Jamia VC’s tryst with history: To play Akbar

Jamia Millia Islamia vice chancellor Najeeb Jung is all set to play a 'historic' role, literally. For some minutes on Sunday evening, Jung will become Mughal emperor Akbar, in the play Anarkali-Akbar-Salim written by noted playwright Imtiaz Ali Taj.

Jamia Millia Islamia vice chancellor Najeeb Jung is all set to play a 'historic' role, literally. For some minutes on Sunday evening, Jung will become Mughal emperor Akbar, in the play Anarkali-Akbar-Salim written by noted playwright Imtiaz Ali Taj.

HT Image

The play is being organised by the Outreach Programme of Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI), in collaboration with the Indian People's Theatre Association (IPTA), Delhi.

"It is the same script from which Mughal-e-Azam, the movie, evolved," said Jung.

For Jung, who usually wears the vice-chancellor's robe, donning Akbar's mantle is a different ballgame altogether. "I have been having problems learning my lines. I have such a tight schedule that I just can't find time for it," he said.

"Everyone else on the cast is a professional actor. I am a little nervous," said Jung, who has been spending most of his free time rehearsing for the play.

Jung says he's nervous about "forgetting the lines. Everyone else knows all the lines — theirs as well as mine. I hope I don't bring down the quality of the play." The roles of Anarkali and Salim will be played by Ankita Gisain and Jitin Gaur, under the direction of eminent actor and stage personality Aziz Quraish.

In a break from the usual, Anarkali-Akbar-Salim focuses on what happens after Anarkali is killed. The play depicts how Anarkali was killed to preserve the Mughal lineage.

In that sense, it was like an honour killing.

The 80-minute-long play will be staged at the MA Ansari Auditorium in the university campus at 6.30pm on Sunday.