| GENERAL
DATA |
|
|
| other
titles |
|
Taj
Mahal.A Love Story |
| catch
phrases |
|
• A
tribute...to the timeless love of a king for his wife...cast
in stone...for eternity...
The film Taj Mahal is dedicated to Emperor Shahjehan
(1592-1666). |
| release
category |
|
big-screen-movie |
| genre |
|
romance/historical
drama |
| length |
|
168
minutes (Hindi-version)
167 minutes 35 seconds (UK: Hindi-version with English subtitles)
160- and 170 minutes versions shown at the Cannes Film Festival |
theatrical
release
certificate |
|
India:
April 28, 2005 (18 reels)
Britain: October 14, 2005 (12A certificate, uncut)
|
| |
|
|
| release
dates |
|
• Pakistan
- 27. April 2006 (Karachi)
•
Pakistan - 26. April 2006 (Lahore)
• International - November 18, 2005
• India - November 16, 2005 gala premiere, Mumbai
• special screening, Dublin, Ireland, Irish Film Institute:
December 3, 2005, 11:00 am
•special screening, London, invited guests only:
Early September 2005
• several special screenings, Mumbai, invited guests only:
2005
• special screening, Mumbai, invited guests only:
Late August 2005
• special screenings, Cannes Film Festival, invited guests only:
May 17, 2005, 8:30 pm - 160 min. version, Palais D
May 19, 2005, 6:00 pm - 170 min. version, Riviera 4
• the movie is made in Hindi and Urdu, will be dubbed in English, subtitled
for
Europe, and will also be dubbed in Persian and Arabic [Hindustan
Times,
October
27,
2005] |
| |
|
|
| PRODUCTION |
|
|
| country
of production |
|
India |
| production |
|
Mashreq
Communications Ltd
(Akbar Khan, Obaid Mohammed Khamis, Hazza Sultan Khalfan Al-Darmaki) |
| financing |
|
Bank
of Baroda, The Jammu & Kashmir Bank Ltd. |
| executive
producer |
|
Akbar
Khan, Shahala Sheikh (executive producer) |
| screenplay |
|
Akbar
Khan, Fatima Meer
dialogue: Gulrez Syed, (late) Mohafiz Hyder and Rajeev Mirza |
| |
|
|
THE
BOOK!
STILLS,
PICTURES
& INFORMATION
ABOUT KABIR BEDI
FROM THE BOOK
 |
|
TITLE: TAJ
MAHAL.THE MAKING OF THE MOTION PICTURE
AUTHOR: SURESH KOHLI
PUBLISHER: OM BOOKS INTERNATIONAL, NEW DELHI, INDIA
ISBN: 8187107448
PAGES: 128
EDITION: HARD BOUND, GLOSSY PAPER, LAVISHLY ILLUSTRATED, INCLUDING MANY
MOVIE STILLS
(including eight excellent pictures of KABIR)
PRICE: Rs. 995.00 (~ 18 Euros / 22 US Dollars / 12 British
Pounds)
RELEASE DATE: OCTOBER 13, 2005
-- please order online or via book shops
--
-- Om
Books, India - direct link --
- Delhi, October 13, 2005 first book launch
- Mumbai, November 7, 2005 second book launch
Author Suresh Kohli is a well-known writer, poet and documentary filmer.
He accompanied the Taj crew during the shooting, which lasted several years.
|
SECOND BOOK LAUNCH
MUMBAI
OXFORD BOOKSTORE
NOVEMBER 7, 2005
|
| music |
|
MUSIC: Naushad,
assisted by Uttam Singh, other film music:
Yanni
A
Tribute to Naushad
LYRICS: Naqsh Layallpuri, Syed Gulrez Rashid
SINGERS: Hari Haran, Preeti Uttam, Ajoy Chakraborthy, Kavita Krishnamurthy and
others
TITLES:
'Apni Zulfein Mere' Hari Haran
'Ajnabi Thehro Zara' Hari Haran, Preeti Uttam
'Mumtaz Tujhe Dekha To Taj Mahal Dekha' - title song Hari
Haran, Preeti Uttam
'Tareef é Meena Bazaar' (Couplet) - Instrumental
'Ishq Ki Daastaan' (Qawwali) Kavitha Krishnamurthy, Preeti Uttam
'Dilruba Dilruba' Hari Haran, Preeti Uttam
'Yeh Kaun Mujhe Yaad Aaya' (Classical) Ajoy Chakraborthy
'Taj Mahal' (Crescendo) Hari Haran, Preeti Uttam
March 16, 2005 - AUDIO CD launch party, Mumbai
March 28, 2005 - AUDIO CD release, Times Music label
originally scheduled on Valentine Day, February 14, 2004
RINGTONES |
 |
| |
|
|
| choreography |
|
Saroj
Khan, Jay Borade |
| director
of action scenes |
|
Sham
Kaushal |
| photography |
|
R.M.
Rao |
| art
director |
|
Chandravardhan
More |
| costume
design |
|
Anna
Singh |
| jewellery design |
|
Tejas
Jogani |
| distribution |
|
Mukta
Arts Ltd. (India), Bollywood Films (Britain)
Eveready Pictures (Pakistan) |
| filming
location |
|
Meherangarh
Fort in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India (most scenes)
India and Uzbekistan (mass fighting- and other mass-scenes)
Kashmir, Ladakh (scene of love song at start of film), Uttar Pradesh, Jaipur,
Udaipur,
Marwar,
Agra,
India
Samode, about 40 km from Jaipur, India (scenes of battle of Samugarh)
Film City, Mumbai, India (sheesh mahal set, Qawwali-song 'Ishq Ki Daastaan') |
| |
|
|
| DIRECTOR |
|
Akbar
Khan |
| |
|
|
| CAST |
|
Zulfikar
Syed, also: Sayed (Prince
Khurram, later known as Emperor Shah Jahan)
Sonya Jahan (Arjumand Banu Begum, later known as Mumtaz
Mahal, Noorjahan's niece)
Pooja Batra (Queen Noorjahan)
Arbaaz Khan (Emperor Aurangzeb, Shah Jahan's son)
Arbaaz Ali (Salim, later known as Emperor Jahangir,
Khurram's father)
Manisha Koirala (Princess Jahan Ara, Shah Jahan's favourite
daughter)
Kim Sharma (Laadli Begum, Noorjahan's daughter from
a former marriage)
Aly Khan (Asif Ali, Mumtaz Mahal's father)
Nigar Khan (Princess Kandhari, grand-daughter of the
Shah of Persia)
Vaquar Sheikh (Dara Shikoh, Shah Jahan's first-born
son)
Milind Gunaji (Commander-in-Chief of Jahangir's army
and Noorjahan's lover) |
| |
|
|
| SUMMARY |
|
===
MORE INFORMATION WILL BE ADDED === |
| |
|
|
| |
|
MORE
PICTURES STARRING KABIR BEDI IN TAJ MAHAL.AN ETERNAL
LOVE STORY |
| KABIR
BEDI DETAILS |
|
|
| Kabir's
part |
|
Kabir plays a lead part, the ageing Moghul ruler Shah Jahan. |
| |
|
|
| Kabir's
showstopper |
|
Kabir plays
Shah Jahan in about three different phases of his life, a challenge
sublimely mastered by his make-up artist of 15 years' standing, Raju Khan.
Kabir's first appearance as the elderly emperor is in the first
minutes of the film, at the time of the decisive
battle of Samarghar (May 29, 1658) in which his sons fight over his succession as the ruler of the
Mughal empire.
One of the first shots shows Kabir from the back, standing at
the window of his palace. He slowly turns towards
the camera and paces restlessly up and down the
room: his empire, his future and his fate are at stake.
In this very brief scene, as in all his other appearances, Kabir is dressed head to toe in white mourning robes.
His beloved Mumtaz has been dead for many decades.
In a following, very important, scene, Kabir as the "emperor
without an empire" hands his daughter Jahan
Ara the richly decorated sword Alamgir, a symbol of imperial
power that has been handed down the generations since the Timur dynasty.
Shah Jahan orders Jahan Ara to bring the sword to his son Aurangzeb,
who has emerged victorious from the battle with
his brothers, thereby formally recognising his
reign. Even in this act, dangerous and humiliating as it is for
him, the wise old ruler Shah Jahan is willing to be a mentor
to his hostile son.
However, Aurangzeb is a despot. In one of Kabir's and Arbaaz
Khan's best scenes, director Khan shows the confrontation
between the wise, extroverted ruler and the narrow-minded,
almost fanatical autocrat.
Another excellent scene by Kabir is when he faces Eitbar Khan,
Aurangzeb's
scheming and sadistic eunuch, in his own living quarters to hear
that his power has been taken away from him.
By Aurangzeb's cruel orders, Shah Jahan's daughter Jahan Ara
joins her
father in house arrest for the rest of their lives. They comfort
each other and often look back to their days with Mumtaz Mahal.
Aurangzeb's cruelty is further developed in a shocking scene
with Kabir and Jahan Ara.
In the following years, Shah Jahan seeks confort in his prison
by gazing on the distant Taj Mahal. Encouraged
by his daughter, he tells the epic story of his
love for Mumtaz that prompted him to build the monument.
There are a few other short scenes by Kabir, nearly always with
Jahan Ara, in both parts of the movie. In one
of these, Shah Jahan tells her how he married
his true love Arjumand Begum after a only a very short, two-year period
of mourning following the death of his first wife, Princess Quandhari Begum,
the granddaughter of the Shah of Persia, whom he married in a politically arranged wedding.
On the eve of the 40th anniversary of Mumtaz Mahal's death, the
old and infirm Shah Jahan sends his daughter to
see Aurangzeb. Just once, after all these years
in solitude, Shah Jahan wants to pray at his wife's tomb.
