Waiting.. waiting.. waiting
The magnum opus, Jodhaa- Akbar, will now be released in April 2008
¦ Ashok Rai, Hindustan Times
W ait, don't blow the bugles yet. Its date of release has been announced so
often that yet
another postponement isn't exactly surprising. The Mughal opus which was to be
released on
January 15 has been postponed to April. Not to worry, we're talking April 2008.
Long wait
Perhaps the wait will make the heart grow fonder for Ashutosh Gowariker's
Jodhaa-Akbar
featuring Aishwarya Rai and Hrithik Roshan in the eponymous roles. The film has
been so
painstakingly shot that its first cut clocked in at five-and-ahalf-hours. Now
all efforts are
being made to reduced the length to a more endurable three hours.
Meanwhile, many of the film's supporting actors who gave months on end of their
dates for the
shooting schedules are simmering under their breath. More work, less pay Not
only were they
paid precious little money but had to forego other assignments - all in the
hope of getting
exposure on the Mughal-sized screen.
Yet, there is no denying that sometimes there are unavoidable delays. At
present, director
Gowariker is confined to bed because of a severe back ailment. He has been
advised to rest in
bed for two months, or so goes the trade talk. He is not taking phone calls or
responding to
SMSs.
First, the film produced by Gowariker with UTV was scheduled to be released
during the Diwali
season. It was then shifted to January 15 and then again to February 24.
