The plot derived from historical accounts and then cinematically adapted is much a figment of writer Haidar Ali’s imagination, which sadly isn’t very dynamic. And that’s the undoing of the film at large. Ali hasn’t been able to establish the dramatise personae - for instance, Akbar’s treacherous brother-in-law Sharifuddin and the dai’s wastrel son are confusingly similar. And please, where were Akbar’s fabled Navratnas including Birbal and Tansen? Only if the court drama was more meaningful, the characters more clearly etched, Akbar’s heroism was played up on the intellectual front rather than in never-ending hand-to-hand combats, it could have been the epic it was meant to be.
Technical Expertise
This royal saga is low on rhetoric as well as memorable lines or ‘dialogues’ and writer K P Saxena misses to score on an opportunity this big. But it makes up with it’s magnificent pageantry whenever shot on location. Emperor Akbar visiting Amer fort to pacify his Begum Jodhaa made for a stunning visual. Really, kudos to the entire team for recreating the magical grandeur of Moghul era.
Ravi Dewan’s action is spectacular. The film is worth a watch for Akbar’s taming the rogue elephant sequence. The sword fight between Jodhaa and Akbar is a visual treat. The battle scenes are shot and planned meticulously. Kiran Deohans’ cinematography is stunning, he captures the mystery of the forts and palaces very well.
A R Rehman’s music grows on you, and we wish there were more songs. The Khawja mere song and dance is captivating and even in one swirl that Hrithik takes as Akbar, he enthralls completely. Aishwarya encapsulates the fragile beauty and steely strength of the Rajput princess convincingly. Sonu Sood as Jodhaa’s betrayed cousin is a surprise package. As he springs on the horseback, he embodies the Rajput bravado.
Ashutosh Gowariker’s intent and technical expertise cannot be faulted. Only if he had let Ballu Saluja, the editor,.use his skills better and not stretched the climax duel so long as to try the viewer’s patience, this could have been truly a path-breaking film. Whether the film will spawn more in this genre, remains to be seen.
Verdict
Ashutosh gets a bright star for his sheer grit and conviction about choosing this subject,one for Hrithik and Aishwarya together for backing such an unusual project and a huge dazzling star for Ravi Dewan’s memorable action sequences.