Aurangzeb, who has decreed an ascetic lifestyle at his court
and who is
himself living as a religious recluse, conditionally grants Shah
Jahan's wish, allowing his father to visit the
following morning his mother's tomb for the first time in 40
years.
But that night Shah Jahan dies.
In a final dream sequence, the old emperor is visited by his
mentor, the Sufi scholar Sarmad, who was decapitated on Aurangzeb's orders
years ago.
He tells a surprised but delighted Shah Jahan that Mumtaz is
waiting for him.
Sarmad then leads him to a boat
that will carry him across a stormy river to the
Taj Mahal.
Standing alone in the bow and buffeted by the winds, Shah
Jahan prepares for the encounter.
He is met by his bride, radiant
as ever but now clad in white mourning dress.
Shah Jahan, now again played by Zulfikar Syed,
finds peace at last in her embrace. |
| |
|
|
Andrea's
review
November 18, 2005
(day of release) |
|
Taj
Mahal's biggest merit is that it is consistent and true to
genre.
It is clear that Akbar Khan has gone to great lengths to base details in
the film on historical records whenever available:
For instance, Queen Noor Jahan wears surprisingly modern clothing, reflecting
European influence at the court; heir to the throne Dara Shikoh employs an
Italian to command his artillery; and Shah Jahan's (Kabir's) hair turns grey
overnight after Mumtaz' death.
At the same time, there is more than a touch of fairy tale to Arjumand's
Rapunzel-like escape from a palace window; the hunting scene where her veil
is pinned to a tree by Prince Khurram's arrow; and Shah Jahan's (Kabir's) rather
spooky river crossing in an unmanned boat, straight from Lohengrin.
But unlike many a Bollywood movie, Khan succeeds in holding the story together
without introducing the usual incongruous mix of comedy, horror, romance,
tragedy and suspense.
Khan has found a convincing virgin heroine in gorgeous newcomer Sonya Rizvi
who plays Arjumand/Mumtaz.
Former model Zulfikar Syed is adequate as the younger Khurram/Shah Jahan
but really comes into his own in the angry scenes where he confronts his
scheming stepmother and his mendacious, alcoholic younger brother.
Some of the best acting comes from the towering Pooja Batra as the delightfully
evil queen, seconded by Kim Sharma as her vain, airhead daughter Ladli Begum,
a Moghul version of Paris Hilton if ever there was one.
Among the supporting parts, the sadistic eunuch Eitbar Khan, Noor Jahan's
lover and confidant, Commander-in-Chief Mahawat Khan, Sufi scholar and mentor
Sarmad, and Arjumand's nanny are excellent.
Arbaaz Ali as Khurram's father Jahangir looks almost young enough to be his
son.
Despite the film's huge budget, said to be the biggest in Indian film history,
there are a few lapses which are disappointing given Akbar Khan's reputation
as a perfectionist.
In the special effects department, the computerised Disneyland escapees surrounding
Arjumand in the game reserve are an embarassment to Mother Nature. And at
the end of the film, Shah Jahan's (Kabir's)
boat is propelled across the river with its sails billowing stubbornly in
the
wrong
direction.
The sound effects appear to be awkward at times, and the editing could have
been tighter, particularly in the second half.
But true to its title, the film succeeds in portraying love in all its avatars
- passionate, motherly, fanatic, sensual, mature and spiritual, ultimately
conquering death.
With its glorious sets, Naushad's haunting tunes, and part-Urdu dialogue,
some of which is in verse, Taj Mahal is guaranteed to provide three hours
of solid, captivating entertainment. |
| |
|
|
 |
| YUM! |
|
|
One
of the world's most famous love stories, overwhelming splendour
of the Moghul era, large number of stars, gripping storyline
with plenty of action - and Kabir
Bedi in a major leading part - miss this film,
and you'll regret it! |
| |
|
|
 |
| EEK! |
|
|
Too
much splendour, too much pathos, too much perfection - too much
of everything??? |
| |
|
|
 |
| IN
SHORT... |
|
|
A glittering
mega-production by a passionate perfectionist about a world heritage
site that has its origins in love, an international romantic
symbol, a radiant monument in marble that has borne witness to
a man's
passion through the ages. |
| |
|
|
| discussion |
|
discuss
this movie with others |
| |
|
|
| KABIR
BEDI PICTURES |
|
|
| Kabir
stills |
|
movie
picture galleries |
| reviews
w/ Kabir pix |
|
-
|
| other
links w/ Kabir pix |
|
From
India, with love - Capri Cinema Lahore, Pakistan PICTURE Kabir,
others
Taj
Mahal party - announcement Pakistan release PICTURE Kabir,
Akbar Khan, others
Taj
Mahal party - announcement Pakistan release PICTURE Kabir,
Akbar Khan
Taj
Mahal party - announcement Pakistan release PICTURE Kabir and
Akbar Khan
Akbar
Khan’s Taj Mahal Premiere - Picture Gallery PICTURE Kabir
All
for love - Celebs catch the premiere of Taj Mahal PICTURE Kabir w/
Adam & Pooja
'Taj
Mahal is for the world audience' slide show with PICTURE Kabir
Taj
Mahal irks animal activists PICTURE Kabir
Naushad
returns with Taj Mahal PICTURE Kabir
Sargam
picture gallery gallery of 28 movie pictures,
PICTURE 3x Kabir
Royalty
recreated at Tajmahal music release! links leading to PICTURES Kabir
Kabir
Bedi to direct PICTURE Kabir,
Taj Mahal mentioned
Romancing
the Taj PICTURE Kabir on
set
"I
feel more connected with Bollywood now." Kabir
Bedi interview, PICTURE Kabir
Sonia,
well worth the wait PICTURE Kabir,
other members of the cast
Akbar
the Great & his Taj Mahal! PICTURE Kabir together
with Akbar Khan
Taj
ki taaza khabar PICTURE Kabir portrait
as Shah Jahan
Eternal
love story PICTURE Kabir and
other cast
Monument
of love now on celluloid PICTURE Kabir/other
stars, pictures from the set
Fatima
Meer's script for Taj Mahal to create history PICTURE Kabir/other
cast
Kabir
to play Shah Jehan in Akbar Khan's Taj Mahal PICTURE Kabir |
| |
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|
| |
|
MORE
PICTURES STARRING KABIR BEDI IN TAJ MAHAL.AN ETERNAL LOVE STORY |
| |
|
|
| tv
broadcasts |
|
want
to see Kabir in
it? check TV listings of Kabir's
work - current/archives |
| |
|
|
| not
to be confused with |
|
There
is only one Taj Mahal film with Kabir,
but there is also scope for a lot of confusion* surrounding
the Taj Mahal theme - including with other Bollywood classics
and movies being produced at the same time as Kabir's Taj Mahal.
Here's a selection:
*many Internet sources get the various films mixed up!
- 2004 G. Bharat (Bala)'s The Heart of India
previous titles: Taj Mahal.The Eternal Love Story / Taj Mahal.The Great
Indian Experience
documentary, finished filming, 40 minutes in IMAX cinema format (there
are 400 IMAX cinemas around the world), music by A.R. Rahman, in English
und Hindi, shot in Agra and in the Taj Mahal building, set in all of India,
but ends at the Taj Mahal.
Also being planned as a love story with Aishwarya Rai, Amitabh Bachchan
(no longer involved). [as of August 2003]
 
- 2003 Robin Khosla's Taj Mahal.A Monument of Love / Taj Mahal.A Story
of Eternal Love
released on November 21, 2003 (India)
starring Raghu Raj, Purnima Patwardhan, Moon Moon Sen, shot in Kashmir,
Jammu, Mumbai, Agra and at the Taj Mahal, Indian-Canadian production in
English, dubbed in Hindi, music by Santosh Nair, many sources say background
music only, no songs, other sources say two songs in English version, four
in Hindi, length of film less than two hours, story is mostly about the
relationship between Shah Jahan and Mumtaz, not about historical events,
story simplistic, time after Mumtaz' death, Aurangzeb's rise and last years/death
of Shah Jahan only shown fragmentarily, sets miss lavishness. [as of November
2003]
Blah
Taj! review November 21, 2003
Taj
Mahal.A Monument of Love indiafm review
- 2003 Taj Mahal
big-budget Hollywood movie, still in pre-production, by Warner Bros., announced
in early summer 2003, script by Kamran Pasha, cast and director undecided,
although only major Hollywood names being considered, shot in English for
international audience, story is about three main protagonists, scheming
Noorjahan and her influence on the royal lovers and on the politics of
the era. [as of August 2003]
- 1995 Muppalaleni Siva's Taj Mahal
starring Monica Bedi, Nutan Prasad.
- 1963 M. Sadiq's Taj Mahal
starring Pradeep Kumar, Bina Rai, Veena, Jabeen Jalil, film renowned for
excellent songs.
- 1941 Nanabhai Vakil's Taj Mahal
starring Mubarak, Nazir, Kumar and Sarojini, Suraiya.
|
| LINKS |
|
|
| official
website |
|
Akbar
Khan's TAJ MAHAL.AN ETERNAL LOVE STORY [ many pictures of Kabir
]
|
| video
trailers |
|
THE
MOVIE:
• Taj
Mahal - official website promo-trailers/songs/audioclips
• Bollyvista promo-trailer
• Indiaglitz 2
promo-trailers
• Smashits
'Taj Mahal' crew visits Agra - video
• -
• Glamsham wallpapers/downloads
• Indiaglitz wallpapers/downloads
• -
THE SONGS:
• Eknazar songs/audioclips
• Smashits songs/audioclips
• Indiahits songs/audioclips
• - |
| reviews |
|
THE
MOVIE REVIEWS:
• Indiafm -
Taran Adarsh
- "The maturity with
which Kabir Bedi carries
off his role only goes to prove that he's amongst the best
in the business. [...] "Zulfi's
expressions are perfect and his diction flawless; also, he looks every bit
a
prince. Arbaaz Khan is excellent as the conniving Aurangzeb. It wouldn't be wrong
to state that he delivers his finest performance so far. [...] Pooja Batra is
a revelation. Playing a calculating and scheming woman to the core, the actress
is sure to make a number of film-makers sit up and take note of her talent. [...]
