Jodha Akbar-Hrithik Roshan, Aishwarya Rai
Director Ashutosh Gowariker's Tribute to Hindu Muslim Marriage
Aug 20, 2009
Akbar (Hrithik Roshan), in his quest to consolidate Mughal rule in India, accepts the hand of a Rajput Hindu princess in marriage, despite severe opposition from the Islamic clergy.
Aishwarya Rai as Princess Jodha: Royal Romance
Princess Jodha (Aishwarya Rai) is deeply resentful of a marriage that is basically a political alliance since she was betrothed to a Hindu prince in childhood. She insists that she be allowed to practice her religion with a shrine to be built in her new abode after marriage.
Akbar agrees, but has to face the wrath not only of religious leaders who are already furious, but also his respected elder Mahamanga (Ila Arun). A plot ensues to create rifts between the newlyweds. This results in Jodha's expulsion from the royal palace, her return to her parental home, and increased tensions between husband and wife. Jodha then challenges the emperor's ability to rule his conquered lands, and leads Akbar to rethink and reshape his policies.
Several Novel Scenes in Jodha Akbar
Jodha Akbar may be a historical, but it presented several scenes from Indian history as never before
- The taming of the wild elephant by Akbar
- The 'sindoor' song sequence beautifully depicts the first face to face encounter between the young emperor and princess Jodha after marriage. Akbar dutifully honors his wife's sentiments by applying 'sindoor' on her forehead, a symbolic Hindu tradition
- The royal kitchen scene when Jodha insists on cooking for her husband
- The much publicized swordfight between husband and wife, to decide who will prevail in the battle of their egos
- The Agra Bazaar episode shows Akbar travelling incognito to understand the common man's issues, only to be mistaken for a penniless pauper by a shopkeeper
- The calligraphy scene. Jodha teaches herself the art of calligraphy and demonstrates her new found skill to her husband. To her dismay, he cannot understand, and sheepishly confesses to being illiterate.
A Magnum Opus with a Heart
Director Ashutosh Gowarikar has chosen a 15th century Hindu Muslim alliance to be the focus of his lavish historical, and he treats it with great sensitivity. But the script is at times brilliant, at times slow, didactic and meandering. A little more editing was required. Hrithik Roshan largely carries the film on his shoulders, as he essays the transition of the young emperor from a fierce warrior to a benevolent ruler. Aishwarya Rai looks gorgeous as the fiery princess, but her dialogue delivery falls short of dramatic. Ila Arun springs a surprise as the scheming Mahamanga, for she is articulate and a picture of veiled venom.
- Released in: 2008
- Run time: 3 hours, 25 minutes
- Director: Ashutosh Gowarikar
- Starring: Hrithik Roshan, Aishwarya Rai, Ila Arun, Sonu Sood
- Music: AR Rehman
