Jodha Akbar Review!!

Jodha Akbar - A movie par excellance. I loved it guys. I saw it on the silver screen at AMC Mercado 20 in Santa Clara , USA. What a movie, what a movie. Ashutosh Gowariker has excelled himself I must say. The only negative thing I have to say about the movie is its length. It is almsot 4 hours long. A tad too long in my opinion.

Coming to the movie itself. It is a movie shot in splendour and is going to be known for perfect casting, breathtaking cinematography and poignant love story. Breaking it down into smaller parts :

Casting:

• Hrithik is Akbar in all his glory. He fits the part to a T. I have read several comments where he is too young to portray Akbar but not true. The story is of a young Akbar. He fits it beautifully. I dont know of any other actor who could have portrayed Akbar in all his "humanness" so well. We all know about Akbar the emperor and the statesman. But this movie is of Akbar the man who falls in love with a beautiful woman who happens to be his wife.


• Aishwarya Rai as Jodha is breathtakingly beautiful and is haunting in most scenes. The only other person who could have played this role to perfection is probably Madhuri Dixit in her heydays. Aishwarya does the role with poise, grace and perfection. She is superb to say the least.


• Ila Aruni as Badi Ammi is most perfectly cast and is a pleasure to watch. She portrays her rage and angst very vividly and with aplomb. Her eyes speak more than her mouth.


• Sonu Sood as Sujamal is very aptly cast. He is easy on the eyes and very believeable in the war scene and during his discussion with Safiruddin.

Cinematography:

Kiran Deohans has excelled himself. The war scenes and the song sequences are very nicely picturised and very grand and opulent. The use of camels, elephants and infantry is very apt and adds a nice touch of authenticy and adds the "periodness" to the film. The song sequences for Khwaja mere khwaja song and for the Azeem-o-shaan-shahenshah is very nicely done.

Direction:

Ashutosh did a great job with Lagaan and he has maintained the same name for Jodha Akbar also. He has done a lot of research for this movie and is shows in his locale choices, costume choices and casting choices. The romance between Akbar and Jodha is understated and gradual. No overt shows of passion or loveplay is exhibited and it is very fitting for a romance between an emperor and his wife. The war sequence and the sword play and the fight sequnece at the end is very well done. Here are some of his best directional sequences:

• The taming of the elephant by Akbar and especially the final jump he takes to sit on the elephant's back.


• The song Khwaja mere khwaja where Akbar himself joins in with the singers. Very well shot.


• Akbar's concentration falters when he is listening to Badi Ammi's lecture when he sees Jodha in the pavilion.


• Jodha's fascination with Akbar while Akbar is practising sword play without his top. That's where Jodha first falls for Akbar I think. What a physique Hrithik has! Total eye candy!! One of the best scenes in the whole film.


• Jodha and Akbar's sword play in Ajmer and their fascination with each other during the entire sequence.


• The picturisation of Azeem-o-shaan-shahenshah song.


• The final one on one fight with Sharifuddin.

Music:

Music by A. R. Rahman is very melodious but not his best. The songs are lilting and catchy but none stand out exceptionally. Defininely good but not outstanding.

All in all, this movie is woth watching on the big screen. Once the DVD comes out, it is definitley worth purchasing and keeping it in one's personal collection. If you get a chance to see it on the big screen, please go and watch it on the silver screen.

Kay gives it an 8 out of 10.

Kay...