Here’s a list of iconic Bollywood actors who brought the grandeur and complexities of Mughal emperors to life:
- Ashok Kumar as Humayun
The late Ashok Kumar portrayed Badshah Naseeruddin Humayun in the 1945 historical drama Humayun, directed by Mehboob Khan. The film was a major hit of its time, ranking as the eighth highest-grossing movie that year. - Prithviraj Kapoor as Akbar
The legendary Prithviraj Kapoor immortalized the role of Akbar in the 1960 classic Mughal-e-Azam. Directed by K. Asif, the film depicted the epic love story of Salim and Anarkali. Dilip Kumar played Prince Salim, and the movie remains a milestone in Indian cinema. - Pradeep Kumar as Shah Jahan
Pradeep Kumar played Shah Jahan in the 1963 film Taj Mahal, which narrates the story of the emperor’s eternal love for Mumtaz Mahal and the creation of the iconic Taj Mahal as a symbol of their love. - Om Puri as Aurangzeb
In Shyam Benegal’s TV series Bharat Ek Khoj (1988), Om Puri portrayed the tyrannical Aurangzeb. The series, based on Jawaharlal Nehru’s book Discovery of India, explored significant historical events, including the Mughal Empire. - Hrithik Roshan as Akbar
Hrithik Roshan delivered a memorable performance as Emperor Akbar in the 2008 film Jodhaa Akbar. Directed by Ashutosh Gowariker, the movie focused on Akbar’s political alliances and his love story with Jodha Bai, played by Aishwarya Rai. - Kabir Bedi as Shah Jahan
Kabir Bedi brought Emperor Shah Jahan to life in Taj Mahal: An Eternal Love Story (2011). This cinematic piece reimagined the emperor’s devotion to Mumtaz Mahal and his legacy of love. - Ashutosh Rana as Aurangzeb
Ashutosh Rana played Aurangzeb in the 2021 web series Chhatrasal. The show revolved around the warrior King Chhatrasal’s fight against Aurangzeb’s tyranny in the Bundelkhand region. - Naseeruddin Shah as Akbar
In the 2023 series Taj, Naseeruddin Shah portrayed Emperor Akbar with unmatched finesse. The series, directed by Ronald Scalpello, also featured Aditi Rao Hydari, Dharmendra, and Sandhya Mridul in pivotal roles. - Akshaye Khanna as Aurangzeb
Akshaye Khanna is set to play Aurangzeb in the upcoming film Chhaava. The movie, releasing on February 14, 2025, will also star Vicky Kaushal as Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, highlighting the warrior king’s defiance against the Mughal Empire.
Bollywood’s portrayal of Mughal emperors not only highlights the empire’s grandeur but also its rich and tumultuous history, bringing iconic characters to life for generations of audiences.