Vaquar Sheikh is first-rate."
•
Lalit Mohan Joshi,
BBC4 radio, November 14, 2005
- "[Taj Mahal] has very good music, very stunning roles by Kabir
Bedi and Sonya Jahan!"-"...in Taj Mahal I think songs
are the
best..."-"...I think the film holds only because of the main character Kabir
Bedi!"
• Prime
Minister Manmohan
Singh liked 'Taj Mahal', says Akbar Khan
- "Prime Minister Manmohan Singh...termed [Taj Mahal] as 'educative
and
entertaining'. [The film is] "a brilliant effort to convey one of the salient
periods of history through the medium of cinema...", said Manmohan Singh,
according
to
director
Khan. The Prime Minister told the visiting president of Indonesia to see
Khan's
'Taj
Mahal'
to see what Bollywood was all about."
• The Hollywood Reporter
- "... a tremendously enjoyable Bollywood movie...Big and bold even by Bollywood's
colorful standards,
Akbar Khan's "Taj
Mahal: An Eternal Love Story" is a patchwork of high drama, overwrought
romance and large-scale battle scenes."
• Smashits and
Smashits
Critic's I-view
- "The film is a visual treat to watch, whatever may be the
result
at box office.[...]...but the revelation of the film is Pooja Batra. She has
shown immense maturity in handling the role of Prince Khurram's stepmother.[...]
Taj Mahal is a good film that can sail at box office with the mouth publicity."
• Santabanta
- "...the most surprising film of the year."
• Sify
- "Taj Mahal takes you by surprise."
• IFI
- Irish Film Institute
- "...cast including Kabir Bedi who superbly plays the aged Shah Jehan."
• Deccanherald
- "...an ageing Shah Jehan (played brilliantly by Kabir Bedi)"
• ThePost,
South Africa
rating: 6/10
- "...begins with an ageing Shah Jehan (Kabir
Bedi, who ironically also
played an Eastern prince in The Bold and the Beautiful!) being held captive by
his evil and cruel son Aurangzeb (Arbaaz Khan)."
• Tonight,
Gauteng, South Africa
- "More 7 blunders than 7 wonders.[...] Pooja [Batra], Arbaaz [Khan], Kabir
[Bedi],
Manisha
[Koirala] are
stupendous and the same can be said of Kim [Sharma].
• Indiadaily /
/
Hindustantimes
rating: 2½
- "Pooja Batra does a fabulous job of a scheming, domineering queen of the
land, Noor Jehan. [...] Costumes as well as the sets are definitely the
high points of the film. The word ‘regal’ sums up both."
• Hindustantimes -
Tops & flops of 2005
- "Period falls to pieces - ...Akbar Khan's Taj Mahal blundered in the casting
and poor visual effects...History was rewritten as audiences rejected period
films, especially those with bad wigs and facial hair."
• Rediff
- "Some rivetting performances are all you get. Kabir
Bedi's sophistication
and baritone befit the old emperor...[...] This Bollywood 'wonder' falls way
short of audience expectations."
• Apunkachoice
- "Taj Mahal is a film worth watching once."
• MumbaiMirror
rating: 2
- "This is obviously just one grand show, that's it."
• The
Hindu
- "Cold and beautiful [sic]. [...] Kabir Bedi plays
the old Shah Jahan. With his
commanding
voice and regal
presence, he narrates the story of how he fell in love with Arjumand..."
• Hindu
Business Line
- "The dialogue in the film is flowery Urdu, which sounds impressive only
from a couple of characters (Kabir Bedi who
plays the old Shah Jahan, and Arbaaz Khan who plays his ambitious, scheming son,
Aurangzeb)."
• ...and here's another one: When
love calls... -
Akbar Khan
- "Kabir was
the one actor who had the height, voice, persona and dignity befitting an
emperor."
THE PREVIEWS
• Taj
Mahal - A story of love, family, ambition and supremacy
• Taj
Mahal - An eternal love story forever [sic] [copied from other sources]
- "They will be seen along with the charismatic Kabir
Bedi..."
THE AUDIO CD REVIEWS:
• Smashits
• Indiaglitz
|
| other
related links |
|
PRODUCTION
• April 25, 2007 Back from Ashes
• July 6, 2006 A Tribute to Naushad
• July 4, 2006 Court extends stay on cable operators from
showing 'Taj Mahal'
• June 26, 2006 Pakistan rules out lifting ban on Indian
films
• June 16, 2006 Pakistani media visits India
• June 12, 2006 My world is an oasis of love: Rekha (interview)
• June 9, 2006 Taj Mahal going strong in Pakistan
• May 26, 2006 First
Pakistani film festival in India
• May 24, 2006 "Bride & Prejudice" set
for Pakistan release
• May 23, 2006 Feroz's
faux pas
• May 22, 2006 "I
got a lot of love from the people of Pakistan and I was never
deported as was mentioned in some sections of the media" – Feroz
Khan
• May 22, 2006 The
Bolly-Lolly flop show
• May 22, 2006 "Nobody had the guts to speak for
Manisha"
• May 22, 2006 Glimpses of Indian Delegation in Pak
• May 22, 2006 Akbar
Khan's spokesman blames media for Feroz controversy
• May 22, 2006 Blame Media not Feroze Khan: Dale Bhagwagar
• May 21, 2006 India readies to screen Pakistani films
•May 20, 2006 Pakistan
blacklists Bollywood star Feroz Khan
• May 20, 2006 Akbar Khan to launch Genghis Khan
• May 19, 2006 Akbar
Khan’s initiative sets the ball rolling
• May 19, 2006 Bollywood
stars coming frequently to Delhi
• May 19, 2006 Feroz
Khan banned from entering Pakistan!
• May 19, 2006 Musharraf says 'No Entry' to Feroz
• May 18, 2006 Feroze Khan banned from entering Pak
•May 18, 2006 Feroze Khan out of country, to return on
Friday
• May 14, 2006 Pakistan Panorama: Indian cinema returns
to Pakistan amid drama
• May 11, 2006 Akbar
Khan to re-release Taj Mahal in India Hindustan Times
• May 11, 2006 Akbar
Khan to re-release 'Taj Mahal' in India
• May 9, 2006 Akbar
Khan plans to rerelease Taj Mahal in India
• May 8, 2006 Pakistan
raises curtain a bit on Bollywood
• May 6, 2006 Kim
Sharma se passe la corde au cou
• May 5, 2006 Cross-Culture Romance
• May 5, 2006 Feroz
Khan embarrasses Indian delegation in Pakistan at Taj Mahal’s
premiere
• May 3, 2006 Nationalism, Khan style
• May 2, 2006 I'll sue Naqvi: Akbar Khan
• May 2, 2006 Feroz Khan insults and abuses in Pakistan
• May 1, 2006 How dare he: Akbar Khan
• May 1, 2006 Feroz
Khan get into an unwanted brawl!
• May 1, 2006 Manisha Koirala for joint Pakistan, India
film ventures
• May 1, 2006 Apologise, Akbar Khan demands of Mukthar
Naqvi
• May 1, 2006 BJP blowing up Firoz's remarks: Akbar
• April 30, 2006 BJP admires Feroze Khan for his remarks
in Pakistan
• April 29, 2006 'Visit of Indian cine figures a milestone'
• April 29, 2006 Thrilled Akbar Khan decides to shoot in
Pakistan
• April 29, 2006 Pak ask Feroze Khan to leave
•April 29, 2006 Hrithik
absent in ‘Taj Mahal’ premiere in Pakistan!
• April 28, 2006 Taj
carnival grips Pak
• April 28, 2006 Feroze
adds odd spark to Taj brilliance
• April 28, 2006 Kim
Sharma: Matrimonial bliss in the offing
• April 28, 2006 Mughal-e-Azam
released in Pakistan,Taj Mahal opens on April 28
• April 28, 2006 Feroze
Khan's comments kick off row at Taj premiere
• April 28, 2006 Taj Mahal premieres in Karachi
• April 28, 2006 Pakistan's
overtures to Bollywood
• April 28, 2006 Hrithik Roshan's absence disappoints Karachiites
• April 27, 2006 Pakistan plumps for Bollywood's Taj Mahal
• April 27, 2006 Feroze's
'drunken gaffe' in Pakistan
• April 27, 2006 Pak court dismisses petition against screening
of Indian films
•
April 27, 2006 Pak
court dismisses plea against screening Indian films
• April 27, 2006 Taj Mahal sets screen on fire
• April 26, 2006 Kim
ditches Akbar Khan
• April 25, 2006 Taj
film set for history in Pak - First commercial release in 40
yrs
• April 25, 2006 Will
Taj open doors?
• April 24, 2006 Hrithik-Manisha
at Taj Mahal's Pakistan premiere
• April 24, 2006 Mughal-e-Azam
screened in Pak
• April 24, 2006 Khan-daan heads to Lollywood
• April 23, 2006 Akbar vs Akbar
• April 20, 2006 Bollywood stars to attend film premiere
in Pakistan
• April 19, 2006 Countdown for Taj Mahal's Pak release
begins
• April 19, 2006 Taj
Mahal donated to charity
• April 19, 2006 Who
will accompany Akbar Khan?
