Movie review - Jodhaa Akbar
Posted by Simranjeet @ 6:11 pm February 15, 2008
Filed Under Actors, Actresses, Movie Review
Tadka spice - It could just have been another movie review, but for once we won’t concentrate on the storyline, as Jodhaa Akbar goes beyond, much beyond. We give you to the point answer to the question: why should one watch Jodhaa Akbar?
Watch it for Hrithik Roshan. The ace of aces, returns to the screen post Dhoom:2, in an avatar so capturing which affirms once again the fact that if there is anyone who can ever pose a challenge to Shah Rukh Khan or Aamir Khan, it’s him. As Akbar, the great emperor, he is perfection personified. Be it the anger in his eyes on being betrayed, or his flirtatious voice urging his love to follow him. Be it the ruler who goes amidst his public to understand their woes, or the thinker who treats each religion with respect. Be it the fighter who believes in trying everything before he resorts to bloodshed, or the merciless punisher with a heart torn apart. Just one verdict rules: as Akbar, and as the perfect actor, Hrithik rules. Period.
Watch it for Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. Little would one have guessed, that when she played the ambassador of India on foreign shores a couple of years back, she would go on the play the role of Mallika-e-Hindustaan Jodhaa, the fiery warrior princess with such e`lan. If there is anyone who can put to shame other actresses for playing bimbettes and basking in the glory of hits which have little to do with their roles, it’s Aishwarya. As Jodhaa. the intelligent, go getter, sword-wielding and clear headed princess, she gives Hrithik a tough competition and charms you to the core. There is no other female actor in the Indian Film Industry who could have played this role like her. It’s as much her movie, as it’s Hrithik’s.
Watch it for the Hrithik-Aishwarya chemistry. They set screens afire with their sizzling act in Dhoom:2. In Jodhaa Akbar, they do it without shedding their clothes, and by playing with the ‘adaa‘, ‘hayaa‘ and all the other nuances of body language. It’s in theirs walks through the fort, it’s in their face-off, it’s in their sword fighting, it’s in their respect and praise for each other. There is chemistry oozing out of each frame. And in case you happened to miss or hate the kiss in Dhoom:2, this one does a lot more without one. It will leave you asking for more. And somewhere in your heart you’ll feel, that this pair is going to be another Shah Rukh Khan-Kajol kinda pairing, one which will never fail. No wonder Hrithik said in an interview, that Aishwarya is his favourite co-star. Just one thing: once more. Please!
Watch it for Ashutosh Gowariker’s amazing direction. For the sets that he played with so beautifully, (designed by Nitin Chandrakant Desai) last seen almost six years ago in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Devdas. For the blood and gore that he displays without churning your stomach too much, yet sending across the effect. For understanding that the fighting scenes and the special effects in Indian Films can handle the fine act of balancing the two, without letting them overpower the pace. For bringing us a tale of ‘love is above all castes, religions and regions’, in sometimes slow (you have two intervals in this one) yet powerful visuals. For bringing to us the sheer pleasure of saying, “If there is one movie which should be watched only on the big screen, it’s Jodhaa Akbar.”
Watch it for the sweeping shots of dancers who rehearsed for hours and hours to get that one shot of a few seconds right. Watch it for Hrithik’s fight with the elephant, whom he had to serve five thousand bananas, only so he could shoot a thrilling sequence with him. Watch it for Aishwarya Rai’s skills with the sword, for which she trained for months. Watch it for A R Rahman’s music, which powered with the superbly crafted choreography by Raju Khan, Chinni Prakash and Rekha Prakash will leave you saying, “Was that for real?” Watch it for the supporting cast, comprising of Shatrughan Sinha’s wife Poonam returning to the screen after more than thirty years, Sonu Sood shedding his stupid/sleazy roles and trying to do something very meaningful, Ila Arun redefining the gameplans of Indian Film Industry’s meanies, and everyone from Kulbhushan Kharbanda, Suhasini Mulay and Raza Murad, whom we grew up watching on Doordarshan and of course, the big screen. Above all, watch it for a story told never before, and a story told- like never before.
For when you’ll walk out of the theatre near your home, you will know that Jodhaa Akbar isn’t just a movie, it’s an experience, not to be missed on the big screen. Go watch it!
Most Popular Stories
Comments
One Response to “Movie review - Jodhaa Akbar”
Leave a Reply
Ashutosh Gowariker has done a good job once again. The editor however shud have trimmed the first half. Full marks to Hrithik Roshan. He is Aamir Khan part 2 in perfection.