Jodha Akbar Movie Review – IndiaFM

Jodha Akbar Review – Official Indicine review

Jodha Akbar directed by Oscar nominated film (Lagaan) director Ashutosh Gowarikar is a historical love story featuring superstar Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan as Akbar and Jodha. The movie has been in the making for the last 2 and a half years. The first release date was October 12th 2007, but soon postponed to January 25th 2008. Ashutosh suffered from a back problem and again the movie was postponed to a day after Valentines day, February 15th. The movie was also surrounded by a lot of controversy which helped build up the curiosity level. Jodha Akbar is Hrithik Roshan’s first release after Dhoom 2 (2006) and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan’s first release post her marriage to Abhishek Bachchan.

Taran Adarsh of Bollywood Hungama has just published the first detailed review of the movie and rates it 4 stars on 5.

Note:- This is NOT the official Indicine Review. Check out our official review here – Jodha Akbar Review

Jodha Akbar Review

Let’s get one thing straight: You haven’t watched anything so opulent, so magnificent like this in a long, long time on the Hindi screen. It’s not just body beautiful, but there’s soul as well.

It requires courage, prowess, patience, aptitude, knowledge, passion and of course, loads of currency to attempt a movie like Jodhaa Akbar. But more than anything else, it requires your firm belief in the subject, the belief to attempt a historical when historicals are considered an absolute no-no in the industry, the belief to spend almost Rs 40 crore in a film that could go either ways.

Only when you’re convinced yourself can you convince millions of moviegoers. And convinced you are after watching Jodhaa Akbar, a film of epic proportions.

Now let’s clear a few misconceptions pertaining to the film…

It’s blasphemous to compare Mughal-E-Azam and Jodhaa Akbar. While Mughal-E-Azam was primarily about the legendary romance between Salim and Anarkali, a subject that has been attempted quite a few times on the Hindi screen before, Jodhaa Akbar is about the relationship that the young Akbar shared with Jodhaa.

A lot has been said and written about its length [3.20 hours]. Does the viewer of today have the patience to watch a really lengthy film in today’s times? But once into Jodhaa Akbar, the sequence of events, the drama, the romance, the war… every aspect keeps you mesmerized. Oh yes, the length does pinch you at one crucial point [second hour, which is relatively shorter], when a song breaks out. Otherwise, the 3 + hours are very well spent.

When you watch historicals like Mughal-E-Azam and Razia Sultan, the usage of chaste Urdu is difficult to comprehend at times. Not here! The language is simplified – Akbar speaks in Urdu, Jodhaa in Hindi – and it’s easy to decipher.

As a cinematic experience, it would be wrong to compare Jodhaa Akbar to any of Ashutosh Gowariker’s previous endeavors. Why, it would be erroneous to compare the film with any film ever made before in this genre. This one stands out and stands out the tallest.

To sum up, Jodhaa Akbar leaves you spellbound, enthralled, entranced and awestruck. Ashutosh Gowariker makes the legendary characters come alive on screen.

Set in the sixteenth century, Jodhaa Akbar is a love story about a marriage of alliance that gave birth to true love between a great Mughal emperor, Akbar, and a Rajput princess, Jodhaa. Little did Akbar [Hrithik Roshan] know that when he married Jodhaa [Aishwarya Rai Bachchan], he would be embarking upon a new journey — the journey of true love.

The daughter of King Bharmal of Amer [Kulbhushan Kharbanda], Jodhaa resented being reduced to a mere political pawn in this marriage of alliance, and Akbar’s biggest challenge now did not merely lie in winning battles, but in winning the love of this defiant princess.

One of the prime reasons why Jodhaa Akbar works is because the present-day viewer is unaware of the romance between Akbar and Jodhaa. Sure, we all know of Akbar as a great emperor, but the love story makes for a refreshing subject. And the execution of a number of sequences makes Jodhaa Akbar extremely special.

