Feb 15, 2008 09:10 PM
2192 Views
(Updated Feb 15, 2008 09:13 PM)
Its hard not to go into a Hrithik and Aishwarya starrer , directed by the man who made Lagaan and Swades Ashutosh G and not expect the moon.More often than not, expectations are the undoing of the moviegoer, and unfortunately JA is one of the "more often" cases than one of the "not" cases.It is a case of the whole being less than the sum of the parts.
A Romance works only if it is subtle and charming. And thats where JA works superbly. But when JA starts trying to narrate History it falls flat. Screenplay is very lousy. If not for the cacophonic Rehamn's Background score , most of the audience would have been put to sleep by the boring narrative. Added to that the film is soo long that one feels Grown up by the time JA ends. Ashutosh has made a fantastic piece of art but as a film JA doesnt work. Except for a few scenes, the film doesn't grip the viewers.
Scenes that worked are..
Jodha making Rajputana Khana for Akbar.
Akbar taming the elephant
Akbar disguising as a common man and visiting the Agra Bazaar
Akbar saying sorry to Jodha for misunderstanding her.
Akbar killing Adam khan for being a traitor.
But all these intersting scenes doesnt make even 1/10th of JA running time and get lost in the mishmash History lessons Ashu is trying to teach the audience. Watching JA is a tiresome experience.
Hrithik, is a outstanding. He is the life of this film. If anyone has the patience and courage to watch JA till the end credits its because of Hrithik. The kind of sincerity and passion he displays in playing his role is what makes the viewer tolerate JA. He is flawless. If there is any actor who really deserve to be the Numero Uno, it is undoubtedly Hrithik Roshan.
Ash is okay, looks beautiful displays her cleavge well in the "Lamhon ke daman" song. Histrionics wise, nuthing much to say. The Villain who played Shareefuddin was good.
None of the other characters have nuthing much to do. Ashutosh is a master in handling character artistes but here he falters.
Music is a weak point, except Azeem O Shaan Shahenshah nuthing works. Esp. Khwaja mere Khwaja is laughable. The expressions by the actors in that song is Hilarious. Even hrithik dancing in the end was quite funny.
Ashutosh tried to make something different, grand, Colossal but whatever works in the film is its simplicity. But when the film tries to be Magnum opus, it doesnt work.
Its a Disappointment from Ashutosh Gowariker, at the boxoffice nuthing much to look forward to.
1.29/5*