• April 19, 2006 Cine-goers
begin countdown of Taj Mahal's release in Pak
• April 19, 2006 Hrithik, Fardeen Khan to attend film premiere
in Pakistan
• April 17, 2006 Akbar
Khan’s ‘Taj Mahal’ to
hit Pak screens on April 28
• April 15, 2006 I've
lost respect for Yash Chopra: Akbar Khan
• April 15, 2006 Top
Indian film stars to take “Taj
Mahal” to Pakistan
• April 7, 2006 Industry
prepares for Taj Mahal’s Pak premiere
• April 3, 2006 Film
industry bigwigs support Akbar Khan newindpress.com
• April 2, 2006 Film industry bigwigs support Akbar Khan nowrunning.com
• April 2, 2006 Film
industry bigwigs support Akbar Khan newkerala.com
• April 2, 2006 Taj
Mahal to create history in Pak
• March 31, 2006 Film
industry bigwigs support Akbar Khan!
• March 29, 2006 Akbar
Khan's 'Taj Mahal' is all set to release in Pakistan
• March 27, 2006 Khan-Chopra squabble over Pakistani release
of 'Taj Mahal'
• March 26, 2006 Taj
Mahal, a historical Pakistan release!
•
March 26, 2006 Akbar Khan says he has lost respect for
Chopra
• March 25, 2006 Yash Chopra is a pygmy!
• March 25, 2006 Akbar
Khan fumes at Yash Chopra!
• March 25, 2006 Yash
Chopra walks off from closing of the FICCI Frames conference
• March 25, 2006 Taj Mahal - 1st Indian film to be screened
in Pak after 40 yrs
• March 25, 2006 Taj
Mahal to be released in Pakistan
• March 25, 2006 'Taj
Mahal' screened in Pakistan
• March 25, 2006 Taj
Mahal will be released in Pakistan
• March 24, 2006 Taj
Mahal, a historical Pakistan release!
• March 24, 2006 'Taj
Mahal' first Indian film to be screened in Pak after 40 yrs Outlook
• March 24, 2006 'Taj
Mahal' first Indian film to be screened in Pak after 40 years The
Hindu
• March 24 2006 Taj
Mahal released in Pakistan
• March 24 2006 Akbar's
Taj Mahal goes to Pakistan
• February 22, 2006 White
Noise to hit theatres again…
• February 14, 2006 'Taj
Mahal' to release in Pakistan
• February 8, 2006 Taj
Mahal in Hollywood
• February 5, 2006 ‘I
am happy this has happened. Now everybody can learn the rules’
• January 21, 2006 Producer's
wife rescues injured bird
• January 10, 2006 Maneka irked by Aamir riding a horse
• January 7, 2006 The bigger picture: Indian and Chinese
filmmakers seem perfectly matched to make movies
• December 20, 2005 Akbar Khan vs Star News tension not
yet over
• December 19, 2005 Did Akbar Khan assault 'Star' journalist?
• December 19, 2005 Akbar
Khan - Star News tussle goes ahead
• December 15, 2005 Akbar
Khan files police complaint against Star News
• December 14, 2005 Notice to Akbar Khan for alleged torture
of animals
• December 14, 2005 Akbar Khan denies IT raid at house
• December 14, 2005 I-T
sleuths search top film companies PICTURE
• December 8, 2005 Pooja
Batra springs a surprise! PICTURE
• December 5, 2005 "How
else is a marriage consummated if not with kissing and....?"
• December 4, 2005 Working the danger zone
• December 4, 2005 Daughter
inspires Akbar to make 'Taxi Driver'
• December 2, 2005 Clerics train guns on Akbar Khan film
• December 1, 2005 Zulfikar Syed is Akbar Khan's blue-eyed
boy
• November 30, 2005 Akbar Khan to be sued for using animals
in Taj Mahal
• November 26, 2005 Blast from the past
• November 26, 2005 Controversy unnecessary, says director
Akbar Khan
• November 26, 2005 'Taj
Mahal' cast arrives in theater PICTURE
• November 25, 2005 Hoping the best for ageless love
• November 25, 2005 Maneka Gandhi's allegation is ''unwarranted
harassment'': Khan
• November 25, 2005 Maneka Gandhi creating unnecessary
controversy: Akbar Khan
•
November 24, 2005 Prime
Minister bowled by the epic saga Taj Mahal PICTURE
• November 24, 2005 Business Talk - Taj Mahal opened to
a lukewarm start
• November 23, 2005 Wah
Taj or Wah Pooja Batra? PICTURE
• November 21, 2005 Royal
obsession
• November 21, 2005 Taj
Mahal cast arrives in theatre PICTURE
• November 20, 2005 Big is still beautiful for Bollywood
• November 20, 2005 Time
travel PICTURE
• November 19, 2005 A
monument to love PICTURE
• November 19, 2005 Taj
Mahal : l’aventure mise en
livre PICTURE
• November 19, 2005 The
grandeur and aura leaves its impact PICTURE
• November 18, 2005 The 'other' Khans battle it out at
box office
• November 18, 2005 When
love calls...
• November 17, 2005 It's
all in the family this Friday PICTURE
• November 17, 2005 Thank god, good directors didn't forget
me: Manisha
• November 17, 2005 Meet
Akbar Khan's Mumtaj Mahal PICTURE
• November 17, 2005 Akbar rubbishes all controversies
• November 16, 2005 'Taj
Mahal' to release on Nov 18 PICTURE
• November 16, 2005 India's
costliest film premieres this Friday
• November 16, 2005 Akbar
Khan's Mumtaz is happily married PICTURE
• November 15, 2005 Taj Mahal irks animal activists
• November 15, 2005 No
London premiere for Taj Mahal indiadaily
•
November 15, 2005 Akbar
Khan decides against London premiere webindia123
• November 12, 2005 Akbar
Khan's ‘Taj Mahal - An Eternal Love Story' now inspires
a book
• November 11, 2005 After
Aftab, Zulfi is the next casualty PICTURE
• November 11, 2005 'The
Making of Taj Mahal' - Book Release PICTURE
• November 11, 2005 The
Ultimate Romance
• November 11, 2005 Zulfi's
Big Break realizing soon PICTURE
• November 9, 2005 Celina
misses an Oscar nomination PICTURE
• November 9, 2005 Jewellery
designer cries foul against Akbar Khan
• November 8, 2005 Pooja
[Batra] fans in for a royal treat!
• November 8, 2005 Jewellery
designer alleges Akbar Khan played dirty PICTURE
• November 8, 2005 'Making
of Taj Mahal' released webindia123
• November 8, 2005 'Making
of Taj Mahal' released thehindu
• November 8, 2005 Taj
Mahal scripted
• November 7, 2005 Ash’s ‘Taj
Mahal’ being
re-scripted Aishwarya
Rai PICTURE
• November 5, 2005 Akbar Khan's Labour of love
• November 5, 2005 Pooja Batra springs a surprise!
•
November 4, 2005 Manisha's brush with Bengali cinema
•
November 4, 2005 Filmmakers
bring out their sparklers...
• November 4, 2005 Khan versus Khan on Nov. 18
• November 4, 2005 Book
on Taj Mahal
•
November 2, 2005 Coffee
table book prior to release of magnum opus,Taj Mahal sify
• November 2, 2005 Coffee
table book prior to release of magnum opus,Taj Mahal indiafm
• October 28, 2005 Prince
Zulfi
•
October 27, 2005 A
monumental effort
•
October 27, 2005 India’s ‘costliest
film’ to be released on November 18
• October 27, 2005 Taj
Mahal to be released next month hindustantimes
• October 27, 2005 Taj
Mahal to be released next month pti
• October 24, 2005 The
award for the most 'multifaceted' designer goes to...Anna Singh
•
October 23, 2005 'Taj Mahal' to be released on November
18
•
October 18, 2005 And
now a book on Akbar Khan's 'Taj Mahal'... PICTURE
• October 15, 2005 Taj
Mahal: Read it before you watch it
• October 14, 2005 Shahjahan's
dream captured in print PICTURE
• October 12, 2005 ‘Taj
Mahal’ After Diwali, Idd PICTURE
• October 11, 2005 Mariam
Khan's jewellery dazzle PICTURE
•
September 27, 2005 UP
to have tourism policy soon; Mulayam
• September 26, 2005 Indian
cinema ready to shrug off festival failure
• September 25, 2005 Anna's
designs on men
• September 21, 2005 Akbar
Khan to make film on Queen Elizabeth PICTURE [pic offline]
• September 20, 2005 Akbar
Khan's Taj Mahal in Oct'05 PICTURE
• September 20, 2005 Akbar
Khan to make film on the Late Queen Mother? PICTURE
• September 20, 2005 Mumtaz
to Mother PICTURE
• September 19, 2005 Indian
filmmaker says he is planning movie on Britain's late Queen Mother
• September 18, 2005 Akbar
Khan invited to make film on India's last Empress
• September 16, 2005 Akbar Khan invited to make film on
Queen Mother
• September 14, 2005 Distributors refuse to
touch Rs 100-cr film
• September 14, 2005 Taj Mahal to release in October
• September 3, 2005 Waah!
What A Party
• July 31, 2005 Ready-for-release films pile up in Bollywood
• July 22, 2005 Labour
of love PICTURE
• July 22, 2005 Page
3, Saif and Veer-Zaara bag National Awards
• June 25, 2005 Big
bucks, big picture PICTURE
• June 22, 2005 Revival
of historical movies PICTURE
• June 16, 2005 Negar
goes topless in Norway PICTURE
• May 22, 2005 Cannes deluged
by Bollywood babes
• May 20, 2005 Bollywood
storms Cannes Film Festival
• May 20, 2005 Tajmahal's
world premiere in July PICTURE
• May 16, 2005 Magic
peek into 'tear on the face of eternity' PICTURE
• May 5, 2005 Dressing...up
a Dynasty PICTURE
• May 5, 2005 Now,
film diplomacy grips Indo-Pak ties
• April 30, 2005 Dream
run with designs (Anna Singh) PICTURE
•
April 16, 2005 Romance
behind Taj Mahal recreated in movie PICTURE incl. quote from Kabir
• March 24, 2005 Akbar
Khan's Taj Mahal crosses the Rs.50 crore budget mark!