Some instances:

  • The war sequence at the very outset. You realise the scale and magnitude of the film at the very beginning.
  • Hrithik taming an out-of-control elephant. It’s hair-raising.
  • The two pre-conditions set by Jodhaa, before her marriage to Akbar. Very interesting.
  • The confrontation between Ila Arun and Ash at the kitchen, when Ash decides to make the meal herself.
  • The immediate sequence, when Ash is asked to taste the food herself by Ila before she’s about to serve the food to the Emperor and his associates. Once done, Hrithik demanding that he be served the meal from the same platter that Jodhaa had used.
  • The intermission point, which sows the seeds of a misunderstanding between Hrithik and Ash.
  • Post-interval, Hrithik returning to Amer to get Ash back to Agra and the welcome ceremony by his mother-in-law [Suhasini Mulay].
  • The sword fight the very next morning, between Hrithik and Ash.
  • The Azeem-o-Shaan Shahenshah track, when the entire kingdom hails Hrithik.
  • The fight in the climax [reminds you of the fight between Brad Pitt and Eric Bana in Troy].

Amazing moments indeed…

Ashutosh Gowariker knows that historicals have to be simplified while narrating on celluloid so that the moviegoer is able to grasp and comprehend the plotline and the sequence of events. Thankfully, Jodhaa Akbar is not in the least difficult to decipher. Gowariker’s handling of the subject deserves the highest praise, for it’s not everyday that you come across a film like Jodhaa Akbar.

A.R. Rahman’s music is not the type that you take to instantly, but yes, it gels beautifully with the mood of the film. Azeem-o-Shaan Shahenshah and Jashn-e-Bahara are the best tracks in terms of tune. In terms of choreography, Azeem-o-Shaan Shahenshah is awe-inspiring, while the execution of Khwaja Mere Khwaja is outstanding. Rahman’s background score is simply extra-ordinary.

There’s no room for dullness in Haider Ali and Gowariker’s screenplay. The writing is tight, the drama keeps you hooked and the romantic track is wonderful. The film also talks of secularism, an issue so vital in today’s times. K.P. Saxena’s dialogues are amazing. At places, soaked in acid. The writer comes up with several gems, yet again. Kiran Deohans’ cinematography matches international standards. The movement of camera at various places, especially in the battlefield, is breath-taking. Also, the D.O.P. captures the grandeur to the fullest. The production design [Nitin Chandrakant Desai] is, again, awesome. Recreating the bygone era requires not just money, but also the vision and Desai proves his supremacy yet again.

Be it the war sequences or the sword fights or general action, Ravi Dewan’s contribution to the film is incredible. Especially noteworthy is the fight between Hrithik and Nikitin Dheer in the climax. It’s simply outstanding! Editing [Ballu Saluja] is perfect, although the romantic song between Hrithik and Ash can be shortened in the second hour. The costumes [Neeta Lulla] as also the jewelry also deserve special mention.

Jodhaa Akbar also works because of the right casting. It’s difficult to imagine anyone else in the role of Emperor Akbar. Hrithik seems born to play this role and he enacts it with such precision, such flourish, such confidence that it leaves you asking for more. A mind-boggling performance without doubt!

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is superb. Oh yes, she looks ethereal — a compliment she has heard a trillion times before. What’s new in that? But watch her emote in this film. You realise the amazing talent that has hitherto not been tapped by any movie maker. A flawless performance indeed!

Jodhaa Akbar has a host of characters, but the ones whom you carry home, besides Hrithik and Ash, are Sonu Sood [excellent], Nikitin Dheer [fantastic], Ila Arun [electrifying; her finest work so far], Punam S. Sinha [graceful], Kulbhushan Kharbanda [perfect], Raza Murad [effective] and Rajesh Vivek [good]. Amitabh Bachchan’s rich barritone voice adds lustre to the magnum opus.

On the whole, Jodhaa Akbar is, without a shred of doubt, a brilliant film in all respects. This historical has all it takes to prove the first blockbuster of 2008. Very strongly recommended!

