Aishwarya Rai as Anarkali, Amitabh Bachchan as Akbar and Abhishek as Salim: Big B's response when south producer pitched remaking Mughal-e-Azam with Bachchans | Bollywood News - The Indian Express

A producer wanted to remake ‘Mughal-E-Azam’ with Amitabh Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai, Abhishek and Jaya Bachchan: Here is what the Big B thought

he iconic Bollywood film ‘Mughal-E-Azam’, with its timeless romance, and unforgettable performances has etched itself into the memoirs of Indian cinema. To create a remake would be a bold endeavor that would require not just stellar acting, but also the courage to step into legendary shoes. Well, a renowned south producer dared to dream big, proposing a casting coup that would rewrite history. The Bachchan family—Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan, and Aishwarya Rai—was at the center of this ambitious vision.

In a recent revelation to Bollywood Thikana, filmmaker Mehul Kumar recounted the intriguing phone call where the south producer dialed Mehul’s number. “We want to remake Mughal-E-Azam,” he declared, “and we want the Bachchans to lead the charge.” Amitabh Bachchan as Emperor Akbar, Jaya Bachchan as Jodha Bai, Abhishek Bachchan as Salim, and Aishwarya Rai as Anarkali.

But Mehul Kumar, when asked about the audacious plan responded firmly, “Mughal-E-Azam can’t be remade. “He said that the original film, directed by K. Asif, was more than celluloid. Prithviraj Kapoor and Dilip Kumar’s portrayal of Emperor Akbar and Salim set a benchmark for toxic father-son dynamics, leaving an indelible mark on generations. Any attempt to replicate that magic would inevitably invite comparisons.

So what did Amitabh Bachchan himself think of this proposal? When the producer approached him, Amitabh advised, “Speak to Mehul Kumar first.” And when the message reached Mehul’s ears, he chuckled, “Amit ji said that Mehul is right.” Clearly, Amitabh understood the weight of history and the impossibility of recreating the film.

‘Mughal-E-Azam’ (1940s) was inspired by the tale of Anarkali, a doomed love story set against the Mughal court. Madhubala, Dilip Kumar, and Prithviraj Kapoor breathed life into characters that transcended time. Their chemistry and the grandeur of the Sheesh Mahal remain etched in our collective memory.