• March 18, 2005 Music
of Akbar Khan's 'Taj Mahal' released
• March 17, 2005 Taj
Mahal music launched in style -
incl. link to movie stills, also with Kabir
• March 17, 2005 Music
of Akbar Khan's Taj Mahal released
•
March 16, 2005 Audio
launch of Taj Mahal - many pictures
• March 15, 2005 Royalty
recreated at Taj Mahal music release! - incl. link
to movie stills, also with Kabir
•
March 15, 2005 Akbar
Khan's Taj Mahal music launch
• February 25, 2005 Negar's
historical cameo
• July 23, 2004 Final
battle for Taj Mahal fought near Jaipur
• July 22, 2004 Another epic in the offing by Akbar Khan
• July 22, 2003 Which
Taj Mahal would you like to see?
• July 18, 2003 History
resurrected PICTURE
• July 18, 2003 Akbar
Khan's big day PICTURE
• July 17, 2003 Marble
marvels
• July 14, 2003 Taj
Mahal-Will it be Akbar Khan's swansong?
• July 11, 2003 Romancing
the Taj PICTURE Kabir on set
• June 18, 2003 Hollywood
turns to India for inspiration PICTURE
• June 17, 2003 Taj
Mahal marches ahead PICTURE
• June 14, 2003 Taj
Mahal 21-day schedule complete PICTURE
• June 12, 2003 Taj
is no picnic... PICTURE
• June 10, 2003 Inside
Akbar's Taj Mahal... PICTURE
• June 7, 2003 Taj
Mahal makes progress!
• May 12, 2003 New
song recorded for Akbar Khan's Taj Mahal PICTURE
• May 9, 2003 Two
songs for Taj Mahal PICTURE
• May 2, 2003 More
progress on Taj Mahal!
"I
feel more connected with Bollywood now." Kabir
Bedi interview/PICTURE Kabir
• March 10, 2003 Taj
Mahal progresses nicely!
• February 27, 2003 Taj
Mahal...14-day schedule in progress PICTURE
• February 18, 2003 I
wanted Ash as Mumtaz Mahal PICTURE
• February 14, 2003 Taj
Mahal's mid-year release!
• February 7, 2003 Bollywood's
bent on making history!
• February 7, 2003 Taj
Mahal.An Eternal Love Story news flash
• February 5, 2003 Eternal
love Story progresses PICTURE
• January 10, 2003 Taj
Mahal news flash
• January 3, 2003 Taj
Mahal...16-day schedule in Jodhpur PICTURE
• January 1, 2003 Akbar
Khan's Taj Mahal.An Eternal Love Story progressing PICTURE
• December 24, 2002 Sonia,
well worth the wait
• December 20, 2002 Taj
Mahal
• December 16, 2002 Taj
Mahal...Plans unveiled
• November 29, 2002 Yesteryears
singer-actress Noorjahan's grand-daughter to play Mumtaz Mahal PICTURE
• November 29, 2002 Noor
Jehan's grand daughter plays Mumtaz Mahal
• November 26, 2002 Taj
Mahal now a celluloid dream
• November 23, 2002 It's
bank finance for Taj Mahal PICTURE
• October 23, 2002 Walking
into the 'big' league PICTURE
• October 2002 Akbar
the Great & his Taj Mahal! PICTURE Kabir with
Akbar Khan
• September 9, 2002 Taj
ki taaza khabar PICTURE
• August 28, 2002 The
fifth schedule for the movie is completed!
• before July 25, 2002 News
and Happenings in Bollywood - Akbar Khan's secret! PICTURE
• July 5, 2002 Great
minds think alike? PICTURE
• June 26, 2002 Akbar
Khan's secret PICTURE
• June 24, 2002 Akbar
Khan is in full form
• June 24, 2002 Akbar
Khan is gearing up for the 4th schedule of his colossal historical
• June 14, 2002 Taj
Mahal nearing completion PICTURE
• June 14, 2002 South-African
Indian writes screenplay for Taj Mahal PICTURE
• June 10, 2002 Taj
Mahal making brisk progess PICTURE
• June 4, 2002 Days
of the Taj PICTURE
• April 26, 2002 Taj
Mahal.An Eternal Love Story 18-day stint in Jodhpur
• April 18, 2002 Eternal
love story PICTURE
• April 8, 2002 Monument
of love now on celluloid PICTURE Kabir/stars
on set
• March 31, 2002 Akbar
Khan's Magnum Opus rolls
• March 20, 2002 Yanni
to be signed for Akbar Khan's Taj Mahal
• March 18, 2002 The
Biggest
• March 14, 2002 Fatima
Meer's script for Taj Mahal to create history PICTURE
• March 8, 2002 Talk
of the town
• February 22, 2002 Akbar
Khan launches historical Taj Mahal
• February 14, 2002 Akbar
Khan's magnum opus gets on floor at Jodhpur Fort PICTURE
• February 10, 2002 Manisha
to play Jahan Ara in Akbar Khan's Taj Mahal PICTURE
• February 9, 2002 Manisha,
Arbaaz: Romancing the stone PICTURE
• February 9, 2002 Wah
Taj! PICTURE
• February 8, 2002 Grand
Mahurat for Akbar Khan's Taj Mahal
• January 11, 2002 Akbar
Khan tribute to Taj Mahal
• August 22, 2001 Taj
Mahal epic begins production
• August 21, 2001 Kabir
to play Shah Jehan in Akbar Khan's Taj Mahal PICTURE Kabir
• After
five Bhagat Singhs, it's now three Taj Mahals PICTURE
STARS
•
Pooja Batra -
official homepage
• Pooja
Batra at apunkachoice.com
• Second
honeymoon for Batra babe
• Wedding
bells for Batra babe
• Pooja
all set to tie the nuptial knot!
• Aly
Khan: In the flesh
• Manisha
Koirala at apunkachoice.com
• Taj
is no picnic... Kim Sharma interview
• You have got to be practical: Arbaaz Khan
TAJ MAHAL
• Taj
Mahal in Agra, India
• Taj
Mahal - monuments of India
•
Taj Mahal -
online virtual tour - with acoustics
• Taj
Mahal - building
• design
and layout of Taj Mahal
• Taj
Mahal pictures
• Taj
should be preserved well, says a worried UNESCO
• Taj
Mahal fends off developers
• The
Taj Mahal, and India's history, left to rot
• Taj
Mahal - more probes ordered
•
Tatas
to the rescue of the Taj
•
Taj
Mahal - is Tejomahalay, a Hindu Temple - kontroversial thesis
THE MUGHAL RULERS
•
Mughal
descendants fight legal battle for recognition
• India's
former Mughals now a forgotten footnote
• Timeline
India
• chronology
of Mughal Kings
• Jain
splendour in Mughal town of Fatehpur Sikri |
| |
|
|
| INFORMATION -
QUICK BITS |
• in May 2003 a Mumbai
theatre put on a performance of Ajai Shukla's comedy 'Taj
Mahal Ka Tender', directed by Salim Arif. In the play, Moghul
ruler Shah Jahan lives in the present day. He has decided
to build a memorial to his beloved. But before construction
work could start, he has had to fill in countless applications
for planning permission and other red tape. Now the big wait
for the authorities to make up their minds has begun... Movie
star Rakesh Bedi (not related to Kabir)
played the Shah.
[Andrea's note: I would have loved to see
this version of the Taj Mahal story!]
• Taj Mahal is the most expensive film in the history
of Indian cinema, according to director Khan
• 245 days of shooting
• 22 elaborate sets
• 100,000 candles and more than 150,000 metres of fabric
were used in the movie
• original armour was recreated in fibreglass
• jewellery designer Tejas Jogani created the opulent
jewels used in the movie
• a jewellery item called Mother of Pearls
which has been made 10 times for the film plays an important part in the story
of Taj Mahal
• the starring roles, played eventually by newcomers, were cast after 300
auditions had been held
• many scenes consist of a combination of real shooting,
special effects and computer graphics
• Taj Mahal is being 50 percent financed by the well-known Bank of Baroda,
which so far has financed only TV productions. This is the bank's first foray
into film.
• a large number of scenes from the movie are being shot by a team of 400
people on location in Rajasthan.
• a black stallion was flown over from the UK especially for the shooting.
• the weapons and armour for the battle scenes were made in a subterranean
workshop under the fort.
• in a historic first for the Indian movie industry, Taj Mahal saw a second "mahurat" ceremony,
a ritual usually performed only once, in which - among other celebrations -
a
coconut
is
split
before
shooting
starts.
• in 1959 a movie titled "Taj
Mahal",
director:
Shri
Mushir Ahmed, was shown in the competition section at the Cannes Film Festival. |
|
| INFORMATION -
CONTENT |
• Some quotes from
the movie:
• Kabir,
his very first words: "What news, Jahan Ara?" [to
his screen daughter]
• "Along the silent banks of the river Yamuna...in
Agra..." [voice over, very first words of the movie]
• Kabir,
to his son Aurangzeb: "Am I no more to you than a prisoner?"
• Kabir,
to his favourite daughter and fellow prisoner Jahan Ara: "...the
window...It's a mirror of my memories..."
• Kabir:
"I still remember you, Mumtaz, every time I see the Taj."
• Kabir to
his daughter Jahan Ara about his life with her mother Mumtaz
Mahal: "Those 15 years of my life were the happiest!"
• Prince Khurram's very first words to Arjumand Begum:
"I bring you love's message." [song]
• Arjumand about Prince Khurram: "His name I
never asked, his face I won't forget."
• Laadili to Arjumand, in a menacing voice: "Don't
attempt to reach for the moon!"
• Prince Khurram to Arjumand: "When our love is
pure, why fear for the world?"
