K. Asif

K. Asif was born on 14 June 1922 in Etawah, Uttar Pradesh. He made films in Bombay, now Mumbai. He died there on 9 March 1971 of a heart attack.

Why is he famous?

He made very few films. But one of them became a landmark. Critics called him the “Grand Moghul” of Indian cinema.

What is the memory hook?

Born Etawah 1922; died Mumbai 1971.

Phool was his first film as director. It came out in 1945. It was a social drama about rumour and its harm. The cast included Prithviraj Kapoor, Suraiya and Durga Khote.

How did he learn the craft?

He first worked as an assistant to his uncle, the actor-filmmaker Nazir. He learned filmmaking on the job.

What is the memory hook?

First film Phool, 1945.

Asif first thought of Mughal-e-Azam in 1944. He based it on a play by Imtiaz Ali Taj. The play tells the love story of Prince Salim and the dancer Anarkali. The story is a legend. It has no basis in recorded history.

Who was the first cast?

The first cast was Chandramohan, D. K. Sapru and Nargis. Chandramohan was to play Akbar. Nargis was to play Anarkali.

What is the memory hook?

Idea in 1944; Nargis was first Anarkali.

Two blows hit the film. First, the producer, Shiraz Ali Hakim, moved to Pakistan after Partition. Second, the actor Chandramohan died in 1949. Work stopped for a long time.

Who saved it?

Before leaving, Hakim named the builder Shapoorji Pallonji as a backer. Pallonji agreed to fund the film. He and Asif argued often over cost. But he stood by Asif to the end.

What is the memory hook?

Partition and a death; Pallonji rescued it.

The film was recast. Dilip Kumar played Salim, Madhubala played Anarkali, and Prithviraj Kapoor played Akbar. It was released on 5 August 1960 at the Maratha Mandir theatre in Mumbai. It cost about one and a half crore rupees.

What happened later?

It won the Filmfare Award for Best Film. A colourised version was released in 2004. It again drew full houses.

What is the memory hook?

Released 5 August 1960; colour in 2004.

It was his next epic. Guru Dutt was the first lead. After Dutt died, Sanjeev Kumar took the role. Many scenes were shot again. Asif died in 1971 before it was done.

Was it ever released?

Yes, but only in an unfinished form. His widow Akhtar Asif helped revive it. It was released in 1986.

What is the memory hook?

Love and God: two leads, one unfinished film.

Exams ask about the making of Mughal-e-Azam. They also ask who played which role.

What are the common questions?

Which film was released at Maratha Mandir in 1960? Mughal-e-Azam. Who financed it? Shapoorji Pallonji. Who played Salim in the final film? Dilip Kumar.

What traps do exams set?

Do not mix the first cast with the final cast. Nargis and Chandramohan were first. Madhubala and Dilip Kumar were in the film we see. Also, Love and God was never fully finished in his lifetime.

What is the memory hook?

First cast, final cast; two epics.