Mar 12, 2008 03:51 PM
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History has always been my favourite subject and that’s why I always look forward to historic/period films. And therefore, I was very keen on watching Jodhaa Akbar since I heard about it. The film was slated for release on October 12 last year but due to the pending post-production work, the film was postponed to January 25. But unfortunately, due to Ashutosh Gowarikar’s back ache problem, the film was further pushed ahead. Finally, it released on February 15. But unfortunately I was not able to watch it during its release time as I was busy with my exams. So as soon as my exams got over, the first thing I did was to watch this magnum opus! And contrary to most of the people’s views on this flick, I found this movie thoroughly interesting and completely entertaining. The film was lengthy and does bore at places, but overall, it was a complete satisfying experience for me!
The story of the movie: In the year 1556 when the 2nd Mughal Emperor Humayun accidently died, there arose a state of confusion and tension. Humayun’s trusted friend and guide Bairam Khan (Yuri) decided to crown Humayun’s minor son Akbar on the throne, with Bairam Khan acting as his regent. When Akbar (Hrithik Roshan) became adult and mature, he proclaimed that he is old enough to rule the empire and freed Bairam from regency by ordering him to go to Mecca for pilgrimage. Akbar then sent a message to all the neighbouring Rajput kingdoms that they should give up their kingdoms or engage in a battle with the Mughal forces. But the king of Amer, Raja Bharmal (Khulbhushan Kharbanda) agreed to have an alliance with Akbar but on one condition-that he should marry his daughter Jodhaa (Aishwariya Rai). Akbar, after giving this a thought, agreed to this. At Amer, Jodhaa was not at all happy about her marriage but she had no other choice. Even various people in Akbar’s court and Mahamanga (Ila Arun), a mother to Akbar, didn’t like this alliance. How Akbar managed to tide over this crisis and how he finally won over Jodhaa is what this movie about.
Jodhaa Akbar not only concentrates on the love story between the couple. It throws light on Akbar’s bravery, his own unique ways of handling the empire etc and his battles. But in this process, the film focuses on the romance too. In short, the film perfectly brings about a balance between the two and makes up for an interesting experience!
The movie also wonderfully depicts the Mughal administration. One mostly believes that life of a king in the olden times was a bed of roses and that they live luxuriously. Jodhaa Akbar shows that life was tough for kings and the problems and conflicts they had to face. Brilliant!!
But the best portion of the movie has to be the one in the 2nd half wherein Akbar takes a round of Agra Bazaar in disguise, the problems which he sees there and the resulting laws that he makes. It was a fantastic scene which clearly shows Akbar’s humane methods, his policy of secularism and why he’s known as the great Mughal ruler!
The film has some of its flaws too. Firstly and the most important, the length of the movie. The movie is around 3 hrs 25 minutes. The intermission is after 2 hours. Some of the sequences were very slow and quite boring and I think they should had been edited or shortened, though it may had affected the film’s impact. Secondly, 2 of the songs-‘Khwaja Mere Khwaja’ and ‘In Lamho Ke’ were too long and the director should have shown only a part of it.
Now to the performances. Hrithik Roshan gives an outstanding performance. With his strong physique and bravery, romance and pride reflecting on his face, he was the perfect choice of Akbar. I don’t think there’s anyone in this world that could have done complete justice to the role of Akbar. This performance would surely be long remembered as one of the mightiest performances by any Bollywood actor!
Aishwariya Rai also gives a splendid performance. Much has been said about her by many but her outstanding role in the movie will surely silence them all. She maintains her strong position throughout the movie. She was completely into the skin of her character and performed wonderfully!
Sonu Sood as Sujamal was terrific! We have seen him in duds like Sheesha, Aashiq Banaya Aapne and in an inconsequential role in Yuva, but here in Jodhaa Akbar, he is in full form and shows his wonderful acting talent. He surely has a long way to go!
Ila Arun does a great job in a negative role. Khulbhushan Kharbanda was complete natural as usual. I hope I can see him in more movies. Yuri leaves a deep impact, even though he was there only in the beginning. Nikitin Dheer as Sharifuddin looked awesome and does a great job as the villain of the movie. Punam Sinha, Rajesh Vivek, Pramod Moutho (Todarmal), Abeer Abrar also did a great job. Others were also good.
A R Rahman’s music was as usual soulful and highly melodious. I think he’s the perfect music composer for the period films! There were 5 songs in all and the best among them has to be Azeem-O-Shaan Shahenshah! It was marvelously picturised and makes you happy and get in a good mood! And his background score was also very effective, especially the loud one played when Akbar is shown angry!
Javed Akhtar beautifully penned the words, keeping the mind the genre of the movie. K P Saxena’s dialogues were simple and neat and there were no words worth applauding in the movie. The words were a blend of both Hindi and Urdu-while Hrithik spoke in Urdu; Ash spoke in ‘shuddh Hindi’.
Kiran Deohans’ cinematography was outstanding. The lensman amazingly captured the different scenes with ease. The cinematography was best in the battle scenes and in the ‘Azeem-O-shaan’ song. In fact, one of the reasons for the film’s perfectness is its cinematography!
Ravi Dewan’s action sequences were terrific. They looked completely real and at the same time, matched to the global standards! Great work, Mr Dewan!
One cannot forget the contribution of Nitin Desai, the art director! It was because of his grand, huge, royal set that the film gets a feel of uniqueness and royalty! The way the sets are erected gives a clear proof of Nitin Desai’s brilliant and creative vision! And it’s great to know that the set won’t be destroyed and would be open to public!!
Special mention should also be made of Pankaj Khandpur, who headed the Visual Creative Labs (VCL) which provided the effects in the movie. The effects were wonderful and matched to the global standards. It proves that Indian movies are no more inferior and also has the ability to use the best of effects!
Haider Ali wrote a great story. He wonderfully added little drama and fictitious characters to make the movie watchable and little dramatic. But he could have done a better job in the screenplay. The screenplay, at times, was not as engrossing. If the movie had been completely interesting and engrossing, the movie would have become a masterpiece!
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