Jodhaa Akbar is a love story, it portrays beautifully, the defiance of Jodhaa, the Rajput girl who is asked to marry Akbar, a Muslim Emperor. Not one to bow down or suppress her voice, Jodhaa expresses two strong wishes to the Emperor. Only if he agrees will she marry him. The first being he will not force her to change her religion and the second; he will give her a place in his palace to have a temple of her own. Both wishes are granted!
Then comes the tough task of the Emperor trying to get close to Jodhaa. Slowly, she teaches him that winning battles is not everything... he learns to win her heart as well. For lovers, this is a beautiful rendition of a perfect love story.
As a cinematic experience, it would be wrong to compare Jodhaa Akabr to any of Ashutosh Gowariker's previous endeavors. Why, it would be erroneous to compare the film with any film ever made before in this genre. This one stands out and stands out the tallest. This movie is a masterpiece, a complete interpretation of what the director has visualized. From costumes, to body language, to background score, to the songs, sets, manpower and lighting.
Gowariker has everything spot-on. Cinematographer Kiran Deohans captures through his wide lens the glory of the Moghul Era recreated by Nitin Desai. A R Rahman uses the beat of huge drums to transport you to another era. Pure, acoustic delight. Ravi Dewan recreates the fights that have you on the edge of your seats, while Raju Khan, Rekha Chinni Prakash and Ash Kumar combine to give you some breathtaking dances to do justice to the costumes of Neeta Lulla.
Jodhaa Akbar also works because of the right casting. Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai Bachahan in the lead role, have come out looking super cool. Hrithik seems born to play this role and he enacts it with such precision, such flourish, such confidence that it leaves you asking for more. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is also superb, she looks ethereal.
Jodhaa Akabr has a host of characters, but the ones whom you carry home, besides Hrithik and Ash, are Sonu Sood, Nikitin Dheer, Ila Arun, Punam S. Sinha and over all Amitabh Bachchan's rich barritone voice adds lustre to the magnum opus.
On the whole, Jodhaa Akabr is a brilliant film in all respects.
Viewer's Review
a historical film or a Jewellery Expo?
by Zabardast (posted on : 11-Apr-08) Rating: (Poor)
came away feeling cheated - could have seen moghul costumes and jewellery in any magazine.and such lies. akbar so tolerant and fond of vegetarian fare, jodha the only queen. he had 100s. so jodha's turn to cook for him must come once a year!
just amazing...no words to express
by Mrunal (posted on : 18-Mar-08) Rating: (Excellent)
this movie is just amazing. everybody has done their jobs very well..hats off to aashutosh...what a movie he has made...hritik is the best as well as aish also very good...music is also very good....
Small disappointment
by Boring (posted on : 14-Mar-08) Rating: (Average)
I am very disappointed - the cinematography, grandeur, Hrithik Roshan are the only good things in the movie. The script could have been tigher, the movie could have been shorter, a more appropriate actress could have been chosen for the role of Jodha. The language and the diction should have been more profound. Hrithik has done justice to his part - he is amazing. Aishwarya seemed uncomfortable talking in such pure hindi