• Prince Khurram: "My love is worthier than many a
kingdom!"
• Prince Khurram to Queen Noorjahan: "Your protection,
I dread most!"
•
younger brother Sharyar about Prince Khurram: "Men have lived
for love - here's one dying for it!"
•
The movie has scenes
of a beheading (check promo-trailers) and other executions;
Sarmad, an influential sufi saint questions the authority
of Emperor
Aurangzeb
and
is beheaded.
•
Kabir's Shah
Jahan has beautiful Persian shawls in his wardrobe, which
is also equipped with garments
in 72 different shades of (mourning colour) white, bearing
patchwork in Mughal motifs.
• Famous designer Anna Singh spent over a year researching
the costumes, she was both inspired and informed by Mughal
era miniature paintings and books.
• Designer/stylist Anna Singh made about 1,000 costumes.
• The fashion-conscious Mughal-dynasty:
Young Prince Khurram is fond of his hunting outfits.
Aurangzeb, much maligned, often wears the colour green.
Conceited Jahangir likes to wear jewels - a lot!
Jahangir's most favourite garment is the 'Nadiri',
a kind of jacket,
which he often gives as a present to his associates.
Laadli Begum, impish and spoilt, prefers finely spun garments.
Noor Jahan doesn't wear conventional Mughal-fashion but long robes in European-style
designs,
influenced by her contacts to the British.
Jahan Ara, in her role as a go-between, negotiating between
Shah
Jahan
and
Aurangzeb,
wears designs in minimal yet sophisticated fashion.
Aurjaman Bano (through her marriage with Prince Khurram she will be
'Mumtaz
Mahal') wears a subtly elegant look which uses brocades, organza and jaali weave
patterns.
As Mumtaz Mahal her style changes, she wears an even more regal style of pure
silks,
gold-embroidery in resham patterns, zari gold/silver-embroideries
and Persian zardozi patterns, embroidered with semi-precious stones
like emeralds and rubies.
•
After Shah Jahan's
(Kabir)
death, his final journey into Heaven is rumoured to be
filmed with the use of spectacular special effects!
• Shah Jahan means 'ruler of the world'.
• Shah Jahan's beloved wife was called Arjumand Banu Begum, but became
known as 'Mumtaz Mehal' after his coronation in 1628 - meaning 'The Chosen
One of the Palace'.
• Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal (aged 21) married in 1612 - the time was
chosen by astrologers - and had 14 children in the 18 years of their marriage.
• Mumtaz Mahal often accompanied her husband on his military campaigns.
• On one of these months-long military expeditions, 39-year-old Mumtaz
died on June 16, 1631, near Burhanpur, while giving birth to her 14th child.
• Shah Jahan is said to have suffered such grief over her death that his
hair turned grey overnight.
• Queen Noorjahan, a scheming and influential individual, is said to have
invented rose water. She was also an expert rider and archer.
• Construction work on the Taj Mahal mausoleum and ancillary buildings
lasted until 1653, with 20,000 workers. Shah Jahan personally was closely involved
in the planning, execution and supervision of the project - which was unusual
for a
ruler.
• Action director Sham Kaushal filmed the great battle of Samugarh
in several parts of India and Uzbekistan.
3000 people re-enacted the battle,
119
junior artists took part in filming the battle sequences (in close-ups).
He used hundreds of horses, elephants
and camels for the re-enactment
of the spectacular
battle scenes.
The fierce battle took place on May 29, 1658, on the sandy plains of Samugarh,
eight miles east of Agra. More than 2,000 warriors, including many who saw battle
for the first time, were involved, The battle was part of a war of succession
that erupted between Shah Jahan's sons Dara, Shah Shudsha, Aurangseb and Murad
even while their father was still alive.
According to eyewitness reports, it was so
hot
during
the
battle
that
the soldiers suffered blisters under their heavy body armour.
Murad's armoured tank atop of an elephant looked
like a porcupine because of the many arrows that were stuck in it. The armour
was kept as a memento in the Delhi
Fort for many years.
• On location at the Meherangarh fort in Rajasthan, the rooms of the Taj
Mahal were reconstructed as well as the interior of the Agra fort and major rooms
of the Moghul palace at Fatehpur Sikri, for instance Akbar's 'Diwan-e-khas',
the 'Hall of Private Audience', an architectural gem. The high room contains
a single column, with a platform linked to balconies on the wall by four graceful
bridges. On top of the column is Shah Jahan's throne, where he sat every day
except Fridays
to give private audiences and attend debates on matters of state.
Today, Fatehpur Sikri is the best preserved ghost city in the world, in the sense
that the word "city" is now only the fort and the palace. The rest
of the once sprawling town was near the bottom of the hill on which the fort
was
perched,
and today only the city walls remain intact. |
|
| INFORMATION -
PEOPLE |
• Sonya Jahan is
making her acting debut in a starring role in Taj Mahal.
She is the granddaughter of the famous Indian actress and
singer
Noorjahan.
• Sonia Rizvi took the nom d'artiste of Sonya Jahan in
honour of her grandmother.
• Sonya Jahan inherited both her grandmother's beauty
and her voice, and will be performing some of the songs in Taj Mahal herself,
which is unusual for Bollywood.
• Sonya Jahan was just sitting her textile designer exams
at London's St Martin's School of Arts, when Akbar Khan signed her up for the
leading part of Mumtaz Mahal.
• Zulfikar Sayed, who plays the younger Shah Jahan, will
appear on the big screen shortly before the Taj Mahal premiere, playing Varun
in
Shona Urvashi's comedy Chupke Se, which is scheduled for release in the autumn
of 2003.
• Zulfikar Sayed does look like a younger Kabir -
the director was looking for someone who looked like the lead man in his younger
years.
• Handsome Zulfikar Sayed was voted 'Mister Gladrags'
in 1997, grabbing the title in an annual Indian modelling contest.
• Zulfikar Sayed and Kabir share
a hobby: cookery. Zulfikar likes to cook Italian food, including pizzas and pasta.
• Asked if today's public still appreciates historical films, Zulfikar
Sayed said: "There's a whole new wave of such films about to take
the Indian public by storm. In this film we've tried to capture the whole essence
of the Mughal era."
• Manisha Koirala plays Shah Jahan's daughter, Princess
Jahan Ara, who supported her father until the day he died.
• Manisha Koirala on Taj Mahal: "I loved the role of Jahan
Ara. It is a very interesting character. I basically worked a lot on my body
language and the costumes and Akbar (Khan) was of great help. I must say he is
a very passionate director. He is a very pleasant human being to start with.
People may question the relevance of the Mughals in the contemporary context,
but I think they still are very significant to our lives."
• Arbaaz Ali plays his first movie role in Taj Mahal.
He is Jahangir, Shah Jahan's father. Arbaaz Ali says about his
part that Jahangir is a complex personality and a hopeless romantic, and has
a good sense of humour, which makes him loveable.
• Director Akbar Khan is the youngest brother of Bollywood
stars Feroz Khan and Sanjay Khan.
• Akbar Khan established his reputation with his sweeping
historical dramas on TV, including one about Moghul ruler Akbar the Great.
• Akbar Khan confirmed in interviews in February and July
2003 that he had considered Aishwarya Rai for the part of Mumtaz Mahal, but decided
to engage Sonya Jahan because of scheduling problems and because
he wanted a fresh face.
• Akbar Khan will be using the expensive Taj Mahal set
again for two TV series about the life of the last of the Moghul rulers, Bahadur
Shah Zafar, who died in 1861, and also for a TV miniseries about the Moghul era.
• The famous Bollywood
designer Anna Singh made the gorgeous Moghul-era
(1592-1700) costumes for the movie after more than a year
of research. Her massive research for the project has made
her
an expert on
period costumes.
• A record: So far, Anna Singh has designed
costumes for more than 600 movies of the Indian film industry.
• Akbar Khan's brief to costume designer Anna
Singh for the female lead 'Mumtaz Mahal' was: 'sheer
beauty'.
• South African civil rights activist and sociologist Fatima Meer co-authored
the script for the movie. She is well know for the Nelson Mandela biography "Higher
Than Hope" and also wrote the script for "The Making of the Mahatma",
a film
about Mahatma Gandhi's days in South Africa.
• Anna Singh has won in August 2007 the National Award
for
designing
the costumes of Akbar Khan’s period drama Taj
Mahal.An Eternal Love Story. Anna shares the National Award with
designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee for Black.
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| INFORMATION -
PRODUCTION DIARY |
»August 21,
2001 - Kabir is
to play the lead part of the older Shah Jahan, but who
will play the female lead of Mumtaz Mahal has not yet
been decided. The movie is shot in Hindi and dubbed in
English. Shooting is mostly at the Meharangarh fort in
Jodhpur. At great expense, 100 workers spend four months
reconstructing the opulent rooms of the Moghul palaces,
the Red Fort and parts of the Taj Mahal. The original
rooms are decorated with coloured mosaics; the walls
are covered with emeralds and sapphires, and the doors
with silver and gold. The mass scenes (battles and building
work) are filmed with the help of a technical crew from
the US. Shooting is to begin on October 10, 2001 and
last six months.
»September 7, 2001 - A total of 20
sets have been planned at the Jodhpur fort, including one
that mimics the interior of the Taj Mahal.
»January 11, 2002 - For half a year, workers
and two movie experts have been building 10 huge film sets
at the Meherangarh fort. On February 7, 2002 the shooting - still
planned to last six months - is due to start. Veteran composer
Naushad has already recorded two songs for the film on location
in Jodhpur.
»February 7, 2002 - Today is the mahurat ceremony,
which is always performed at the start of shooting for a Bollywood
film. Gaj Singh, the Maharadja of Jodhpur, takes part in the
event. To give those present a feel for life in the Moghul era,
musicians play the mukhda (the first part of a composition
in Indian classical music) of a film song composed by Naushad.
