Akbar Salim Anarkali

Akbar Salim Anarkali is a 1978 Indian Telugu-language historical romance film produced & directed by N. T. Rama Rao under his Ramakrishna Cine Studios banner. The film stars Rama Rao, Nandamuri Balakrishna and Deepa, with music composed by C. Ramchandra. It is based on the legend of the romance between the Mughal prince Salim (later known as Jahangir) and the court dancer Anarkali, which is disapproved of by the emperor Akbar. The film was unsuccessful.

Plot
The film begins with Mughal emperor Akbar proceeding towards the shrine Tomb of Salim Chishti barefoot to pray that his wife Jodha give birth to an heir, for which he is perturbed. Later, Tansen, the court singer, brings the Emperor good news of his son Salim's birth. Overjoyed, Akbar bestows Tansen with his ring and promises to grant him anything he desires, the time he needs. Salim grows as a spoiled brat, flippant and self-indulgent. So, Akbar sends him to the battlefield to teach him courage and discipline.

After 14 years, Salim returns as a distinguished soldier and crushes on court-dancer Nadira, whom the Emperor bestows on her: Anarkali, i.e., pomegranate blossom. Since it envies another artiste, Gulnar, as she also entices the prince, she uncovers their forbidden relationship with the Emperor. Upon this, Salim appeals to his father for their marriage, which he denies, and seizes Anarkali. As of now, enraged Salim rebels, amasses an army, and confronts his father when he is thwarted and destined to die.

However, the Emperor is lenient if he hands over Anarkali in hiding to die in his stead. So, Anarkali gives herself up to save the prince and is condemned to death by being entombed alive. Before that, she begs for a few hours to hang out with Salim as his make-believe wife, which the emperor grants. At this point, she anesthetizes Salim as he remains elusive and unable to execute the penalty in his presence. Consequently, Anarkali is walled up when Tansen reminds the Emperor that he still owes, who pleads to free Anarkali, a favor. Though Akbar has a change of opinion, the ruler's duty pledges him. Finally, Akbar covertly skips Anarkali into exile with Tansen. However, he demands that the pair live in obscurity and that Salim is never to know that Anarkali is still alive.

Cast

 * N. T. Rama Rao as Akbar
 * Jamuna as Jodha
 * Nandamuri Balakrishna as Salim
 * Deepa as Anarkali
 * Gummadi as Tansen
 * Sreedhar
 * Madhavi as Gulnar
 * P. J. Sarma
 * Chalapathi Rao

Soundtrack
Music was composed by C. Ramchandra. Lyrics was written by C. Narayana Reddy.