* http://www.thestatesman.net/page.news.php?clid=18&theme=&usrsess=1&id=194905 * ** *Movie montage: Jodhaa Akbar* Cast: Hrithik Roshan, Aishwarya Rai, Ila Arun, Sonu Sood, Suhasini Mulay, and others. Director: Ashutosh Gowariker Music: AR Rahman Cinematography: Kiran Deohans Producers: Lawrence D'Souza, Ashutosh Gowariker
Not for the masses This is one film that has been facing a lot of controversy — since weeks before its release — for alleged misrepresentation of facts. What with two states of India already banning it, and the mixed reviews it has received, you might be wondering whether Jodhaa Akbar is worth watching. Well, for one, Ashutosh Gowariker's Bollywood record is quite impressive, with both of his previous films (Lagaan and Swades) being wonderfully remarkable films in their own right. Hrithik roshan too has been doing exceptionally well since 2006, and Aishwarya Rai is one of the top actors in Bollywood. So you can expect Jodhaa Akbar to be a good flick. But does it live up to your expectations? It sure does. Jodhaa Akbar is a portrayal of a part of the lives of the Mughal emperor Akbar and the Rajput princess Jodhaa in roughly three parts- their youth, their wedding, and their married life. The first part deals with Akbar's slow but steady construction of his empire, and Jodhaa's life in the royal palace of Amber. The second deals with all the problems that must accompany a first-of-its-kind Hindu-Muslim alliance that is actually a political move. The third is about Akbar's efforts to win over not only Jodhaa but also his subjects, simply because he had been told: "Aap sirf jeetna jaante hain, raj karna nahin." Sounds interesting? Not really. After all, you don't want to spend nearly four hours watching a film go on and on about an emperor's love life or his administrative policies, do you? How about some conflicts, some action, even if some of it looks copied from Mission Impossible 2? And so a number of sub-plots are introduced, dealing with how Akbar's 'daai maa' Maham Anga (Ila Arun) makes life difficult for Jodhaa, how Jodhaa's cousin Sujamal (Sonu Sood) wants to take over the throne of Amber, and how Akbar's brother-in-law conspires to capture the throne of Agra. Hrithik Roshan is amazing in the role of Akbar. So far, he has been best known for his dancing abilities. In 'Jodhaa Akbar' he hardly gets to showcase his talent in doing the boogie-woogie, but the film ensures that henceforth, Hrithik Roshan will also be known for his expressive eyes.. Akbar the powerful yet 'rahamdil' emperor, Akbar the pious devotee, Akbar the obedient and loyal son (and son-in-law), Akbar the humble magnate who's always working on improving himself, Akbar the lovesick young man… there are multiple aspects to Akbar's character and Hrithik lives and breathes in each of these myriad faces of Akbar excellently. Aishwarya sheds the usual glam-girl image; it is instead substituted by the regal pride and obstinacy, mixed with a touch of vulnerability, that you expect to see in a princess. She essays the role of Jodhaa so perfectly that you have to admit- even if you're not a big Aishwarya fan- that perhaps nobody could have done it so well. As for the other actors, Sonu Sood and Ila Arun give outstanding performances in their respective roles. And it's needless to add that Ashutosh Gowariker's direction is absolutely fantastic. Another remarkable aspect about the film is its cinematography. From the dusty deserts of Rajputana to the magnificent splendour of the royal palaces of Agra, Kiran Deohans' camera has captured everything beautifully. Music. A R Rahman has long been acknowledged as one of the best contemporary music composers in Bollywood; he again teams up with Gowariker to produce some memorable music - but the credit isn't his alone: all the playback singers (Javed Ali, Sonu Nigam, Madhushree, Bela Shende, and others) have done their jobs remarkably well and deserve accolades for their performance. However, there are two drawbacks. First is that Jodhaa Akbar runs for way too long, and it's difficult to sit patiently till the end. Secondly, this is clearly not a film for the masses. Most of the film being in chaste Urdu or shudh Hindi, the dialogues are rather difficult to follow even for an educated audience. So is Jodhaa Akbar a must-see? Perhaps not. But if you do watch the movie, you are unlikely to feel that it was not worth the time or the money. So go watch it. Aparajita Bhattacharya, Coordinator, The Future Foundation School -- regards, Vithur A.R.Rahman - The Adorable Human Being
