NOW SHOWING: MUGHALS

As Karan Johar readies to direct a multistarrer based in the Mughal era, we look at other projects revolving around the empire that are in the works

Remember reading about Mughal emperor Akbar, Aurangzeb or Dara Shikoh in your school’s history books? Interestingly, now, those historical figures seem to have leapt out of the pages of the past to make their way towards showbiz. How else would you explain halfa-dozen projects — across various platforms — based around the illustrious Mughals?

PAST PERFECT

To start with, Karan Johar is set to direct a multistarrer Takht that, according to him, is “like the K3G of the Mughal era”. Film-maker Nikkhil Advani is busy with a lavishly-mounted show, Moghuls, an adaptation of Alex Rutherford’s novel, Empire of the Moghul. Ajay Devgn-starrer Taanaji: The Unsung Warrior is about Tanaji Malusare — a general in the army of Shivaji — who sacrificed his life to recapture the fort of Kondhana from the Mughals in the historic Battle of Sinhagad in 1670.

Also in the pipeline is a period drama series titled Taj: A Monument of Blood — based on the rise and fall of the Mughal Empire. A TV show, Dastaan-E-Mohabbat Salim Anarkali, that is currently on air, revolves around the love story of the Mughal prince Salim, a courtesan Anarkali, and Akbar. Plus, Mouni Roy will be seen in a web series based on the life of the Mughal queen, Mehrunissa, who was married to Emperor Jahangir.

RELATABILITY FACTOR

The big question is: what’s attracting so many makers to Mughal era? “If you recall our history lessons, apart from the British rule and freedom struggle, Mughal era is the one topic that has always fascinated us. Those times are filled with interesting stories and great dramas, which make for gripping cinematic tales. Also, in the times that we live in, it’s very important to tell the stories of our emperors and conquerors before we forget them,” says Nikkhil.

Karan, on his part, admits that it’s his biggest film in terms of opulence and scale, so it’s “scary and nervewracking”. He says: “The film is based on a true historical event, which is why it is important to tell it the way it happened. It is not my interpretation of history but what actually happened then. It is based on historical facts and we are doing it with a lot of dignity.”

THE RIGHT TIME

Experts feel there “couldn’t have been a better time” to tell such tales. “First, Mughals have had a huge influence on our country and its culture. We can also easily relate to these stories since everyone has heard or read about them. Plus, there are several fascinating stories from those times. Secondly, now, we have producers and studios, which are ready to back such spectacles,” says exhibitordistributor Akshaye Rathi.

Also, at a time when ‘spectacle cinema’ is the order of the day, historicals fit in perfectly. “Makers, in general, seem to be very high on historical dramas. And why not? In today’s times, if you have to attract audiences to theatres, you have to give them something larger than life. Historicals automatically lend themselves to grandeur, twists-and-turns and costume drama,” says trade analyst Taran Adarsh.

(Anticlockwise from top) Kareena Kapoor Khan, Ranveer Singh, Vicky Kaushal, Mouni Roy, a still from Jodhaa Akbar, a still from MughalEAzam, Dia Mirza, Alia Bhatt and a still from DaastanEMohabbat