A dramatic moment in the life of the old Shah Jahan is chosen
for the mahurat scene
(with Kabir!):
in despair, he begs his daughter, Princess Jahan Ara, for help.
She must
persuade her warring brother Aurangzeb not to attack the Agra
Fort, where Shah Jahan is living, but let him live in peace.
In exchange, Shah Jahan offers his son Aurangzeb his entire empire.
»March 8, 2002 - The internationally renowned Greek composer Yanni
(Yiannis Chrysomalis, who had a relationship with Dynasty star Linda Evans in
the 1990s)
is hired to compose further music for the film.
»April 8, 2002 - In an interview, Akbar Khan quotes former
US
President Bill Clinton, who visited the Taj Mahal on March 22, 2000: "The
world is divided into two - those who have seen the Taj. And those who would
like to see the Taj." In
the English version of the film, there are to be no song and dance acts, but
only film music.
»April 26, 2002 - Another 18-day round of shooting begins in Jodhpur.
»June 4, 2002 - Commenting on the fact there are several Taj Mahal
films being shot at the same time, director Akbar Khan says he has announced
his movie two and a half years ago. His film is a work of fiction set against
a historical background.
»Summer 2002 - Eight reels for the film have been completed.
»June 14, 2002 - Three rounds of shooting have been completed.
Visitors to the set report that all the actors, including Kabir,
are very keen to work, despite the extreme heat in the desert state of Rajasthan
in the run up to the monsoon. As soon as a scene is finished, they take refuge
in the huge, air-conditioned tents that have been rented for the occasion, and
where they can also enjoy the delights of the traditional Moghul cuisine. Planet
Bollywood reports today that Taj Mahal is to be released for the big screen by
the end of 2002.
»before August 7, 2002 - 12 reels of film have been completed.
»August 10, 2002 - Final day of the fifth round of shooting, which
began on July 25, 2002. Kabir shot
the spectacular scenes showing Shah Jahan's ascent into Heaven after his death.
Four hundred workers erect another huge set. Kabir and
the other main actors also shot other dramatic scenes. The names of the two lead
actors still have not been made public.
»September 2, 2002 - The shooting is progressing apace... Kabir shoots
more scenes at the Jodhpur location these first days of September. The new release
date is February 2003.
»September 9, 2002 - The Mumbai paper Mid-Day says 40% of the
film is ready, with the premiere scheduled for April
2003.
»before October 2002 - In a long interview with the Dubai
magazine Tele Life, Akbar Khan reveals more background information and details
about Taj Mahal. He says the film will also be dubbed in Arabic. On his choice
of Kabir for the part of Shah Jahan
he says: "To find an actor to play the role of Emperor Shahjahan was the most
difficult to cast. Many people wanted me to sign Amitabh (Bachchan) for the role,
but with due respect to him, I didn't think so. I wanted an actor who could create
that aura, and there wasn't a better choice than Kabir
Bedi."
»October 2002 - Kabir tells
me that the premiere is still being planned for February 2003 and will be accompanied
by a major publicity drive. On October 28, 2002, Kabir returns
to India from the UK to continue shooting for his various projects. Until January
2003, he will also be on the sets of Taj Mahal, including Fort Meherangarh.
»October 23, 2002 - Deeply impressed, journalist Dale
Bhagwagar returns from the shooting at Fort Meherangarh. He is overwhelmed
not only by the set, the costumes and the dramatic script, but also by Akbar
Khan's qualities as a visionary director with enormous attention for detail.
The reporter says that with such passionate film makers, India can compete
very well on the international entertainment market.
»November 23, 2002 - Taj Mahal is half
ready, and early February 2003 is the new release date. The
two main actors still have not been named in public.
»November 26, 2002 - At a highly unusual
second mahurat -
the ritual to mark the beginning of work
on an Indian film - at the Meherangarh fort, Akbar Khan introduces
the stars who will be playing the young Shah Jahan and Mumtaz
Mahal. Former model Zulfikar Sayed (or Syed) will make his
debut in a starring role as (younger) Shah Jahan and Sonyajahan
from London will be his favourite wife. Kabir says
at the press conference that Taj Mahal has the potential to
be a film for the world, not just a film for India. After being
dubbed into English, Taj Mahal will be the first-ever Bollywood
production to premiere simultaneously in India, Holllywood
and worldwide.
»December 16, 2002 - Sonya Jehan, the granddaughter
of Bollywood's legendary singer Noorjahan, who acted in many a Bollywood
classic, will also be singing in Taj Mahal. She has her grandmother's
voice.
»December 20, 2003 - Another four-week
shooting session has been completed on the Jodhpur set.
»January 3, 2003 - Akbar Khan is
scheduled to start another 16-day session on January 6,
2003, in which Kabir will
play dramatic and romantic scenes. Lead actors Zulfikar
and Sonya Jehan will be shooting major scenes together
as the royal lovers, while some 400 extras are being hired.
The global premiere is now scheduled for mid-2003.
»before February 10, 2003 - 14 reels
of the film are now ready.
»February 14, 2003 - The premiere
is still scheduled for mid-2003.
»February 21, 2003 - Another filming
schedule begins in Jodhpur, to be completed on March
6, 2003, with
dramatic and romantic scenes involving the main stars,
as well as some action scenes at the fort.
»March 4, 2003 - Pooja Batra, who
plays the scheming Queen Noorjahan, returns to the Jodhpur
set from her honeymoon, with her new husband at her side.
»March 12, 2003 - Kabir says
in an interview that Taj Mahal is one of many movies he is currently working
on.
»before April 12, 2003 - 15 reels of the film are now ready.
»May 9, 2003 - Two new Taj Mahal songs, for the young
couple and for Ladili Begum, are being recorded at the Spectral Harmony Studio
in Andheri, a Mumbai suburb, by composer Naushad and his assistant Uttam Singh.
Hariharan and Preeti Uttam are the performers.
»June 8, 2003 - Today is the last
day of the 21-day shooting session that began on May 19.
At the Meherangarh fort and in Nagod, Jodhpur, the actors
are shooting Shah Jehan and Mumtaz' first encounter on the
Mughal-era Meena Bazaar, with 500 extras and dancers. A song
sequence with the young couple is also being filmed. The
premiere is now scheduled for October 2003.
»July 11, 2003 - Akbar Khan says in
an interview that modern romantic films often lack depth of
feeling and attention to detail. He is convinced that
"people are fed up of shallow films" and that the
trend to look back to the glorious past
will continue for a long time, even in Hollywood.
»July 14, 2003 - The 15 months
of shooting for Taj Mahal are nearing their end. They
are now to be completed at end-July or early August,
after which the movie will go into a long period of post
production. Akbar Khan is confident the movie will be
well received
by
the public. Moviegoers will treasure the love story,
the set, the costumes and the stars, but also Naushad's
wonderful music.
»July 17, 2003 - In an interview
with Sonia Chopra, Akbar Khan says he was inspired to
make the movie by a visit to the Taj Mahal 10 years ago.
Looking for an actor to play the young Shah Jahan, Akbar
Khan and his wife Mariam found pictures of Zulfikar Sayed
on the internet, researched his work for TV, and made
a few trial shots. Akbar Khan had already worked with
Fatima Meer, the scriptwriter, for the South African
TV station SABC and has such a personal relationship
with her that he regards her as a kind of mother. The
movie is based on historical fact, but has been freely
interpreted, Khan says. For instance, there are written
sources that Shah Jahan loved Mumtaz Mahal, but there
are no details on their courtship. The film will also
examine Mumtaz Mahal's relationship with Noorjehan's
brother
and Shah Jahan's enormous personal involvement in the
construction of the mausoleum. As in previous interviews,
Khan mentions that special effects at the end of the
movie, when Kabir/Shah
Jahan ascends into heaven. He will also give form to
Shah Jahan's dying wish that a second Taj Mahal be built
in black marble to be his own mausoleum, linked to Mumtaz'
tomb by a silver footbridge. Taj Mahal is now 75 percent
ready, and will hopefully premiere in October 2003.
Because of a personal matter, Kabir has
to cancel his appearance at Akbar Khan's birthday party and promotional event
in Mumbai. However, Taj Mahal stars Zulfikar Sayed and Kim Sharma as well as
some members of the large Khan clan turn up to congratulate the director. Akbar
Khan says in another interview that the film will also be dubbed into Japanese
and Chinese. In contrast to other stories appearing today, the premiere date
is named as the second week of December 2003.
»August 5, 2003 - Final day of a
10-day shooting session, one of the last before the film
goes into lengthy post-production. Kabir was
also set to be involved in this session, as he told me
in July. The premiere is still set for December 2003.
»August 7, 2003 - Kabir tells
me that shooting is progressing well. Although he
says the premiere might be delayed until the beginning
of next year, work is still feverishly continuing
to have the film ready for release in December 2003.
»before September 6, 2003 - 16 reels
of the film are now ready.
»before May 11, 2004 - 17 reels are
completed.
»July 22, 2004 - Director
Khan films a few last battle scenes for
Taj Mahal in the sandy plain of Samode, about 40 km from
Jaipur in Rajasthan. Many elephants and horses are used by
about 200 soldiers to re-enact the decisive battle of Samugar.
It was fought on May 29, 1658.
More than 2,000 warriors, including many who saw battle
for the first time, were involved, The battle was part of a war of succession
that erupted between Shah Jahan's sons Dara, Shah Shudsha, Aurangseb and Murad
even while their father was still alive.
Action director Sham Kaushal (of Asoka, Lakshya fame)
directs all battle scenes for Taj Mahal. The scenes are quite difficult to film
because of the heat in the Rajasthan desert. The scenes concentrate
on the main protagonists, crown princes Aurangzeb
and Dara Shikoh. Arbaaz Khan who plays
Aurangzeb, says in an interview: "It is hot and when one wears this
attire it adds to it. But when you play a character like Aurangzeb the comfort
that you need to have with your horse, it adds to your character." Kabir does
not participate in these battle scenes.
