Shapoorji Pallonji Group commemorates 60 glorious
years of Mughal-e-Azam
Mughal-e-Azam,
an iconic Indian period film, commemorates 60 momentous years since its release
on the 5th August, 1960. The multiple award-winning historical saga,
celebrated for one of the finest performances in Indian cinema, was directed by
talented filmmaker K. Asif and produced by Shapoorji Pallonji Group.
The project faced
multiple hurdles during its making, forcing its temporary abandonment. The
political tensions and communal rioting surrounding India's partition in 1947
stalled the film's first version. Shiraz Ali, the producer, migrated to
Pakistan. In the 1950s, Mr. Shapoorji Pallonji Mistry salvaged the film and
came onboard to produce the film, despite no knowledge about film production.
Mr. Shapoorji Pallonji had an inclination towards history, and hence wanted to
create a landmark historical film. The film cost Rs. 1.5 crores in 1960, ten
times the cost of an average film in those days. Shoot commenced in the early
50s with the production canvas involving war scenes with 2,000 camels,
4,000 horses and 8,000 Indian military men.
Mughal-e-Azam was
the first black-and-white Hindi film to be digitally coloured and the first to
be given a theatrical re-release. Shapoorji Pallonji’s grandson, Mr. Shapoor
Pallonji Mistry, the present Chairman of the group, undertook the restoration
and colourization of Mughal-e-Azam, originally only 15% shot in colour.
Original music composer Naushad Ali recreated the six track surround sound
version for the colour release. In 2004, the colour version of the film was
re-released and it was also a complete commercial success.
On this occasion,
Mr. Deepesh Salgia, creative visionary of Mughal-e-Azam who also holds a
position as the CEO and Director at Grandview Estates Pvt. Ltd. (A part of
Shapoorji Pallonji group) states, “We are proud to continue the legacy of the
group by commemorating the movie’s 60 years. Mughal-E-Azam is India’s finest
artwork and has created new benchmarks in cinema as well as in theatre
production. The Shapoorji Pallonji Group takes this opportunity to thank
Director K. Asif, and legendary actors Prithviraj Kapoor, Dilip Kumar,
Madhubala and the Creative & Technical teams of the original version, the
colour version and the musical play. Their immense contribution makes this work
of art relevant even today, after 60 years of its release. The Shapoorji
Pallonji Group is proud of the love and appreciation the movie has received.”
In 2016,
Shapoorji Pallonji Group produced the theatrical version of the film, Mughal-e-Azam; the Play directed by
Feroz Abbas Khan. The musical play has also run to packed houses across Asia.
Till date, the musical play has had 180 performances across eight Asian cities.
It has won seven Broadway India world awards.
The Mughal-e-Azam
film was itself a remake of the theatrical play ‘Anarkali’, written by Imtiaz
Ali Taj. The popular epic love saga is remembered for its tragic love story
between the Mughal prince Salim and court dancer Anarkali.
No comments:
Post a Comment