Rating: ★★★★☆ 4 stars on 5

Also check out the official Indicine Review.. Go here – Jodha Akbar Review

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138 Comments

  • the best movie i hv seen in a long time.seriously people, this was da ultimate cinematic experience ever!probably hrithik’s best performance ever n aishwarya still got her acting edge intact.damn she looks stunning than ever before! the movie was kinda long but the events kept me glued to ma seat. the director has proven once again how incredible he can be!the chemistry between ash n hrithik is greater than dhoom 2’s. a huge 2 thumbs up!a must watch to all!a grand story with heart!

  • This is one of the best best best movies I have seen. It is so amazing to see nice picturization, and the acting of both hrithik and aiswariya. I think its the high time now that Hrithink Should act in one big Hollywood movie. He has everything to make a good movie in Hollywood and can get a good name to our country as Well.

    Hail Hrithik

  • OMG—- Hrithink is on song, giving the hits like krish,Dhoom2 and now the block buster Jodha Akbar. He is the outstanding actor in bollywood who comes with a complete package. No other actor can come close to him either bolly or holly.

  • Yes I do agree with above comments. As of today, I think Hrithik is the one who can give a message to the world about his talent and indian cinema. Initially I used see some khans movies but they are really bored they do the routine. But Hrithik challenges different roles. For example in krish like a super man. In Dhoom 2 excellent robber and finally in JA like a king. He justifies all the roles.

  • too good!spread the word!jodha akbar is a great movie! it was a sensational that i didnt want it to end.stunning peformances from hrithik and aishwarya.my no. 1 jodi in bollywood.aishwarya was just natural n she glowed all through the movie.ashutoshu, i give props .just amazing!da cinema hall was just transfixed on da screen!incredible !!!

  • first ,great movie!hrithik was spellbounding!aishwarya took my breath away every time she came to da frame.favourite scene when she stood up n triwled for akbar when they accepted each other!simply breath taking! hrithik was great,he had da posture n strengh of akbar.i enjoyed it immensely!i’ll go see it again!great message too of peace n respect of different religions!a must watch!A+

  • One word! OUTSTANDING!!!

    A great great great great movie.. Deserves every award.. Best actor, Best actress, Best director, Best movie!

    This movie is a classic!

    Go watch it in theatre not on DVD.. its a Theatre experience!

    5 / 5

  • i really hope nobody listens to critics and pays attention to the time. if you can spare it it will be worth it for you. its gripping, dramatic, romantic, beautiful and so much more , its borderlne perfection! its at the top of my favourite movies ever list!!! hrithik roshan is spectacular as akbar and ash is brilliant as jodha, these two together are like fire! the battles are terrific, i was afraid too look away incase i missed anything. this film is the best of the best, and its a real cinematic experience!!! i agree with the other post on here, all awards should be given too this film, best actor, best actress, best director etc. plus the music is so magical its exquisite!!

  • well i really loved the movie…it really tells about how a real emperor akbar is! how he raised himself…his views….!!! for those people who say the movie is boring… i have to say …u have to understand that its a period flick…now u cant expect people and babes coming in bikini to entertain u for 3 hours…so grow up on that….people who are in true love and real love would find the last song really…romantic…and all the songs are wonderful… i watched it yesterday! i was really touched by that scene where Hrithik gets an epiphany and joins the Sufi dancers in trance and that wonderful song about azeem of shan …just brilliant. jodha akbar made me feel nostalgically in love…with that some1 close 2 my heart! aish has done a very good job..of all the good looking girls in d industry ash is so mature when it comes to acting it out! she does it so well! hrithik and ash chemistry is just electrifying! …Ashutosh Gowariker should be given full support and credit for how he showed mughals and rajput… he never ever offended any 1…and when u see the movie u would understand it….the controversy u get to see in rajasthan is untimely! creative freedom is needed sometimes …and somethings are better left to imagination than past! hi5 for the movie!

  • lorna and all other postive reiews ………thanks so much for u r time! hav a great time and a wonderful life! and as for those who always come and say …this and that…. u would just know how …unromantic they are…
    u know that they only treat woman as an object than a human being! for them its just plain sex…no feelings …nothing! !!! well imagine what a life they are having being lesser mortals!

