Movie: Jodha Akbar
Cast: Aishwarya Rai(Jodhaa Bai) and Hrithik Roshan(Jalaluddin Mohammad Akbar)
Writers: Haidar Ali and Ashutosh Gowariker
Director: Ashutosh Gowariker
It’s been a long time since I have walked out of the cinema hall with a feeling of equanimity and the asseveration of having just witnessed a film that will go down in history as a classic. The last time I was overcome by such a feeling was with Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s poetic Saawariya, a film that many people rejected for its folklore style.
Market Review
Though the film is expected to open better overseas, the Friday advance opening of 'biggest film of the year' in India is well below expectations. Chennai is at 85% which is good but not recordbreaking. Delhi is hovering around 65%. Bombay is trailing at 60% and Calcutta follows even tad below. Indore is around the 60% mark. Centers across Rajasthan are of course 0% because they aren't even letting the movie open there. The figures are mostly off single screen theaters as most multiplex chains nationally have bypassed the film till now.
Movie Review
The movie Jodhaa Akbar rekindled my faith in why Hindi cinema is the greatest entertainer in the glimmering world of movie lights, for it could only be the Hindi film industry that could conceive such a monopolizing oeuvre.
Set in the 16th century, Jodha Akbar is a sumptuous saga of romance which blossoms under the schismatic setting of political astriction during the Mughal era.
Rajput King Bharmal of Amer (Khulbhushan Khabarnda) arranges a marriage of alliance between his daughter Jodhaa (Aishwarya Rai) and the Mughal Emperor Jalaudin Akbar (Hrithik Roshan) thus sewing the seed of tranquility between both communities.
Asutosh Gowariker has to be congratulated for making a film with such conviction and executing his story on such a grand platform. Whilst the general consensus of many is that historical films dabble more in the complexities of the past through stolid like factual presentation, Gowariker is able to use his finesse of mixing drama with authenticity – the result being an exhilarating lesson in history which also carries a strong heart. The nail biting battle scenes have all been captured with sharp camera movements, transporting the viewer to the battlefield, the tense palaver between Ila Arun and Aishwarya demanded pin drop silence from everyone in the cinema hall…exemplary of the maestro director’s ability to capture the audience and throw them into a bygone era.
Hrithik Roshan as the Great Emperor Akbar is awe-inspiring. His performance is of dizzying heights, meticulously delivered without any room for criticism. Roshan epitomizes perfection, both physically and creatively resulting in the finest screen presence to be witnessed since Amitabh Bachchan. His Akbar is powerful and unflinching yet in a split second can transform to a smirking lover of loyalty towards his queen presenting a humane depiction of a figure who was obviously more than just a temerarious ruler. Roshan proves yet again just why he is the finest male lead to grace the screen since the millennium.
Aishwarya Rai is always at her best when she is regal and in Jodhaa Akbar she is dignity personified. The character of Jodhaa demanded a fiery yet graceful streak of personality and Rai achieves this balance with uttermost ease. The scene where she exchanges heated words with Akbar upon his accusation of her deceit is tremendous as she conveys vulnerability with angst, using her eyes to emote a thousand words. A character that does not demand huge amounts of dialogues but more so relies on the ability for Rai to emote with her expressions resulting in a play of wholehearted curtailment. Jodhaa Akbar is sure to go down as one of Rai’s finest examples of talent.
A R Rahman’s music may not be of chartbusting quality but it moulds itself into the story in such a way that without becoming officious to the narrative, it still acts as a conclusive transition, especially the Sufi style “Khwaja Mere Khwaja” which oozes a spiritualistic aroma of melody. “Azeem O Shah Shahensha” is robust in its presentation and only electrifies the magnitude of the character that Akbar was.
If controversies are expected to boost a film's initial, that hasn't happened in regards to the advance booking of Jodha Akbar.
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ReplyDeleteYeah it's a historical movie based on a love story between Akbar and Jodha bai. After a long time we got a chance to watch out a fine historical movie. I would like to thank Ashutosh Gowariker for such a beautiful movie. Hrithik is superb.Guys just watch out Hrithik.
ReplyDeleteRajasthan has decided to ban JODHAA AKBAR as it is supposedly trivializing the history. A controversy has been created around the film by questioning the interpretation of the character of Jodhaa as it has been done in the film, which supposedly goes against the established belief. It has hurt the sensibilities of Rajputs.
ReplyDeleteWatch and Download Jodhaa Akbar
Jodhaa Akbar is a "FANTASTIC MOVIE" and extra-ordinary music by A.R. Rahman. Khwaja Mere Khwaja and Jashn-e-Bahara' are the best tracks in terms of tune. It is a must watch movie, as it's a historical movie based on a love story between Akbar and Jodha bai.
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Jagmohan
Whatever the review says but I feel the effort made by Ashutosh Gowariker to be really half-hearted. The impact was not there, neither any zing. I don’t know what made me go and watch it; probably the promos were at the back of my mind.
ReplyDeleteEverything is not just fair in ‘love and war’. It’s fabulous!
ReplyDeleteIt is a must watch movie,Jodha Akbar one the wonderful historical learning moment for all of us.
ReplyDeletejodha akbar is a excellent movie; there can be no other Akbar than Hrithik and noone else as Jodha than Aish... Hrithik is at his best performance in the movie....Ashutosh has again proved to be a wonderful director! Bst wishes to entire team.
ReplyDeleteI think Hrithik hv done his life's best acting so far.
ReplyDeleteA good movie indeed.But Ashutosh could have done far better if he`d have kept himself close to the facts and couldnot have tried to imagine too much in order to copy the mere scenes of hollywood pictures.Lagan and swadesh were far ahead of it because of their natural instincts.No two opinion Hritik & Aish have done a good job,Ashutosh himself with rahman has been lagging in trying too much.
ReplyDeleteDam gud movie…!!!…..luv 2 waych it again…Hrithik Rockzz..!!!
ReplyDeleteIts Really a Rocking love story and also emphasize on the Glory of Indian History.
ReplyDeleteIts a must watch for every Indian.
Jodhaa Akbar is a very good movie with great direction by Ashutosh Gowarikar. It is definitely a must watch and you should watch it in theatres.
ReplyDeleteI have a totally different image of Mughal emperor Akbar in my mind depending on what I read in books. Can't think of Hrithik as him. Sorry it's hard.
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