Anarkali movie is based on historical love story in the time of Mughal dynasty. It is the love story of Anarkali (Bina Roy) and Salim (Pradeep Kumar). Anarkali is a famous singer and dancer. She fell in love with the soldier Salim, who eventually turns out to be the Prince of Mughal Emperor, the son of Jallaludin Akbar (Mughal Emperor) and Maharani Jodha. Akbar Badshah offered the her the name Anarkali. Her original name was Nadira. Shahenshah Akbar does not accept the love between Prince and a Royal Dancer. He gets furious and anounces the punishment of death sentence to both Anarkali and Salim. Raja Mansingh the Royal diplomat and soldier defends Salim. But Anarkali has something even more worse written in her destiny.
Shahenshah Jalaudin Akbar is the grandson of Babbar, and the son of Humayun. He is known to have ruled over Hindustan with a humane and just heart. He knew in order to garner the support of the Hindus, he must treat them sensitively, allow them to worship freely, and in order to maintain this peace, he married Jodabai, a Hindu Rajput, the sister of Raja Man Singh. Through this marriage they became the proud parents of Shehzada Salim. Akbar first met Nadira in the Anar garden, while she was awaiting the arrival of her lover. So pleased he was with her that he wanted to reward her, but she only asked for an Anar, so he ended up bestowing her with the name of 'Anarkali'. He met her the second time when she was able to revive Salim, who was seriously wounded in a war in Kabul. Once again Akbar was pleased with her, wanted to reward her, but again she turned him down. The third time she ended up annoying Akbar when she sang and danced in his court under the influence of alcohol, and he has her imprisoned. The very foundations of Akbar's palace will be shaken to the roots, and his manner of meting out justice will be put to the extreme test, when he finds out that Salim is in love with Anarkali and wants to marry her. While Akbar may have been successful to end the strife between Hindus and Muslims, but will be able to break down the wall between the rich and the poor?