Mughal-e-Azam - Cast

Cast

• Dilip Kumar as Prince Salim, a pleasure-loving youth who returns as a distinguished military man after being banished to the battlefield.

Asif had initially rejected Kumar for the role. Kumar himself was reluctant towards the idea of acting in a period film, but he accepted the role upon the insistence of the film's producer. According to Kumar, "Asif trusted me enough to leave the delineation of Salim completely to me". Kumar visited London to test the wig he would wear in the film. He faced significant difficulty while filming in Rajasthan due to the heat and the body armour he wore.

• Madhubala as Nadira, who is renamed Anarkali and becomes the court dancer after displaying impressive dancing abilities.

Though Madhubala had acted in a number of films and was considered to be in the "twilight" of her career, she was reported to have been longing for a significant role. When the author-backed character of Anarkali came to her, Madhubala reportedly "couldn't let it go." The role of Anarkali had previously been offered to Suraiya. Madhubala suffered significant difficulty while filming, primarily due to her congenital heart disease. She is said to have fainted on the sets, and suffered skin abrasions while filming the prison sequences, but was reportedly dedicated to her work and not much concerned about her health.

• Prithviraj Kapoor as Emperor Akbar, a dutiful ruler and strict father who strongly disapproves of his son's romance.

To get into the skin of his character, Kapoor was reported to have "relied completely on the script and director", and would look into a mirror as tall as himself before every shot. Prior to the make-up, Kapoor would declare, "Prithviraj Kapoor ab jaa rahaa hai" ("Prithviraj Kapoor is now going"); after make-up, he would announce, "Akbar ab aa rahaa hai" ("Akbar is now coming"). Kapoor did face difficulty with his heavy armor, and suffered blisters on his feet after walking bare-footed on the desert for a particular sequence.

• Durga Khote as Empress Jodhabai, Salim's mother and Akbar's principal wife. Though she is a very loving and affectionate mother, she is distressed over her son's relationship.
• Nigar Sultana as Bahar, a high-ranked court dancer who wishes to ascend to the throne.
• Ajit as Durjan Singh
• M. Kumar as Sangtarash, the royal sculptor.
• Murad as Raja Man Singh.
• Jillo Bai as Anarkali's mother.
• Sheila Dalaya as Suraiya, Anarkali's sister.
• Jalal Agha as Young Prince Salim. Tabla artist Ustad Zakir Hussain had initially been considered for the role.

Other minor parts were portrayed by Vijayalaxmi, Khurshid Khan, Shah Gul, Jago, Syed Hussain, Khanna, S. Nazair, Khawaja Sabir, Mah Gul, Paul Sharma, Gulam Sabir, Surender, Johnny Walker, Tabassum and Gopi Krishna.