Aishwarya to play Mumtaz Mahal in Ben Kingsley’s film on Taj

Aryan_ · #16 (**permalink**) 09-30-2007, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zakk

considering that his amazing love for her didn't prevent him from having other wives and many concubines?

The old Indian movie is lovely, but highly inaccurate as well.

Since when does loving someone a lot mean you can't have other wives and concubines?

Sea_of_Roses · #17 (**permalink**) 09-30-2007, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aryan_

Since when does loving someone a lot mean you can't have other wives and concubines?

Here weeeeeee gooooooooooooo

Variable · #18 (**permalink**) 09-30-2007, 11:46 AM

Whatever.

So this girl with big eyes... is she the top bollywood actress? Is she the same one who just got married?

shsh · #19 (**permalink**) 09-30-2007, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Variable

Whatever.

So this girl with big eyes... is she the top bollywood actress? Is she the same one who just got married?

to a tree

hahahaha
its true

Variable · #20 (**permalink**) 09-30-2007, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shsh

to a tree

hahahaha
its true

a tree?

No, didn't she get married to some other bollywood guy and half the country was camped out outside their wedding hoping they'd see them?

zakk · #21 (**permalink**) 09-30-2007, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aryan_

Since when does loving someone a lot mean you can't have other wives and concubines?

It's not just loving someone, it's that this is held up to be some monumental legendary love story. And usually the fact that the Shah Jehan had many many wives and concubines even after wedding Mumtaz is overlooked in favor of the whole concept of him building the Taj for her.

Quite frankly, most of the Moghuls considered themselves above laws and moral precepts. They were quite decadent in pursuits of worldly pleasures. I find this whole concept of Shah Jehan's devotion to Mumtaz to be improbable. He probably did love her above the rest of his wives, but the rest of this love story is more based on legends and literary/film depictions than reality.

Aryan_ · #22 (**permalink**) 09-30-2007, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zakk

Quite frankly, most of the Moghuls considered themselves above laws and moral precepts. They were quite decadent in pursuits of worldly pleasures.

Multiple wives and concubines are not forbidden in Islam, it is sunna. Your outrage against Moghal decadency is a western polemic.

zakk · #23 (**permalink**) 09-30-2007, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aryan_

Multiple wives and concubines are not forbidden in Islam, it is sunna. Your outrage against Moghal decadency is a western polemic.

No actually, Moghuls usually had more than the allowed amount of wives. And harems, wine and dancing girls are not exactly in line with the sunnah.

In other words, I win you lose.

shsh · #24 (**permalink**) 09-30-2007, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Variable

a tree?

No, didn't she get married to some other bollywood guy and half the country was camped out outside their wedding hoping they'd see them?

yeah...a tree...

India Uncut: Aishwarya Rai to marry a tree?

Variable · #25 (**permalink**) 09-30-2007, 11:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shsh

yeah...a tree...

India Uncut: Aishwarya Rai to marry a tree?

... lucky tree.

GOTFIVEONIT · #26 (**permalink**) 10-01-2007, 12:58 AM

it is true, that most of the stories surrounding the mughals were in fact due to legend. In fact most historians agree that shah jahan probably built the taj to rival the persian palace in isfahan. Everything else, 'immortal love' and 'chopping off the hands of all 20K workers' are all just myths and legends associated with the taj.

The mughal's were simply apeing the ummayad dynasty, which was founded by muwaiya 1, who simply revived old pagan customs.

GOTFIVEONIT · #27 (**permalink**) 10-01-2007, 01:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Variable

I'm a Western audience and I'd prefer someone with a real Hindi (I'm guessing she speaks Hindi) accent over a British girl who's faking a Hindi accent.

hmm interesting, considering the fact that mumtaz mahal ("beloved ornament of the palace" in persian) never spoke hindi, but in fact spoke persian. so wouldnt a persian actress be more accurate then?

Mumtāz Mahal is the common nickname of Arjumand Banu Begum

Variable · #28 (**permalink**) 10-01-2007, 01:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GOTFIVEONIT

hmm interesting, considering the fact that mumtaz mahal ("beloved ornament of the palace" in persian) never spoke hindi, but in fact spoke persian. so wouldnt a persian actress be more accurate then?

Mumt?z Mahal is the common nickname of Arjumand Banu Begum

Um... yeh. Bring on Catherine Bell.

GOTFIVEONIT · #29 (**permalink**) 10-01-2007, 03:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Variable

Um... yeh. Bring on Catherine Bell.

back in 2000 abc televised a two part special on the fabled book "The Arabian Nights" Aka "1001 Nights". the actresses used were mostly british, such as the actress who potrayed princess sheherazad.

Quote:

A ruthless sultan enacts a barbaric decree to avenge his unfaithful first wife by bedding, the beheading, the women of his empire. The wise Scheherezade devises a desperate plan to save her kingdom by seducing the Sultan's imagination with the fantastical tales of Aladdin, Ali Baba, and larger-than-life heroes, warriors and djinni.

Starring: Mili Avital, Alan Bates, Jason Scott Lee, John Leguizamo

Aryan_ · #30 (**permalink**) 10-01-2007, 06:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zakk

No actually, Moghuls usually had more than the allowed amount of wives. And harems, wine and dancing girls are not exactly in line with the sunnah.

In other words, I win you lose.

You're getting him mixed up with Babur and other Moghal rulers. He only had three wives, and was noted for his piety. He was halaler than a falafel on Eid.