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<p>Songs old and new Naushad's music of Mughal-E-Azam made it the film it is. The play not just retains the songs from the original film, but also has two newly composed numbers—a celebratory song for when Salim turns warrior prince and a qawali when young Akbar visits the dargah to ask for a son. The score which has been entirely recreated through live recordings will play out on stage with the actors lending their voices to it. “Priyanka Barve who plays Anarkali is a trained singer and actor, and she will be the first to sing the songs of the film live,” says Khan. Composer Piyush Kanojia who has reinterpreted the songs adds, “From ‘Pyar Kiya Toh Darna Kya' to ‘Mohe Panghat Pe', we have re-recorded each song with live instruments and given it a new texture, while retaining its classic feel. Nobody can create such great music and we thought it was important to take people back in time and make them experience what they did when they first watched the songs of this film.”</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>Visual extravaganza From costumes to sets to lighting, the play seems to have roped in the best in the business to create this visual masterpiece. While there's Emmy award-winning John Narun behind the production design, there's David Lunder, who is known to be the hand behind Madonna's concerts, covers the light design. “There are war sequences, palace performances, and even Anarkali's capture in the end are scenes that need to expand themselves beyond the stage. We have created this world on a 60/40 feet stage and that's where the expertise of artists who have worked on international Broadway shows helped,” says Khan. Designer Manish Malhotra who has created the costumes adds, “The costumes are presented with pure extravagance using jewelled tones such as shades of ruby red, emerald and royal blue with intricate zardozi embroidery and benarasi work on classic silhouettes. The kalidars have more flair and all the pieces have our signature touch of glamour and elegance. We created approximately 550 costumes for all characters, thoroughly researched on the functionality aspect by sitting through rehearsals, understanding the choreography and movement so each garment could allow absolute comfort and mobility.”</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>Anarkali's story in her words Mughal-E-Azam was known for its grandeur, but what resonates within young and old minds even today is the love story the film told. It was both ideal and heart-breaking, and the play tells this love legend through Anarkali's perspective. “I thought the film was personal because we felt the pain of this woman who could be one among us. She represented every jilted lover who fights for her love story to stay alive and I wanted to emphasise that within the play. The relationship between Salim and Anarkali worked on screen because they were so real and intimate. For me the biggest challenge was to retain that subtlety in their story and make audiences believe in their love, and I think we have managed that,” adds Khan. Mughal-e-Azam plays at NCPA Mumbai from Oct 21-30 and will travel to New Delhi in November and December</p>
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