Bollywood Actors Who Nailed Mughal Emperor Roles on Screen

Have you ever sat down and watched a film to the extent that you simply forgot you were seeing an actor performing a role? This is what occurs when greats from the silver screen act as powerful emperors from the Mughal empire. They were so massive beating enormous armies, conducting history in gigantic wars, and with a larger than life personality beating historical trends. Bollywood? Well, they know exactly how to bring that grandeur to the screen. From Prithviraj Kapoor’s legendary portrayal of Akbar in Mughal-e-Azam to Hrithik Roshan’s regal performance in Jodha Akbar, actors have given us some unforgettable Mughal characters. And let’s not forget the recent buzz around Akshaye Khanna stepping into Aurangzeb’s shoes for Chhaava. So, let’s dig into the actors who played Mughal emperors and stole the show.

Ashok Kumar as Humayun (1945)

There was the movie Humayun (1945) much before Bollywood could come up with their grand historical epics on celluloid; this film revolved around Badshah Naseeruddin Humayun. And in such a scintillating character, Ashok Kumar fitted perfectly. Then, the history film genre was not very much defined and Ashok Kumar’s acting for Humayun made audiences feel as though they were experiencing a part of history. The film was directed by Mehboob Khan, with big stars such as Veena, Shah Nawaz, and even the young Nargis as Hamida Bano. The movie went on to be a huge success and was ranked the eighth highest grosser of the year. Pretty impressive for a 1940s film, huh?

Prithviraj Kapoor as Akbar (1960)

Now, if there is one Mughal emperor role that literally set the gold standard, it has to be Prithviraj Kapoor’s portrayal of Akbar in Mughal-e-Azam. This movie isn’t just a film-it’s a whole cultural phenomenon. Even today, people reference the dialogues, the grandeur, and the sheer power Prithviraj brought to Akbar’s character. The film, directed by K. It wasn’t just a film about Akbar; it was a poignant love story between Prince Salim (Dilip Kumar) and the beautiful court dancer Anarkali (Madhubala). However, let’s be honest—Prithviraj Kapoor would steal every scene he was in. His booming voice, fierce expressions, and undeniable presence made Akbar look as majestic as history describes him to be. And the budget for the movie? Rs 1.5 crore. That was like a chunk of money in the 1960s, but honestly? Every paisa was worth it.

Pradeep Kumar as Shah Jahan (1963)

That is how much Bollywood loves love stories, and there is no better historical romance than that of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal. That is exactly what the 1963 film Taj Mahal did. It made the iconic emperor take the shoes of Pradeep Kumar. It was basically an OG period romance and showed the extent to which Shah Jahan loved Mumtaz and that Taj Mahal wasn’t a monument but it was his love letter to her. The drama, emotions, and grandeur with which the movie presented a Mughal love story were unrelenting. And honest enough, it perhaps made a whole generation of Bollywood fans dream for their own Taj Mahal moment.

Om Puri as Aurangzeb (1988)

If you are a history buff, then you probably know that Aurangzeb was one of the most controversial Mughal emperors. Some see him as a powerful ruler, while others view him as a ruthless one. And when it comes to depicting a character as complex as this, who better than Om Puri? In the 1988 TV series Bharat Ek Khoj, Om Puri enacted Aurangzeb with so much intensity that it actually made people rethink their views on the emperor. The show, directed by Shyam Benegal, was based on Jawaharlal Nehru’s book Discovery of India and covered 5,000 years of Indian history. From the Ramayana to the Mughal era and way beyond, this was basically a history lesson but made cinematic. Om Puri brought gravitas and chillness as he portrayed the Aurangzeb character seriously, intensely, and chillingly real. The character wasn’t played as villainous but rather as having human elements and therefore, asking whether the emperor himself was really the Aurangzeb of evilness as recorded by history.

Hrithik Roshan played Akbar (2008)

Fast forward to 2008, and we got another stunning Mughal performance this time from none other than Hrithik Roshan. When Jodha Akbar hit theaters, people were obsessed. And honestly? Rightfully so. Directed by Ashutosh Gowariker, this film wasn’t just about history it was about the love story between Akbar and his Rajput queen, Jodha Bai (played by Aishwarya Rai). And can we talk about Hrithik’s look in the film? The royal attires, sword fights, the intense dialogues he made Akbar look straight out of a fairytale. Also, let’s be real Hrithik’s Akbar was smooth. The way he balanced power with tenderness in his scenes with Jodha? Iconic. This wasn’t just a historical drama; it was a visual masterpiece.

Kabir Bedi as Shah Jahan (2011)

Now, this one’s a little different from the usual Bollywood films. In 2011, Kabir Bedi played Shah Jahan in the play Taj Mahal: An Eternal Love Story, written by Canadian playwright John Murrell. What made this performance unique was that it was held at the Luminato Festival in Toronto and later toured across Canada for eight weeks. Unlike films, where the actors get several takes, stage performances are raw and real. And Kabir Bedi? He absolutely aced it. His deep voice, intense expressions, and regal presence brought Shah Jahan to life in a way that few actors could do.

Ashutosh Rana as Aurangzeb (2021)

With the advent of streaming platforms, historical dramas are no longer just for the big screen. Enter Chhatrasal, a web series that told the story of the Bundelkhand warrior king who defied Aurangzeb’s rule. And who played Aurangzeb? The powerhouse performer Ashutosh Rana. This portrayal of Aurangzeb focused on how he was challenged by a local king, which was an even more intense part of the story. Ashutosh Rana always was good at playing intense, brooding characters, and Aurangzeb is no exception, making him both terrifying and compulsive.

Naseeruddin Shah as Akbar (2023)

In 2023, Naseeruddin Shah gave us another unforgettable act as Akbar in the web series Taj. This show was stacked with talent-crammed actors, including Aditi Rao Hydari, Dharmendra, and Taha Shah Badussha. Directed by Ronald Scalpello, Taj mentioned the later years of Akbar’s reign and power struggles thereafter. If someone could bring out the wise, authoritative Akbar in their presence, then it had to be Naseeruddin Shah. His performance layered the emperor in ways the audience hadn’t seen much of before about Akbar.

Bollywood’s Obsession with Mughals Isn’t Fading

Bollywood has a thing for Mughal history it is grand, dramatic, and some of the most iconic characters. Whether it be Akbar or Shah Jahan or even Aurangzeb, each emperor had a specific personality which could be never forgotten. And these actors? They owned those characters. With historical dramas still trending, who knows? Maybe the next big Bollywood blockbuster will give us another legendary Mughal performance. Until then, we’ll just keep rewatching Mughal-e-Azam and Jodha Akbar, feeling all kinds of royal.