EVIEW 2: Jodhaa Akbar is a fairy tale
And it is Hrithik who is the Emperor of Hearts. If only the film
was shorter!
Chandrima Pal
Last updated :
Feb 14, 2008
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Like all well-told fairy tales, Jodhaa
Akbartakes you on an epic journey into the heart of a man and a woman.
Thehistorical setting just adds to the colours, the sights and the sounds.And
for the fun the designers have had with the costumes.
To watch Jodhaa Akbarfor historical accuracy is pointless. To watch it for any
brilliantdisplay of camera work or special effects is futile. Because
chancesare you may be hugely disappointed. Especially if you have seen
otherHollywood historicals or epics on the screen. Rather, watch it for asimple
tale of love.
(Also read Review1: Why you should sit through Gowariker's dream project)
Akbar,is unlike his bloodthirsty and tyrannical predecessors, and believes
inwinning the hearts of people rather than conquer them by force. Andwhat
inspires him to transform himself, and in effect alter the destinyof the Mughal
empire, is his own intent and one woman's love.
Ash on being Jodhaa
To say this is Hrithik Roshan's finest performance till date will be no
exaggeration. If you have seen him in Yaadein, or for that matter Koi Mil Gaya
or even Krrish, you will see how much he has matured. Scene after scene, frame
after frame, Hrithik dominates.
Ifhe is the steely emperor of Hindustan, leading his fearsome army onemoment,
he is the vulnerable lover, longing for the intimacy of hiswife in the other.
Jodhaa Akbarbelongs to Hrithik. Take for example the scene in which he
ispracticing swordplay, his taut muscles rippling, eyes afire. Watchingfrom
behind a sheer curtain is Jodhaa, who had till then resisted hisadvances. The
sheer magnetism of the man is enough to add colour to theRajput princess
blanched cheeks. You understand why she lets out agasp.
Watch out also for the scene that seemed to be a gift to all Hrithik
fans, in which he is taming a rogue elephant. And much later when he
takes on his backstabbing brother-in-law, the climax of the film (well,
there is no 'battle' to end the film on a high).
Juxtapose thatwith the sequence when he duels with his wife,
all-playful,all-mischief, all-flirtatious. And you will have seen a range
ofemotions that very few actors will have displayed in a single film.
Almost.
Becauseour vote for the best scene would go for the Khwaja song. In this,Akbar
is getting married to Jodhaa and a group of Sufi singers perform,as if in
trance. As Rahman's voice rises to a crescendo in thebackground (Khwaja Mere
Khwaja on screen can give yougoosebumps), there is a moment of epiphany for the
emperor. He gets up,moves slowly towards the dancing dervishes, their white
skirts twirlingin the moonlight. The crowd watches in awe as the emperor joins
them.His face a picture of beatitude, bliss, and his body, a picture ofhumility
and submission to a force beyond this world.
Jodhaa is B'wood's biggest release
Therestraint and grace displayed by the actor is truly commendable.Especially
since, it would have so easy to go overboard. In a film thatis nearly four
hours long, you can go home with some such gems. Aishwarya Rai,as the Rajput
princess, looks every bit a fairy tale princess. Shelooks pretty and emotes
well, though there are very few scenes with heractually. She does a rather good
job of the action sequences, with theswordplay and at times the word play. She
is never the wimpy weepyprincess who is 'offered' as a peacemaker to a Mughal
emperor. Butrises in his esteem as a woman whose pride and honour are of
utmostimportance to her. She humbles her man, teaches him how to love and inthe
process falls head over heels in love with him. Now, if THAT is notromantic,
what is?
Ash-Hrithik as a pair: Certainly one of the mostgood-looking screen pair we
have had in recent times. And you knowsomething? They seem to bring out the
best in each other. Even when thetwo maintain a distance from each other,
letting gauzy curtains fall inbetween, the chemistry is so palpable, you can
cut through it.
Towardsthe end, when the marriage is actually consummated, comes a
scenestraight out of a fairy tale again with the sun casting its rays on
agilt-edged mirror and Jodhaa standing before it, all aglow. JodhaaAkbar say
those magic words to each other for the very first time andwhat follows is a
love song. Shot aesthetically, the song captures thesensuousness of the moment
beautifully, and leaves you wishing youcould see more this couple on screen.
Supporting Cast: A word here for these supporting actors. If you have seen Sonu
Sood in Aashiq Banaya Apne,you'd forgive him for the earlier travesty in the
name of acting. Thatchap holds his own as the troubled, tragic cousin of
Jodhaa, as doesNikitin Dheer, as the brother in law of Akbar. A word here also
for IlaArun, as the 'dai' of the emperor, whose possessiveness and scheming
mind make her the kind of 'saas'Ekta Kapor would have died for. A huge let
down is Poonam Sinha,Shatrughan Sinha's wife, whose guest appearance as Akbar's
mother makesyou wonder what made Ashutosh cast her in the role.
Verdict:A must watch, if you are a sucker for fairy tales and a Hrithik fan.And
of course, if you can sit through (approximately) three hours 40minutes.
Rating: 3/ 5
