Jodhaa Akbar

Director: Ashutosh Gowariker
Producer:  Ashutosh Gowariker, Ronnie Screwvala
Starring: Hrithik Roshan, Aishwarya Rai
Music: A. R. Rahman
Lyrcis: Javed Akhtar

Ashutosh Gowariker's latest Jodhaa Akbar has hit not only Indian theaters but also a record 115 theatres in the US today. The movie is released in the wake of widespread protests in India as well as in the US. In fact, some Indian American groups have given a boycott call and asked the Indian government to ban the film.

These opponents of the movie's release have sought a ban on it on the basis of what they call distortion of historical facts by its director Gowariker. This is to recall that he is none other than that of the Oscar nominated Lagaan fame. The Rajput Karni Sena claims that Jodhaa was not Akbar's wife but that of his son Jehangir! They have also alleged that there are several historical distortions in Jodhaa Akbar, which is starring Hrithik Roshan as Akbar and Aishwarya Rai as Jodhaa.

The movie, according to them, is "extremely insensitive" and thus hurts the sentiments of millions of people who love the culture, history and traditions of India. According to our US sources, these groups comprise Global Institute for Truth & Awareness, Independent NRI Forum, Indian American Intellectuals Forum, Rajput Association of North America and Save Temples, USA.

However, Gowariker denies these allegations and claims that he has based the story on his reading of Akbarnama and consultations with historian as good as Irfan Habib. Incidentally, K. Asif's epic Mughal-e-Azam, presented Akbar and Jodhaabai as husband and wife, though it was centered on Jehangir and Anarkali's ill-fated love story. Anyway, the $10-million Jodhaa Akbar would help Aishwarya and Hrithik's reported moves towards Hollywood, as stated by a well-known critic.

Let's now analyze the movie. First, it has undoubtedly several outstanding features like AR Rahman's music; Ashutosh Gowariker's masterful direction; two hot stars that seem to be living their epic characters.

There is a bit of lapse too. Gowariker hasn't been able to provide the treatment that he has given to his earlier movies like Lagaan and Swades.

The movie begins with the story of Rajput princess Jodhaa marrying Mughal emperor Akbar for political reasons. After all, their families belonged to two warring sides. This is another matter that both started nursing love for each other at a later stage.

This happens only after both make a kind of compromise between them. However, there happened to be tiffs and misunderstandings in the meanwhile , including a sword-fighting scene between the two! Both reconciled.

While Akbar agrees to Jodhaa's demands (a) of retaining her religion after marriage and (b) a temple to be made in her chambers, Jodhaa stands by her husband all through her life. At the same time, we come across the parallel stories of political betrayals, acquisitions and bloody wars.

Hrithik plays Akbar as perfect as the director wishes to depict the emperor being called Azeem-o-Shaan Shahenshah. He is shown fighting a raging elephant barehanded and sword fighting bare-chested. This is indeed a filmi love story woven around a Mughal emperor winning the heart of an equally brave Rajput princess.

Though the director has made a period film but he has done it the modern way. He has given it the period touch lingering shots of the sets and the jewelry. When asked if he has excelled his earlier works, one has to admit that he hasn't done full justice to his latest work. As far as its cast especially, the lead pair is concerned, they have lived their real characters.

Hrithik's is just mind-blowing as Emperor Akbar; Aishwarya Rai is equally great with her subtle make-up and bejeweled look. Among the supporting cast , Ila Arun proves superb as the scheming and possessive caretaker and Sonu Sood as Jodhaa's brother. So is Poonam Sinha who looks graceful. Kulbhushan Kharbanda doesn't lag much behind. The other cast has done full justice.

Technically too, the film is brilliant. The camerawork by Kiran Deohans is fantastic , especially in the battlefield sequences. Music by AR Rahman is excellent with songs like Jashn-e-Bahar and Khwaja Mere Khwaja.

Haider Ali and Gowariker have written the script very well inasmuch as the little moments between the two feisty lovers. Sufis Khwaja Mere Khwaja looks like seducing as Akbar jumps down from throne to join the dance with them. The sets built by Nitin Desai are look authentic and so are the beautiful costumes designed by Neeta Lulla.

One cannot afford to miss this movie though he has to sit longer to watch this movie. One doesn't mind it as he enjoys it. The love saga fits the present timing as the movie just follows the Valentine Day.