Anarkali is a Telugu historical film, produced by P. Adinarayana Rao on Anjali pictures banner and directed by Vedantam Raghavaiah. Starring Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Anjali Devi in the lead roles and music also composed by P. Adinarayana Rao. The film was dubbed into Tamil with same title.
Nadira (Anjali Devi) and her tribe migrated from Persia to Agra. Bowled over by her mellifluous voice and beauty, Prince Salim (Akkineni Nageswara Rao) introduces himself to her as a soldier and the two fall in love, meeting regularly at the Anar (Pomegranate) garden. While strolling in his garden, Emperor Akbar (S. V. Ranga Rao), impressed by her singing, bestows on her the title, ‘Anarkali.’ When her singing brings back to consciousness his son Salim, who is grievously injured in the war and goes into a coma, Akbar makes her the court dancer. This upsets Gulnar (Surabhi Balasaraswathi), the former court dancer, who has secret ambitions of marrying the Prince. On the day of Prince Salim’s coronation, Gulnar mixes alcohol in Anarkali’s drink who, under its influence, expresses her love for Salim. This angers Akbar, who orders her to be imprisoned. Salim rebels against his father but his mother Jodhabai (Kanamba) stops him at the battlefield. Salim is held captive and the Emperor orders capital punishment for the lovers. Anarkali is taken to a distant place to be buried alive. Salim rushes to save her, but by the time he reaches there she is already buried. He bangs his head on her grave and dies.
Directed by Vedantam Raghavaiah
Produced by P. Adinarayana Rao, Anjali Devi (presents)
Written by Samudrala Sr (dialogues)
Screenplay by Vedantam Raghavaiah
Based on Epic of Anarkali
Starring Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Anjali Devi
Music by P. Adinarayana Rao
Cinematography Kamal Ghosh
Edited by N. S. Pragasam
Production Anjali Pictures
Release date 28 April 1955
Running time 153 mins
Country India
Language Telugu / Tamil
