Nargis was announced as Anarkali in an earlier version of Mughal-e-Azam, and some of that production was filmed. But there was no completed Nargis-starring film for audiences to see: the project was derailed, rebuilt years later, and released in 1960 with Madhubala as Anarkali.
What was announced in 1945?
The November 1945 issue of Filmindia announced a version of Mughal-e-Azam with Veena as Bahar, Nargis as Anarkali and Chandramohan as Akbar. Shooting began in earnest in 1946; Sapru joined as Salim, and Durga Khote was signed as Jodha. Scroll reports that contemporary advertisements and set reports indicated roughly a quarter of the film had been shot. That makes the Nargis version a real, partly filmed production—not a completed movie or a released alternative to the 1960 film. Scroll’s account of the abandoned production gives the specific roles in the early announcement.
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Why did the production stop?
Partition-era disruption and the loss of its financier
The turmoil surrounding Partition disrupted the production. Shiraz Ali Hakim, the film’s original financier, left for Pakistan, removing its financial backing. Scroll reports that raw stock was discarded and that Hakim suggested Shapoorji Pallonji as a possible source of financing.
Chandramohan’s death
Chandramohan, announced as Akbar in the early version, died on April 2, 1949. His death compounded the project’s difficulties. Filmindia’s obituary, quoted by Scroll, said: “Never again will this great actor be replaced. For, the lambs of the day can never reach the stature of the lion that died.” The line belongs to the obituary, not to director K. Asif.
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How did the film audiences know come together?
Shapoorji Pallonji eventually backed the project, which reached the screen with a different principal cast. The released film premiered on August 5, 1960, with Prithviraj Kapoor as Akbar, Dilip Kumar as Salim and Madhubala as Anarkali. NDTV’s retrospective also identifies Madhubala as Anarkali in the released film. NDTV’s account of the film’s making reports its production cost as Rs 10.5 million.
| Stage | Anarkali | Akbar | Salim | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Early production announced in 1945; filming began in 1946 | Nargis | Chandramohan | Sapru joined during production | Partly filmed, then derailed |
| Released film, premiered August 5, 1960 | Madhubala | Prithviraj Kapoor | Dilip Kumar | Released |
The comparison is therefore one of production history and casting, not two completed performances: the Nargis version was never finished and released for audiences to compare with Madhubala’s.
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Did Nargis refuse to play Anarkali?
A 2020 Karwaan Heritage account says Nargis refused a later offer and that Madhubala came forward for the role. The available accounts do not establish Nargis’s own explanation, so the claim should not be expanded into a reason for her decision. Karwaan Heritage’s account of the 1960 production describes the later offer, while Scroll’s report is the source for the precise roles in the 1945 announcement.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What do reports say the film cost?
Retrospective accounts give different figures, and they should not be treated as a single verified or audited total. NDTV reported a production cost of Rs 10.5 million in 2008; Scroll reported Rs 1.5 crore in 2017. In a recollection reported by The Indian Express in 2026, screenwriter Kamlesh Pandey said Asif sought Rs 1.5 crore when films then cost Rs 3–5 lakh. These are differently attributed reports, not directly interchangeable measurements. The Indian Express report attributes the latter figures to Pandey.
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