जोधा Akbar

It has been only 5 days since Jodha Akbar was released and I have seen it already twice. The movie is certainly a good movie, though as has been said elsewhere by many critics, a tad too long.

A major reason for me seeing the movie for a second time were quite a few. Not only am I a fan of Hrithik Roshan, but I wanted to see the movie again for the apparent hurt it has caused the Rajput clan and as claimed by some Hindu Sentiments. Besides this, I wanted to see exactly why people had gone ga-ga over the battle sequences, which I had found mediocre in execution initially.



Well, Hrithik Roshan did impress me the second time around as well। The actor is one of the few actors today who emotes and communicates more through his eyes, than his actions। I remember my Grandmother saying that this fact was the big difference in the actors of the yesteryear, such as Raj Kapoor, Dilip Kumar, etc and the actors present today। Well, I think Mr. Roshan's acting skills would find approval from my Grandmother as well. He has quite nicely brought out a younger and temperamental side to Akbar, which would be quite a huge differentiation from the Akbar we have all read in history books.

Which clearly brings me to my second objective of seeing the movie again. Hurt Rajput sentiments is what we have all heard about for the past few weeks. Apparently, Jodha was the name of the daughter in law of Akbar. Hence, this distortion of fact by the director had hurt Rajput sentiments. Well, the director did say so in the opening slides of the film, about the liberty he had taken in choosing Jodha as the name, while history had recorded the name of Akbar's wife by many other names. His explanation ( and certainly not apology, as is being construed by some) was that the most famous and common name he had come across was Jodha, and hence used it. I totally agree with him on this point. Now, we have all studied the Mughals when we were in primary school, and our parents have always told us stories about the mughals, since they have had such a major impact on the history and culture of our country. Jodha was indeed the name we all read in our books, and was also the name we were always told of by our parents. So I fail to understand how the critics of the name have suddenly realised that, wait a minute, Jodha was the daughter in law and not the wife! I would put it down to some people/organization unnecessarily trying to attract attention. On the other hand, throughout the film, the Emperor Akbar praises Rajputs to no end. Describing the Rajputs as the bravest clan he has seen, I am sure, Akbar ( read Director) meant all the dis-respect he could show towards the Rajput sentiment. In a nutshell, there is no way this movie has dis-respected the Rajputs.

Also, some organizations claim that the movie has dis-respected and hurt Hindu sentiments. Again, where has it done so??? The Mughal emperor is shown taking off his shoes before entering temples; The Hindu traditions are observed during the wedding; all in all there has been no scene where Hindu sentiments could have been hurt. So my friends, another publicity stunt is what I would conclude.

Talking of stunts, the action sequences which I found mediocre initially, were really anything but. Though people will compare it to the Troys and the Gladiators, what must be appreciated is the scale on which certain sequences have been shot. The opening battle scenes are superb, but do contain a few bad shots, basically due to inattention to the extras fighting lamely. Besides that, the climax/concluding fight between Akbar and his Brother in law, or the sword fight between the emperor and his queen are superbly shot and technically quite sound, from my limited knowledge of such sequences.

Hence, I would recommend this movie to all movie-buffs, but saying that would also warn everyone that this is not a lesson in History. It is a romantic movie, which explores the relationship of the Emperor and his Queen. Try appreciating the differences in the cultures of the Mughals and the Rajputs and what Jodha & Akbar had to adjust to, and I am sure you will appreciate the movie much more.

Like Akbar keeps saying , " हुकुम की तामील हो ".