Anarkali (1953)

Prince Salim, son of Emperor Akbar, falls in love with Nadira, a beautiful girl whom the emperor names Anarkali, pomegranate blossom, and brings to court as a dancer. Their love defies rank and royal law, and a jealous rival at court makes sure Akbar learns of it, setting father against son. Anarkali was the biggest Hindi box-office hit of 1953, several years before K. Asif told the same legend in Mughal-e-Azam. Bina Rai and Pradeep Kumar became stars, and C. Ramchandra's songs, sung mostly by Lata Mangeshkar, including Yeh Zindagi Usi Ki Hai and Mohabbat Mein Aise Kadam Dagmagaye, are among the most loved of the decade.