Mughal-e-Azam Musical: Feroz Abbas Khan on Bringing the Classic to Stage | Bani Anand | AAE S4

Bani Anand sits down for an exclusive interview with Feroz Abbas Khan, the visionary director of Mughal-e-Azam: The Musical, and actor Kirti Killedar, who brings Anarkali to life on stage. As a long-time admirer of the musical, Bani delves into the journey of adapting this cinematic masterpiece into a grand live production, uncovering the challenges, triumphs, and enduring legacy of this theatrical spectacle. Feroz Abbas Khan shares in the podcast that the aim was never to create history but to bring a vision to life. Producing a Broadway-style musical in India once seemed impossible, but with the right team and resources, they took the leap. Just days before opening night, he feared failure, but when the curtains rose, magic unfolded. What began as a 15-show run turned into over 300 sold-out performances, culminating in a milestone celebration in Delhi. For Kirti Killedar, portraying Anarkali is both an honour and a responsibility, requiring deep emotional and physical preparation. As the musical gears up for a new season, she remains committed to bringing the timeless love story to life. One of the biggest challenges discussed in the interview was securing funding for such a large-scale production. Theatre often faces financial struggles, and despite high ticket prices, Mughal-e-Azam still runs at a loss in Delhi. With a 200-person team and custom-built equipment, the show would not be financially viable without the backing of Shapoorji Pallonji, the same company that funded the original film. Shifting the podcast to actors, Bani recalled Neel Bhoopalam joking that theatre earnings barely cover a coffee and a banana. Feroz acknowledged this reality but emphasised that theatre remains an actor’s medium, unlike film or OTT. Bani referenced Kalki Koechlin’s belief that no other art form allows actors to thrive as theatre does, and Feroz agreed, highlighting how theatre thrives on metaphor—where a chair can be a throne and a stick a sword, purely through performance. Theatre is a passionate pursuit, and for Kirti Killedar, playing Anarkali required intense preparation—mastering Kathak, voice modulation, and acting. Performing live, she says, is meditative, demanding complete presence. At Feroz’s request, she performs the iconic song "Jab Pyaar Kiya Toh Darna Kya" live for us. Discussing the casting process, Feroz Abbas Khan revealed that while some actors are discovered through auditions, true theatre demands discipline and commitment. In this interview, the director highlights Mughal-e-Azam’s powerful female characters and the sacrifices love demands. Bani references the iconic line, "Mera dil koi aapka Hindustan nahi," while Kirti Killedar shares her deep connection with the audience. Feroz stresses that theatre requires dedication—"this isn’t a 10-second reel." As they prepare for their 300th Delhi show, he credits Mayuri Upadhyay for the breathtaking choreography. Managing a production of this scale—with Manish Malhotra’s costumes and eight 55-foot containers touring the US—is a feat of discipline, faith, and passion. Reflecting on the journey, Feroz recalls the daughter of K. Asif, the director of the film Mughal-e-Azam, hugging him, saying her father would have embraced him too. Mughal-e-Azam is more than a theatre production—it is a cultural treasure. If you have not seen it yet, this podcast episode is your sign to witness history in motion! (00:00) Episode Begins (02:26) How does it feel to create something as majestic as Mughal-e-Azam? (04:50) Kirti Killedar on playing Anarkali (05:52) Why Mughal-e-Azam? (08:51) 'Mughal-e-Azam makes losses every time it comes to Delhi' (11:20) "Theatre is an actor’s medium" (14:17) How did Kirti prepare for Anarkali? (15:41) On "Pyaar Kiya Toh Darna Kya" (16:34) Difference between real love and fake love (20:26) Mughal-e-Azam as a woman’s voice (21:22) Who was more in love-Salim or Anarkali? (22:28) Kirti sings Pyaar Kiya Toh Darna Kya (24:45) Casting for Mughal-e-Azam (26:01) On influencers and theatre (29:02) Major faux pas that was difficult to recover from (31:54) When one of the main characters forgot his line on stage (33:41) Has Kirti ever panicked as Anarkali? (33:22) How do they manage logistics? (37:01) On choreography and Mayuri Upadhyay (39:25) Best compliment received (40:35) Legacy of the film and burden of preserving memories (43:03) Kirti’s learning curve (45:01) Feroz Abbas Khan’s learning curve (48:25) "Everyone is treated equally in the team of Mughal-e-Azam" (53:29) On Urdu and retaining original dialogues (57:17) How does the Mughal-e-Azam crew unwind AfterHours? (59:59) Do men compliment each other? (01:02:20) Game: Kya Golmol Karein? Follow us: Instagram:   / allabouteve_in   Facebook:   / allaboutevein   Pinterest:   / allabouteve_in   Website: https://allabouteve.co.in/ #mughaleazam #play #musical #musicaldrama #iconic #cinema #anarkali #musicaltheatre