Mughal E Azam Part 1

The film re-tells a popular Indian tale, which was previously filmed as Loves of a Mughal Prince (1928) and Anarkali (1953). It is loosely based on an episode in the life of the Mughal Prince Salim, who went on to become the Emperor Jahangir (r. 1608 - 1627). In the movie, the great conqueror Akbar (played by Prithviraj Kapoor) and his Rajput wife, Jodha Bai (played by Durga Khote) pray to have a son. Akbar himself offers rituals, so that he may have a successor. The news of the son's birth is brought to Emperor Akbar by Anarkali's mother, a maid. Overjoyed at his prayers being answered, the Emperor gives to the maid his ring and promises to grant her any wish she asks.

The son, Salim, grows up to be a the weak and pleasure-loving prince, played by Dilip Kumar. Salim falls in love with Anarkali (Madhubala), a court-dancer. He wants to marry her and arranges secret meetings between Anarkali and himself. However, the jealous Bahaar, a dancer of a higher rank, wants the crown of India and she attempts to make the prince love her so she may ascend to queenship. She exposes the love between the prince and the dancer. Salim pleads for Anarkali's hand, but his father objects and throws Anarkali into prison. Despite imprisonment, Anarkali refuses to reject Salim.

Salim rebels against his father, is defeated in battle, and is sentenced to death. Before his sentencing, Akbar's subjects spontaneously erupt into a gathering and plead before the Emperor to not kill his only son, and the Empire's only prince. Anarkali too pleads for his life in exchange for her own, and is condemned to death by walling up alive. However, it is revealed to Akbar that he owed a favor to Anarkali's mother, since she informed him of the birth of his son. Anarkali's mother takes advantage of this, and begs for her daughter's life. The emperor relents, and arranges for Anarkali's secret escape into exile. Unfortunately, it is still announced that Anarkali was killed, and Salim is heartbroken.