Yesterday there was a major tiff between some protestors of Jodha Akbar and the cops resulting in a big ruckus in Sangli(Maharashtra). This triggered my temptation to actually see the film for myself and determine its worth. But boy! I cannot tell you how silly the film is, and how sillier these protests seem. Gowrikar ruined his Lagaan image by this one for sure. There are so many things wrong with the film, one begins to stop counting after a while. And yet I can say there is NOTHING in the film that warrants all these protests and demonstrations. People need to find some larger causes for such acts. And now the film –
Positives:
Both Roshan and Rai look beautiful as far as their faces are concerned. Both also tried to act their best. In fact one can go to the extent of saying that Ash looks much better in a traditional but strong role like in Bride and Prejudice.
Negatives:
The history angle is too weak. The legendary status that Gowrikar wanted to give the film is a total failure because this is just a simple love story, there is nothing historical or nothing legendary. The music is very poor, lyrics are even poorer. Not a word resonates with the audience. Gowrikar has spent money but uselessly and for irrelevant, untimely sequences. Dress sense is horrible. There was much ado about Jodha’s ornaments. They were okay. But the dress was not at all fit for a “rajkumari” or a “mallika”. Same with Akbar. I mean – he was a Badshah – his status ought to look larger than life, he ought to exude that overpowering personality. Neither character was dressed to exhibit this. In fact both looked like ordinary 18th century mortals.
All in all, I recommend this movie for the chemistry between Rai and Roshan…for nothing else.