Anarkali (1958 film)

Anarkali is a 1958 Pakistani historical drama film, directed by Anwar Kamal Pasha and starring Noor Jehan and Sudhir in lead roles. Based on the Urdu play of the same name by Imtiaz Ali Taj, the screenplay is written by Qamar Ajnalvi. The film revolves around the love of Jahangir for a slave girl Anarkali which creates a serious conflict between Prince Jahangir and his father, Mughal emperor Akbar. The film was released on 4 June 1958 and its performance was 'average' at the Box Office.

Anarkali
Directed byAnwar Kamal Pasha
Screenplay byQamar Ajnalvi
Story byImtiaz Ali Taj
Based onAnārkalī
by Imtiaz Ali Taj
Produced byMukhtar Ahmed
Starring
Music by
Production
company
Nigar Pictures
Release date
4 June 1958 (1958-06-04)
Running time
~ 2 hours
CountryPakistan
LanguageUrdu

Made with a budget of high production, the film is usually compared with the landmark Bollywood film, Mughal-e-Azam which was also based on the same play. Film was praised for its music which was composed by Master Inayat Hussain and Rashid Attre.[1] At Nigar Awards ceremony in 1958, it won two awards; Best Lyricist for Qateel Shifai and Best Playback Singer for Noor Jehan.

Cast

Soundtrack
Anarkali
No.TitleLyricsMusicSinger (s)[2][5]Length
1."Sadaa Hoon Apney Pyar Ki[1]"Qateel ShifaiRashid AttreNoor Jehan 
2."Jaltey Haeen Armaan Mera Dil Rota Hai"Tanvir NaqviRashid AttreNoor Jehan 
3."Kahan Tak Suno Gey Kahan Tak Sunaoon"Tanvir NaqviRashid AttreNoor Jehan 
4."O Beewafa Hum Na Bhooley Tujhey"Saifuddin SaifMaster Inayat HussainNoor Jehan 
5."Phir Jo Nigah-e-Yar Kahe"Qateel ShifaiMaster Inayat Hussain  

Release

The film released on 4 June 1958. Its performance was rated as average at the box office and it had a theatrical run for 18 weeks in Karachi cinemas.[3]

Production

Imtiaz Ali Taj's Anārkalī was adapted as a screenplay by director Anwar Kamal Pasha for film Anarkali.[4] In 1940s, Mohammad Afzal, better known by his stage name Himalya Wala was selected to play the character of Salim's Rajput friend, Durjan Singh in K. Asif adaptation of Taj's play (Mughal-e-Azam) but due to political turmoil and worst conditions in the country that lead to independence of Pakistan, the project was halted and he went on to star in Anarkali, after he migrated to Pakistan.[6]

The film is compared with landmark Bollywood film Mughal-e-Azam which was also based on same play by Taj and broke all the Box office records but Anarkali could not perform remarkably at the box office and had low production budget in comparison to its rival.[7]

Reception

Film analysts criticized the casting of Noor Jehan as Anarkali as Jehan was in her 30's by then and chubby at that time. She nowhere resembled a young pretty female servant as is portrayed in the 1920s novel by the same name. The film music was however praised.[2][7]

Awards and nominations

References
  1. "Film 'Anarkali' to be screened on Saturday". Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) website. 6 May 2016. Retrieved 12 June 2022.
  2. Aijaz Gul (8 May 2016). "'Anarkali' screened at Mandwa". The News International (newspaper). Retrieved 11 June 2022.
  3. "Anarkali (1958 film)". Pakistan Film Magazine website. Archived from the original on 8 October 2021. Retrieved 14 May 2022.
  4. "Lok Virsa to screen Pakistani classic 'Anaarkali'". The News International (newspaper). 4 May 2016. Retrieved 12 June 2022.
  5. Amjad Parvez (23 September 2019). "Noor Jahan's top 10 most memorable songs". Daily Times (newspaper). Retrieved 12 June 2022.
  6. Karan Bali (16 April 2017). "The 'Mughal-e-Azam' that was never made, starring Nargis". Scroll.in website. Retrieved 12 June 2022.
  7. Karan Bai (19 March 2016). "The fascinating tales of the many Anarkalis". Scroll.in website. Retrieved 12 June 2022.
  8. "List of Nigar awards from 1957 to 1971". The Hot Spot Online website. 17 June 2002. Archived from the original on 3 August 2008.
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