Movie Review: Jodhaa Akbar- Befitting a Shahenshah!

Movie befitting a Shahenshah! Ashuthosh Gowarikar has delivered this jewel by simplifying the elaborate complexities in the royal love story. In his unique way of movie making, he has taken care of all the nuances to give it the most authentic feel without overdoing any bit of the story. The couple were betrothed only for political reasons but thereafter Cupid sets to work and Ashutosh Gowarikar portrays it and how!

Like Lagaan, this period film starts with Amitabh's baritone setting the story in motion with a 15th century map of India. After Baadshah Humayun's untimely death, Prince Jalaluddin had to accept the weight of ruling Hindustan on his early teens. Bairam Khan, the fiercely loyal general of Mughals, set his eyes on expanding the Mughal Empire for Jalal. Hrithik (born to play Akbar), lights up the screen as the teenage prince turned Shahenshah.

The youthful Jalal intends to take his own decisions after a battle between the Rajputana Kings refuse to surrender their kingdom. Bairam Khan is sent on 'exile' to Mecca and the vanquished Rajput king spared to rule his kingdom under Jalauddin. Its been a long time since we last saw such elaborately set war sequences in Indian cinema. The numbers of people marshalled to recreate the Mughal force was itself a treat to watch. Raja Bharmal, played by Kulbhushan Kharbanda, visits Jalal and proposes him to marry his daughter to save his kingdom from his nephew Sujamal's conspiracy.

The taming a wild elephant scene by Jalaluddin is fantastic and one of the many 'not to be missed scenes' in the movie. It was very well shot and depicted the bravery Mughal Emperors reputedly possessed. Very unlike the usual Bollywood scenes, the hero did not have 'extraordinary abilities' to jump as high as an elephant but uses his mental ability to do that, not brute force.

When fate gets Jalaluddin and Jodha betrothed, the political drama ceases and gives way to the romance which blossoms in an unconventional way. Jalal, being a just Emperor gives his wife the honour she deserves and also allows her to follow her religion inside Agra fort. This leads to vehement opposition from one particular Mullah/priest in Akbar's court whom he later sends to Mecca (was it Akbar's hobby? :)). The love blossoms within the walls of Agra Fort though it pricks the eye of many including Jalal's foster mother, Maham Anga, played villainously to the core by Ila Arun.

The movie ends with a hand-duel between Jalal and Sharifuddin, his vile conspirator brother-in-law. Though, the villain is more muscular and well sculpted, Akbar's dialogue sets his intentions straight even before the fight begins 'Hindustan ko mein galat haathon mein nahin jaane de sakta'.

A.R. Rehman cannot stop making good music relevant to the theme. He seems to have a disease of enchanting the listeners. Though the music is not catchy as soon as you listen to the songs in the movie, you will have it on your lips sooner than you think. The Sufi song Khwaja Mere Khwaja, is shown without slightest pretense of being what it is not (a regular movie song). The Sufi singers wear the authentic clothes complete with upturned flowerpot-like hats and sing as if they were the real Sufi singers of the 15th century(or so it feels to the viewers). 'Kehne ko jahsn-e-bahaara hai..' is another cherry in the cake baked by Rehman. The lyrics also are written with heart and soul poured in every stanza. The entire kingdom hails Jalal and confers him the title 'Akbar' with the song 'Azeem-o-shaan shhenshah', which is the catchiest song of the movie. It is complete with aerial shots of dance sequences (a la Republic Day parade by different states of India).

The pure urdu and chaste Hindi used in the movie is easy to understand and adds to the charm of the love story. Hritik looks as handsome as ever and Aishwariya is unparalleled in her onscreen beauty. This might be one of the best performances of the duo.

I am unsure whether Ashutosh Gowarikar has taken any historical liberty and modified facts but the movie is an entertainer. See it for Hritik, See it for Aish, see it for Mr. Gowarikar's direction and see it for the love story - see it for yourself.

If 5 stars is the scale you prefer, I would give it a 4 undoubtedly.