Mughal-e-Azam: Timeless Masterpiece on stage.

Scene: Jab pyaar kiya toh darna kya?

K. Asif’s Masterpiece – Mughal-e-Azam: the film is now a part of my world through the eyes of Feroz Abbas Khan who directed it on stage. I’ve watched both the play and the movie and very interestingly, they are diverse from each other but the minds of the directors are similar. It is another shimmering universe which is created on stage with live music and super-symmetrical traditional dance. The love saga holds your attention for 150 minutes and keeps you hooked up as to how will the play progress ahead.

I was spellbound the whole time. Everything was appropriate. This play was my first Broadway experience, even though I sat on the very last seat of the auditorium. For me, people sitting ahead of me were also the characters of the play.

I could hear them whispering, the next scene is going to be like this. Anarkali’s just about to say, ‘Kaaton ko murjhaane ka khauf nahi hota’ (Thorns are not scared about withering).

A shot from Mughal-e-Azam

Salimmmm! These were the add-ons that came my way on that day, to understand, how people observe things.

Even though I’m not a part of the world where Mughal-e-Azam was on top of every movie-buffs list. In my world, it is a film which can be studied to learn more about set design and aesthetics, and mirrors used in a film.

And when I was witnessing the play, I could put attention on smallest of the details, like the light coming out of the Jharokas. For me the blend of the two can make Mughal-e-Azam, more beautiful.

Also, I remember that the person who stood at the entry to welcome the audience, was an actor as well as a volunteer. I wished him all the best for his performance. But he said, ‘I’m not the one in lead. You won’t be able to identify me. I’ll be somewhere in the background.’ I said, ‘but without you the show is incomplete. You’re a part of it. You shouldn’t feel that way.’ And the smile on his face was precious, just like Mughal-e-Azam. These are just some encounters of my life. You can follow my journey on www.instagram.com/manankathuria and also subscribe to my mailing list down below for regular updates.

Thank you :')