Recently read that there were many flaws in the drama ‘Aakhri Chattan’ produced by PTV in 80s. The drama was based on the novel ‘Aakhri Chattan’ written by ‘Naseem Hijazi’ and revolved around the conquest of Genghis Khan of Central Asian states and Baghdad.
The main flaw of the drama was showing Mongol troops wearing jackets having Zip, which was invented in 19th Centuries (i.e. almost 7 centuries after the conquests of Genghis Khan). The other flaw was showing a Black man with tond as Genghiz Khan.. The Mongols were yellow in complexion and due to his routine Genghiz Khan was not supposed to have tond.
How do you found depiction of history in movies and dramas? Did they follow the historical details properly?
They shown Sheesh Mahal in the song ‘Pyar kia to darna kia’ where Madhoo Bala playing Anarkali was dancing before Akbar. There was no existence of Sheesh Mehal during Akbar’s time, as it was built by his grandson Shahjahan.
It was built during ShahJehan’s period.. but in Lollywood movie - ‘Anarkali’ was shown dancing in the Shalamar Garden .
Chalo, ye to Mughlon ka aapus ka phadda tha, but in Lollywood Movie ‘Ayaz’ about Mehmood Ghaznavi and his loyal servant Ayaz. The heroine of the movie, also shown dancing in Shalamar Garden, during Mehmood Gaznavi (November 2, 971 – April 30, 1030) period. Shalamar Garden was built in 1641 AD.
I remember a TV play which was a historical play where a character delivered a dialogue which had a verse of Ghalib's poetry in it. Galib would not be born at that time according to the timeline of that show.
This is due to popularity of Mirza Ghalib that even some misras from his poetry are quoted by those who don't even like reading poetry. Almost all the ghazals contain such Ash'aar and Misras that have become part and parcel of day to day Urdu conversation.
At the time of release of Jodhaa Akbar, a tale of love between Akbar and Jodha Bai (played by Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai), a section of Rajputs in Rajasthan has protested that the film is historically inaccurate and threatened to block its screening in the state.
Factually at least, they are on solid ground. Akbar never married Jodha Bai. It was his son, Prince Salim who did. Salim became Emperor Jehangir. And his son from Jodha Bai, Prince Khurram, succeeded his father as Emperor Shah Jahan.
Iqtidar Alam Khan, the noted historian and authority on Akbar who teaches at Aligarh Muslim University, points out that Akbar did marry a Rajput princess but she was Harka Bai, daughter of the Kachwaha ruler of Amber, Raja Bharmal.
:k: But people take things seriously when reading a book or watching movies. The great example of this is character of Anarkali, which was introduced by Imtiaz Taj in his drama back in 1920’s and then movies like Anarkali and Mughl e Azam made people believe that its a true story.
What was the real identity of Mariam Uzamni, wife of Akbar, was she Harka Bai??
Yes she was Harka Bai, daughter of the Kachwaha ruler of Amber, Raja Bharmal. The confusion of Jodha Bai married to Akbar is some what attributed to Jodha Mahal in Fatehpur Sikri, which was built during Akbar's time.
^ J P Dutta's movies Border & LOC Kargil have been very much controversial on our side. I remember that Border was even banned in Pakistan and when Zee Cinema telecasted it on 15th Aughust, Zee Cinema was also blocked by the cable operators. BTW, I love all its songs. :D
Movies have been butchering up Science since the beginning of Cinematography. Out of 100 Sci-fi movies, 75 % makes no sense what so ever, and I am not talking about loopholes in the plot, I am talking about total disregard of the rules of physics or proven theories when making a movie. But we never had people throwing away their science books and started looking for the physical edge of the universe with a huge bearded man sitting there , just because Star Trek V showed that. If not in Sceince, then why in History do we need movies to guide us.
They shown Sheesh Mahal in the song ‘Pyar kia to darna kia’ where Madhoo Bala playing Anarkali was dancing before Akbar. There was no existence of Sheesh Mehal during Akbar’s time, as it was built by his grandson Shahjahan.
Are you sure that was the case?
Directors like Shoaib Mansoor and J P Datta knows how the spread propaganda through powerful medium of cinema.