The film is a re-telling of a popular Indian tale, 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 Jahangir. In the movie, the great conqueror Akbar (played by Prithviraj Kapoor) and his Rajput wife, Jodhabai (played by Durga Khote) have but one son, a weak and pleasure-loving prince named Salim (Dilip Kumar). Salim falls in love with Anarkali (Madhubala), a slave and court-dancer. He wants to marry her; his father objects, and throws Anarkali into prison. Anarkali refuses to reject Salim. Salim revolts against his father, is beaten in battle, and sentenced to death. Anarkali buys his life with her own and is condemned to be walled up alive. However, the emperor relents at the last moment.[/b]
