Mughal-e-Azam: An eternal metaphor for love and defiance

Time of India

4 days ago

Syed Hassan Kazim works with The Times of India. He holds a degree in English Journalism from IIMC, Delhi, and a master's in Peace Building and Conflict Analysis from Jamia Millia Islamia University, New Delhi. His interests lie in international and national politics, as well as human interest and societal issues. LESS ... MORE
Mughal-e-Azam is not merely cinematic history; it serves as a bold reminder to always speak truth to power, regardless of the age or era.
More than six decades since its release, the Dilip Kumar, Madhubala, and Prithviraj Kapoor-starring Bollywood magnum opus Mughal-e-Azam remains an unmatchable piece of Indian cinema—not only for its performances but also for the clarity of thought it presents and the lesson towards moral courage. At the heart of this 1960 epic lies a rebellious love story and a heroine whose revolutionary defiance becomes more relevant over time.
To speak of Mughal-e-Azam is to talk of Dilip Kumar, the thespian at the height of his cinematic life. His performance as Salim was groundbreaking and a landmark. His conscience-rattling dialogues have echoed across generations. 'Jahaanpanah, agar Anarkali ko deewaron mein chunwaya gaya, to Hindustan ek azeem maqbara ban jaayega' is not just a cinematic punch; it is a moral indictment.
But perhaps the soul of the film is the most iconic song: Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya. It's a call for rebellion as well. The scene is drenched in grandeur, but what lingers is the voice of rebellion. Madhubala's Anarkali, stepping out in defiance, sings not just of love—but of protest.
'Maut wahi jo duniya dekhe, ghut ghut ke yun marna kya' is a call against human suffering. A call to make oppression visible. It asks the people to reject and confront tyranny with one's head held high; that means a defiant 'No' to humiliation.
The climax of the song, 'Parda nahin jab koi Khuda se, bandon se parda karna kya', is an eternal truth. When the Creator, no matter in which language or through which faith He is called, knows our convictions, then why fear the public? Why fear the world around? When it's justice we care for, then why be shy? It's not just Anarkali's challenge to Emperor Akbar; it's a challenge to every hierarchical structure that silences the weak and oppresses the dispossessed.
In today's world, where the powerful often seek to control the narrative and those having a voice are vilified, Mughal-e-Azam reminds us of the cost—and necessity—of courage. It reminds us that to love, to dissent, and to resist injustice is to be deeply human as the Argentinian-born Cuban revolutionary Ernesto Che Guevara said, 'At the risk of seeming ridiculous, let me say that the true revolutionary is guided by a great feeling of love. It is impossible to think of a genuine revolutionary lacking this quality.'
And so, when Dilip Kumar says, 'Qaid khane ki woh andheri raat sirf Anarkali par hi nahi, Akbar-e-Azam ke tamaam mansoobon par bhaari guzregi,' he talks about how plans built on arrogance and control, no matter how grand, will ultimately falter before the moral force of truth.
Mughal-e-Azam is a political and emotional blueprint that shows a mirror to society. It's a lesson for the lovers who resist, who know the worth of their dignity, and are firm in their conviction to rise—no matter the cost.
In a world that still forces too many to live on their knees, this film stands tall—a monument to those who choose to die on their feet.
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Views expressed above are the author's own.