Manisha, Arbaaz: Romancing the stone

Dale Bhagwagar

Writer-director-producer Akbar Khan's historical Taj Mahal - An Eternal Love Story was launched on Thursday, February 7, at the Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur.

Maharaja Gaj Singh of Jodhpur sounded the opening clap on a specially erected white marble set with a replica of the Taj Mahal as the backdrop. This was followed by a mahurat shot depicting the agony of Emperor Shah Jahan when he tells his daughter Jahan Ara to convince his son Aurangzeb not to attack the Agra Fort and give him peace in return for his kingdom.

A mukhda of one of the songs composed by veteran composer Naushad and written by Naqsh Layallpuri played in the background, transporting the audience at the fort to the royal Mughal era.

The cast, revealed by Akbar Khan, includes Kabir Bedi who plays the ageing Emperor Shah Jahan. Manisha Koirala plays his daughter Princess Jahan Ara. Arbaaz Ali plays King Jahangir; Pooja Batra plays the scheming queen Noorjahan; Kim Sharma is the bubbly Laadili Begum and the dynamic Arbaaz Khan plays the strong-headed prince Aurangzeb.

Akbar Khan is still to reveal the lead pair of the young Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal.