A grand love affair
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Stories Posted On Friday, February 15, 2008
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Meena Iyer
FILM: Jodhaa Akbar
DIRECTOR: Ashutosh Gowariker
ACTORS: Hrithik Roshan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan
Mirror Ratiing: * * * *
Ashe pierces the air with his sword, his bare torso perfect, musclestaut, and
sweat glistening on his sinewy back, Hrithik Roshan in hisscreen version of
Mughal Emperor Jalaluddin Akbar makes you catch yourbreath.
Gowariker's film is set in the sixteenth century andit traces the graph of a
confused but conscientious teenage prince, whohas a crown thrust upon his head.
Though he is initially squeamishabout getting his sword bloodied, he manages
to become the emperor ofHindustan with relative ease; and through his conquests
and deeds winshimself the title of Akbar the Great.
A still from Jodhaa Akbar
Simultaneously the film also follows the trajectory of Akbar's
lovestory with the Rajput princess Jodhaa. Their dalliance is a
politicallymotivated move, but it has the magic of a true-blue romance.
Thefirst 20 minutes of the film unfold slowly because the plot-line andthe
various characters are established slowly. But once theJodhaa-Akbar marriage is
arranged, the magic of romance takes over.Interestingly the reticent Rajput
princess Jodhaa (Aishwarya) is nottoo eager to give herself up to the
all-powerful Mughal Emperor Akbar.And she walks into the relationship by laying
down conditions; of howshe will not convert to Islam; and she also requests for
a temple to bemade in her corner of the palace.
An indulgent Akbar agrees tofulfil his queen's wishes much to the chagrin of
the hardliners in hiscourt. And though he's liberal in thought, Jodhaa takes
her own sweettime to warm up to her Prince Charming.
Here-in lies the magicof this love story. The fact that the couple don't
consummate theirwedding on their first night; the fact that much of the romance
isplayed out aankhon hi aankhon mein adds a lot of colour and characterto this
story. You get none of those been-there-done-that romanticcliches.
Instead, Hrithik almost maks you smile as hecaresses Aishwarya with his his
longing, soulful eyes. And she, inturn, looks vulnerable and virginal as is
expected of her.
Obviouslywhile the romance between Jodhaa and Akbar is the mainstay of the
plotthere are several other dramatic moments provided by sub-plotsrevolving
around deceit, conspiracy, murder and jealousy.
IlaArun (Moham Anga) Akbar's surrogate mother and his queen Jodhaa arelocked in
a battle of jealousy; and then there is the emperor'sbrother-in-law played by
debutant Nikitin Dheer (Shariffuddin Hussain),who keeps making innumerable
plots to overthrow Akbar.
KironDeohans's cinematography is ostentatious. The vibrant colours andimages
stay with you long after the lights come on. Dialogue writer KP Saxena comes
up with some powerful lines.
And Gowariker and story-writer Haider Ali provide a competent sceeenplay.
AR Rahman weaves magic with his sufiana 'Khwaja mere khwaja' and JavedAkhtar
captures the magical mood perfectly in 'Azeem-o-shaanShahenshah' and 'Khwaja
mere...'
As for the performances,Hrithik Roshan brings to life Emperor Akbar in all his
glory. Theactor is superlative in the intense moments, and charismatic when he
isplaying the romantic.
Aishwarya Rai-Bachchan looks picture-perfect and fits into queen Jodhaa's shoes
with her restrained performance.
Of the supporting cast Ila Arun and Nikitin Dheer deliver.
Butthis enterprise belongs fully to Ashutosh Gowariker (Lagaan, Swades)who with
his grand vision and utmost sincerity makes thislarger-than-life-reel
experience worth the price of a multiplex ticket.
Thelast time Hrithik and Aishwarya got together in Dhoom 2, they gave thebox
office an adrenaline rush. Jodhaa-Akbar is unlikely to repeat thatfeat.
Amitabh Bachchan in his voice-over rightly says that Jodhaa-Akbaris a chapter
in history that didn't get its due. Gowariker's versionmight not make make
history either but it will definitely add toBollywood's repertoire of quality
films.