The worldwide
release of Taj Mahal is scheduled for October 2004.
»January 7, 2005 - According to Indiafm, Taj Mahal is
expected in February 2005.
»February 25, 2005 - Persian sexy actress
Negar
Khan
stars as 'Princess Kandahari' in a Taj Mahal item song, according to indiafm.
»March 16, 2005 - Release of Taj Mahal audio CD (soundtrack)
today
in Mumbai at a party at the ITC Grand Central Sheraton, with a set depicting
a section of the Taj Mahal and
recreating
the
Mughal
Era
atmosphere.
Main
stars Zulfi Sayed and Sonia Jehan - and many others - are expected at the party.
Kabir
can't attend it because he is rehearsing in London for his
musical THE FAR PAVILIONS.
There is also a live orchestra conducted by Taj composer Naushad, also title
track
'Mumtaz Tujhe Dekha To Taj Mahal Dekha' etc.
-
today new release
date of Taj Mahal published: May 2005.
»March 17, 2005 - After the party, director Akbar Khan "expressed
[his] regret that Kabir Bedi, who
plays the older Emperor Shah Jahan could not be present as he was shooting for
his
musical THE FAR PAVILIONS,
in London."
»March 24, 2005 - Keralanext publishes a new release date:
August 27, 2005.
»April 5, 2005 - Taj Mahal.An Eternal Love Story will
be released on June 3, 2005 - according to indiafm today.
»April 16, 2005 - Channel News Asia reports another release
date: late April 2005. The article also mentions and quotes Kabir: "Actor
Kabir Bedi, who plays the aging
Emperor Shahjahan in the movie, feels 'Taj Mahal'
has a greater appeal. "It is time a great film on the
Taj Mahal was made. Everyone knows the Taj Mahal, everyone knows there is a
great love story behind the Taj Mahal. But not everyone
knows what that story is. So this is the most natural and
beautiful story for India to make," he said."
»April 20, 2005 - The film's soundtrack
is now being accompanied by a trailer which shows the first
scenes so far to be released. There are many tender shots
in pastel shades of the famous lovers
embracing, of Mumtaz on the Peacock Throne holding
a rose, of Shah Jahan shooting off an arrow on horseback,
of the couple on a river boat, of
a veiled Mumtaz in the evening light, of the major
battle in the heat of the desert, Mumtaz's body on her
dying bed, and of the mausoleum at night. [ see STILLS ]
»May 5, 2005 - Speaking about his
mega-project Taj Mahal, Kabir
told Kabir-Bedi.com a few days ago
that director Akbar Khan has not yet signed a distribution
agreement, "although
there are many offers on the table." Kabir
still thinks the film will premiere
this summer, although not in early June, as previously
reported. According
to the Indian newspaper The Economic Times today, Akbar
Khan is currently in talks with the Pakistani government
to secure permission for Taj Mahal to be shown
in the country's cinema theatres to coincide with its worldwide
premiere "June-end" as
he put it, despite a 40-year-old ban on Indian films in
Pakistan!
Akbar Khan said: "The film’s worldwide
release has been planned for June-end. We are negotiating
with
Pakistani officials for a simultaneous release." The
film will be shot exclusively by Indian actors, and it
may help Khan's case that Sonia Rizvi, the granddaughter
of legendary Pakistani singer Noor Jehan, plays the female
lead in Taj Mahal. Noor Jehan died in
December 2000. Taj Mahal was shot in Hindi but
there are plans for it to be dubbed into English and
Arabic. Irfan Khan's 'Bullet, Ek Dhamaka', shot in Bulgaria
and
financed by a Bulgarian producer, is the first Indian film
already to be shown in several cinemas in Karachi and Lahore.
Taj Mahal and Gurinder Chaddha's international success
'Bride & Prejudice' may well follow in its footsteps.
Despite the ban on Indian films, Pakistani movie fans are
usually
extremely well informed about Bollywood, and
there is a lively trade in pirated copies. If Indian films
were to be legally shown in Pakistani cinemas, it would
give the country's own movie industry
the commercial boost it has been looking for for many years.
»May 6, 2005 - New release date
will be July 1, 2005, according to Indiafm.
»May 16, 2005 - Director
Akbar Khan at the Cannes Film Festival in an exclusive
interview with Calcutta daily The Telegraph: "We are
planning a worldwide release at the end of July."
A premiere, with stars present, is also planned in London, at the Odeon cinema
at Leicester Square, often the venue for gala-premieres of Hollywood-movies.
»May 17, 2005 - Taj Mahal will be
shown today at 8:30pm in Palais
D in a screening, for specially invited guests only, at the
58th Festival de Cannes (May 11 to 22, 2005) - for the very
first time, in a 160-minutes version.
»May 19, 2005 - A second screening
today at 06:00pm, Riviera 4, 170-minutes version.
»May 20, 2005 - According to smashits.com,
director Khan "says that the people all over the world have
shown interest in his movie." "The movie...will release throughout
the world in July this year."
»May 22, 2005 - Amit Roy (MidDay.com)
"very much enjoyed Akbar Khan's Taj Mahal." He reports from
Cannes: "Probably, this is a movie which will do better with
the masses rather than with scholars of Urdu or Mughal history
- though Akbar claims his film is historically accurate. I
don’t know who Zulfikar Syed is but he turned
in a brilliant performance as Prince Khurram (the young
Shah Jehan). Some of the music was wonderful, too. Manisha
Koirala, who plays Jahanara, confirmed the high opinion I
have had of her as an actress ever since I saw
her in Bombay. I know the poor girl gets a lot of stick
over her alleged drinking problems but there is something
fine and quite lovely about her screen presence. I saw
the film in Palais D, which has a small screen. This is a
big movie which would look magnificent on a giant
screen. No doubt others will quibble but I loved the sound
of Urdu mixed with so much Persian. Whether, like Mughal-e-Azam,
Akbar’s movie becomes
a classic remains to be seen but I have resolved that when
I return to London, I will reread my Mughal history."
»June 22, 2005 - According to smashits.com,
director Akbar Khan's next movie will also have a historical
subject, it will be about 'Queen Mom', late mother of the
current British Queen.
»June 25, 2005 - Akbar Khan says
in an interview with The Hindu that the movie will not
have "stagey characters throwing their hands
about dramatically".
»July 15, 2005 - Kabir confirms
that there's not yet a release date. Kabir thinks
the film will premiere perhaps in September/October this
year.
»July 22, 2005 - Akbar Khan celebrates
his birthday (July 18) this year quietly amidst family
and friends as his epic Taj Mahal is now scheduled to be
released on August
26.
»July 31, 2005 - According to IANS, "Taj
Mahal, a period film on the Mughal monument, tops
the list in this category [of "a slew of pictures of not-so-hot
stars and by lesser-known filmmakers, languishing in
the cans]. The film by producer-director
Akbar Khan is yet to finalise a release date. Even the
promos of the film starring Zulfikar, Sonya Jehan, Manisha
Koirala, Kabir Bedi, Pooja Batra, Arbaaz Khan, Arbaaz Ali
and Kim Sharma have run out of steam on television and
were taken off."
»September 14, 2005 - Director Khan
confirms in interviews the October 28 release date which Kabir mentioned
end of July.
»September 16, 2005 - Gala premieres
planned in Mumbai, London and New York on release date
October 28, 2005.
»September 18, 2005 - According
to The Hindu: release on October 28, galas planned in Mumbai,
London and New York.
»September 20, 2005 - Glamsham.com
reports Khan's planned release dates: international release
on October 20
and British
release on October 28 [sic!]. However, Kabir confirms
that these dates are no longer correct. Release planned
around late October/early November.
»October 4, 2005 - Taj Mahal international
release now planned for mid-November 2005.
»October 12, 2005 - Release planned
after Diwali and Idd.
»October 13, 2005 - Available now! Kabir (eight
excellent pictures) starring in THE
BOOK!!! "Taj
Mahal.The Making of a Motion Picture" by
Suresh Kohli,
128 pages, lavishly illustrated, including
many movie stills, published by Om Books International,
New Delhi, ISBN 8187107448. The book launch took this evening
place in Delhi. Kabir is
not able to attend the party as he is in London.
»October 27, 2005 - According to
PTI and Hindustan Times, Taj Mahal
"is likely to hit theatres in November this year".
GG2 reports that the film will be released on
November 18, 2005 in India and UK. According to the Hindustan
Times report, the movie will be dubbed in English for the
North American market and sub-titled for Europe. Taj Mahal
will also be dubbed in Persian and Arabic.
»November 7, 2005 - A second book
launch is held, this time in the Oxford Book Store in Mumbai.
Kabir does
not attend this event either as he is in London.
»November 14, 2005 - "[Taj
Mahal] has very good music, very stunning roles by Kabir
Bedi and Sonya Jahan!"-"...in
Taj Mahal I think songs are the
best..."-"...I think the film holds only because of the main character Kabir
Bedi!" - Lalit Mohan Joshi,
BBC4 radio.
»November 15, 2005 - Director/producer Khan has decided
against a gala premiere in London, according to webindia123 today.
»November 16, 2005 - Gala premiere
in Mumbai, attended by many stars, including Kabir. Son
Adam and daughter Pooja also attend the event at the IMAX
Wadala cinema complex. Also spotted: Suzanne Roshan (Hrithik's
wife), Vinod Khanna, Marc Robinson, Amrita Arora.
All
for love - Celebs catch the premiere of Taj Mahal PICTURE Kabir W/
ADAM & POOJA
»November 18, 2005 - International
release.
FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CHECK SECTION PRODUCTION LINKS
-ABOVE-. |
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