali, who is also a student at the gurukul. The two fall in love, much to the disapproval of Akbar, who has already chosen a bride for his son.

As the story unfolds, we see the passionate love between Salim and Anarkali, and the various obstacles they face in order to be together. Akbar tries to separate them by arranging Salim's marriage to a noblewoman, but Salim refuses and instead goes into hiding with Anarkali. As the situation becomes more complicated, Anarkali is captured and sentenced to death by Akbar for daring to love Salim.

The film is beautifully shot, with lavish sets and costumes that transport the viewer back to the Mughal era. The acting is also superb, with Bina Rai giving a standout performance as Anarkali. Her portrayal of the courtesan is both graceful and passionate, and she captures the character's spirit and determination in the face of adversity.

Pradeep Kumar is also impressive as Salim, portraying the prince's conflicted emotions with sensitivity and depth. His chemistry with Bina Rai is electric, and the two make a convincing and compelling couple.

Kuldip Kaur plays Akbar's wife, Jodha, who is sympathetic to the plight of the young lovers and tries to intervene on their behalf. She gives a nuanced and sensitive performance, adding depth to a character that could have easily been one-dimensional.

The music of the film is also a highlight, with legendary composer Naushad creating a beautiful score that perfectly captures the mood and emotions of the story. The most famous song of the film is "Yeh Zindagi Usi Ki Hai", which has become a classic in Indian film history.

Overall, Anarkali is a cinematic masterpiece that tells a timeless story of love and sacrifice. The film's themes of love transcending social boundaries and the struggle against oppressive authority are still relevant today, and the movie remains a classic of Indian cinema.

Anarkali is a 1953 history movie with a runtime of 2 hours and 28 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.2.