Actor and director Akbar Khan speaks about the casting of his Taj Mahal film, in Agra

From the archive record

In a video interview, actor and director Akbar Khan speaks about the casting of his Taj Mahal film: “My story of love is based on historical personalities and real figures. For this film, I needed individuals who could truly represent those characters—someone who could walk, speak, and appear like an emperor such as Shah Jahan, and look like a living, breathing prince. I was searching for a personality with grace and delicacy—visible in the eyes, in the way of walking, and in overall presence. For the other characters like Noor Jahan, Aurangzeb, Dara Shikoh, Ladli Begum, and Jahanara, I needed people who matched the essence of those personalities. I did not need stars or well-known, familiar actors. I respect and value them, but my film depended entirely on characterisation.”