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MOVIE REVIEWS Movie Review - Jodhaa Akbar Magnificence reigns in period romance February 27, 2008 By Debashine Thangevelo Director: Ashutosh Gowariker Cast: Hrithik Roshan, Aishwarya Rai, Sonu Sood, Shaji Choudhary, Nikitin Dheer Classification: TBA Running Time: 3½ hours Rating: ***** Ashutosh Gowariker has delivered another fine masterpiece à la Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India with Jodhaa Akbar. The 16th century romance is magnificence amplified 10 times over, with a mélange of epic battles underscored by dark ambitions and burgeoning religious intolerance. Attention needs to be drawn to the fact that while Jodhaa Akbar is based on a real-life event, 70% of the film's make-up stems from Gowariker's imagination. Also, the film is as much about promoting religious tolerance as it is about a love story that was born out of a political alliance. The teaming of Dhoom 2 stars Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai works in the film's favour. These two actors share such amazing chemistry on-screen that one might assume they were off-screen lovers, if they weren't already married to other people. In the opening scene, a young Jalaluddin Mohammad is forced to take over as emperor after his father's death. Spurred on to remain true to his father's vision of ruling India by Raja Bharmal, Jalaluddin is pushed to stamp his authority by beheading a captive - but he is unable to comply with the request. This scene sums up Jalaluddin's moral standpoint and his strength as an honourable leader and sets the political and religious tone of the film Click here! . All grown up, Jalaluddin (Roshan) wants control of India, but he wants to do so by earning the respect of the people - a vision not shared by some. When King Bharmal of Amer arrives with a solution to a peaceful alliance between the Rajputs and the Mughals by offering his daughter Jodhaa (Rai) in marriage, Jalaluddin accepts. But Jodhaa is no pushover - she agrees to the marriage on condition that she doesn't have to abandon her religion and that she can have her own prayer room. While Jalaluddin is often caught between family responsibility and his obligations as an emperor, he also finds himself falling hopelessly in love with Jodhaa. How he wins her over and gains the respect and admiration of Indian people forms an exciting, nail-bitting and fitting climax. Roshan is phenomenal in his role. Rai delivers a compelling and fiery performance while Nikitin Dheer, as Sharifuddin Hussain, is simply brilliant in his villainous role. Another actor deserving of mention is Sonu Sood, who gives an earnest performance as Jodhaa's cousin who's denied his rightful place to the throne by her father. Although Jodhaa Akbar is longer than most films, Gowariker's adroit direction makes one overlook the time. The story moves fluidly and every actor is given ample scope. This is a truly superb period romance with first-rate cinematography. If you liked Lagaan, Asoka, Zubeidaa, Parineeta and Umrao Jaan you will enjoy this.
