Review of Jodha Akbar
As the first few reels of Jodha Akbar started to roll on the screen, I was really amazed at Opulance & magnificence and energy which this film had. I was also amazed at how much care director had taken to frame each and every shot in this movie. But the main thing that really struck me was, what Ashutosh wanted to show in this movie, what his real intent was.
In the elaborately picturized war sequence right at the start, behind the opulence and grandeur that were very evident, there were eyes of little Akbar. The eyes shows calmness and most importantly love and peace in the back ground of the war that was shown. Now coming to the war scene, I could see director was clearly inspired by Lord of the Rings. There were elaborate use large elephants, canons and also bit of archery. I would definitely not compare this sequence with the Lord of the rings war sequence as the currency spent of this whole movie would have been spent one that one war scene in Lord of the Rings. So keeping this comparison out of the equation, I would say this war scene was Grandeur unlike any thing that has been shot in Indian cinema.
The story that proceeds after that war, is not about political maneuvering that is usually associated with historicals, is not about Nitin Desais imaginatively & painstakingly constructed sets or about brother sister relationship between Jodha & her brother Sujamal. It was about love & mutual admiration that Akbar & Jodha shared for each. It was about there love which transcended both there religions and was in many ways responsible for strengthening of the Hindu Muslim bond during those days. And these are the main points where this film scores. Don’t go and expect too much interplay between the film’s lead and supporting actors which was director’s trump card in Lagaan & Swades. This film is more about Akbar Jodha and there love than it was about any thing else. The love story has been picturized beautifully and both the lead actors show admirable chemistry. People know about wars Akbar fought and what all he conquered. Here it was interesting for me as viewer to see how he wooed his wife. It was also interesting to see a historical love story on screen which has never been documented or even heard.
The scenes in the movie that really work for me are –
1) Romantic interludes between Hrithik and Ash are picturized extremely well. It was interesting to see little bit of physical attraction between Akbar & Jodha. The scenes were Ash bares out of window to see Hrithik’s bare torso or Hrithik plays around with her when they have that sword fight. May be this is way people used to romance 15th & the 16th century.
2) As I have mentioned above also war scene that is picturized at the start of the Of the film has a grandeur that has never been witnessed on Indian screens.
3) The scene at the intermission point which shows misunderstanding between Hrithik Ash & Sonu Sood was a writing master stroke.
4) The climax scene where it would have been very easy show another war scene, Director smartly plays it down and shows a well picturized fist fight between Hrithik and guy playing his brother in law. I do agree that Troy was definitly an inspiration out here.
On the flip side the supporting actors don’t have much to do. The scenes showing Akbar regaining conscience after being stuck by arrow look very clichéd. Of the supporting cast, the person who really shines is guy who plays Akbar’s Senapati. He only comes in the initial few scenes, but that guy was vigor and energy personified. Sonu Sood as Ash’s brother & Ila Arun playing Hrithik’s Aunt are effective but script doesn’t have scope for them to perform.
On the acting front Hrithik and Ash really shine in this movie. Ash looks gorgeous and director smartly underplays her character. She makes her emote more with her beautiful eyes. Hrithik is sincere and gets into skin of his character. His body language his diction and of course his physique go along very well with the character that he plays. After seeing this movie I cannot imagine any other pair playing the roll of Akbar and Jodha. That should be Kudos to director for bringing out there characters so well. On technical front this film is absolutely brilliant. Dialogs by KP Saxena are razor sharp. Art design by Nitin Desai is grand and opulent. Music by Rehman is a pure master class. All songs have a certain quality in them. Special mention should go for songs Jashn E Behara sung beautifully by Jawed Ali, Khwaja mere Khwaja which is a pure spiritual sufi master stroke and last but not the least, Azeem shame Shahensha which is use of Orchestra & rich music at its best.
The film also benefits immensely from Amitabh’s voice over. His words at the end sum up the film beautifully as an undocumented love story that brought peace and harmony in our country. This definitely reminded me of the Lagaan master stroke of his voice over at the end of the film and simultaneous fading away of lead charecters in the screen. That according to me is one of the most imaginatively picturized moments in Indian screen. Another thing that I really liked about this movie was the use of songs. Each & every song is placed at the precise situation to enhance the narrative. The story & screen play is precise for a movie of this kind. Director makes sure that some thing or other keeps happening on screen and audience never have a dull moment. I would also like to comment on length of the movie which is some 3 hours 20 minutes. For me as audience what matters is the pace not the length. Even if the movie was little long it doesn’t test the patience. I would also like to comment on the director Ashutosh. It would be fare to say that no Indian director would have handled this subject & touched upon this subject like he has done. It would have been easy for him to treat this film as a war epic or get over powered by sets or have full fledged characters for the film’s supporting cast. But resisting all those temptations he made a movie that speaks about love harmony and peace, things which are still very much pertinent.
I would agree on the fact that this film does not have the energy or the freshness of Lagaan. It might not even have the universal acclaim that Lagaan had. But it is definitely, according to me, one of the most well made movies that I have scene in the resent times. It might not be a master piece but it is definitely a great film. Definitely a Job well done Ashutosh. I am eagerly waiting for your next, may be a tight crime thriller which is 2 hours long, some thing that will really test your variety as a director.