Email this page
Print this page
Director Ashutosh Gowarikar of Baazi (known for Amir Khan in drag),
Lagaan (known for gaining the Academy Award nomination for best foreign film)
and Swades (known for featuring one of Shah Rukh Khans best performances)
fame returns to the silver screen with his latest magna opus, Jodhaa-Akbar.
The screenplay centers on a classic sixteenth century love story between the
Mughal Emperor Akbar and a Rajput princess Jodhaa. The princess is originally
used as a political pawn in a marriage to gain the allegiance of the Rajputs,
and initially feels no love for the Akbar, but rather holds a fiery resentment
in her heart. Akbar may have been able to win an empire that stretched from the
Hindu Kush, to Afghanistan, to the Himalayas to the Godavari River, but will he
be able to conquer his queens heart? Hindi films have tried period pieces to
varying effects. In recent memory one can remember the debacle of J.P. Duttas
Umrao Jaan (starring Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai) and Santosh Sivans
under-rated flawed yet beautiful Asoka (starring Shah Rukh Khan and Kareena
Kapoor). If there is one director that can perhaps provide Bollywood fans with
a true classic movie going experience, it is Ashutosh Gowarikar. For his
latest, he has signed the hot couple
from Dhoom II, Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai. The lead pair set the
screen on fire with their chemistry and the outlawed kiss from that
blockbuster. If there ever were an actor that could convey the intensity of
Emperor Akbar it is Hrithik Roshan. Who could possibly steal the Emperors
heart? None other than Aishwarya Rai could portray the intensity, anger and
passion of Empress Jodhaa. Heres hoping that the chemistry they shared in
Dhoom 2 is ampd up in the capable hands of a director the caliber of
Gowarikar. In addition to signing the hottest lead pair, Gowarikar has
also signed his infamous partner in music, A.R. Rahman (with lyricist Javed
Akhtar). The musical score for Lagaan is considered to be a classic and will
stand up to the test of time. The soundtrack to Swades didnt live up to
expectations, but nonetheless contained some memorable tunes that matched the
mood of that movie. Heres hoping that maestro Rahman will provide us with one
of the
best soundtracks of 2007. Already the anticipation is building for the qawwali
number, titled, Khwaja Mere Khwaja which will feature the smooth vocals of
Sonu Nigam and Alka Yagnik. Backed by a solid producer like Ronnie
Screwvalla, Ashutosh Gowarikar looks set to wow audiences with his latest
release. Hes spared no expense in making sure that the film is historically
correct, from hiring scholars, to herds of animals, to detailed costumes, to
intense performances the movie promises to be one that will leave Bollywood
fans worldwide breathless and caught up in the eternally classic love story of
Jodhaa-Akbar.
http://www.planetbollywood.com/displayReview.php?id=053007031853
---------------------------------
You snooze, you lose. Get messages ASAP with AutoCheck
in the all-new Yahoo! Mail Beta.