  • Yes I do agree with above comments. As of today, I think Hrithik is the one who can give a message to the world about his talent and indian cinema. Initially I used see some khans movies but they are really bored they do the routine. But Hrithik challenges different roles. For example in krish like a super man. In Dhoom 2 excellent robber and finally in JA like a king. He justifies all the roles.

  • i had a lot of apprehensions about this movie but i had to see this movie as hritik is my favourite actor. now i am totally assured that this movie is gonna rock the industry with its awesome scenes and direction.
    i think hritik is the most talented and honest actor in the industry …….which he has proved many times. i wish him very best for this movie..

  • yaa hrithik is the best… i cant imagine any1 else doing it with this perfection! he did akbar perfectly!… he should really really do a hollywood movie now…time is right for him! hes good to be in the top!

  • ya amit….man…,nice 2 know that u enjoyed it ! great! ……. man… ag should be appreciated …u knw…he comes with different stories….it takes balls to do different themes…! man …..but neve eva say bad about things and hate things…there are good things and then there are great things! enjoy d life!

  • People Just no word about this movie..! Hrithik is a “GOD” in cinemas.. He as made it again.. He proved he can do anything.. no one can beat him… ash is simply superb as usuall..! i do must say to everyone just go watch it o else u will miss “Something” …!!

  • Hey.. to make a period film takes a lot of guts and is a challenge. It should be precise, accurate and should have a healthy environment. Ashutosh has tried his best to capture the History and recreate the Era.. I appreciate it. But To be really frank Hritik Is a NO NO for this film.. He doesn’t suit the Role of JALALUDDIN MOHAMMED AKBAR. acting skills = poor. Dialogue delivery, voice and pronunciation these have played a major role in setting aback his performance. Aish suits the role. She has worn brown contact lenses for the role, which shows that Indian film-makers are now thinking of certain details that need to be thought about. Ashutosh Gowariker is not an action director, so the battle scenes and even the action sequences lack panache. The cinematography by Kiran Deohans is fabulous. AR Rahman is as fine as ever.

  • I watched the premere of Jodha Akbar on the 14th of Feb…and i must say that it was something that has never hit the theaters in India ever before…i thought every thing in the film was just spell-bounding. as far as the performences are concerned i must say that whenecer Hrithik was on i thought that i was looking at Jalal-u-din Mohammad Akbar and it was the same with Aishwarya Rai. i was there with a friend who is really fond of all the masal commercial films and gets bored of serious or realistic kinda films but surprisingly he also found the movies to be amazing and has already watched it twice…well i have a question for the people who think that hrithik was a no no for this film Q. Could you recommend another actor in bollywood who could have played this charecter other than Hrithik Roshan?…personally I thought that he was even better than what Brat Pitt was in Troy…i think all the sequences were awesome…the romantic sequences were just undescribable and i could feel my heart rate go up specially in the song In Lamhon Ke Daman Mein…i would give this film a big thumbs up and whould strongly recommend it to everyone who has the capability to watch substatial films! go and experience the magic youself!!!!

  • Greatest movie ever seen on the big screen!!The performances are nothing short of fantastic .Hrithik Roshan becomes Akbar and not once do you feel you are watching Hrithik on the screen. He is beyond brilliant and carries the film on his broad shoulders throughout. The way he emotes and delivers his dialogues shows that he is a super performer. This easily has to rank as the best performance of his career.

    Aishwarya Rai Bachchan matches Hrithik and delivers a wonderful performance as well. Although she does not have as many lines to deliver or have as much screen time, she still makes you sit up and take notice of her through her extremely expressive eyes. She emotes superbly with them and it only enhances her performance. This will go down as one of her career best performances. Also, the Hrithik and Aishwarya chemistry is as flawless as ever. They sizzle every scene they are in together.

    My advice to the audience is to not miss Jodhaa Akbar because doing so would be a huge mistake. It is a masterpiece and a definite must see. Don’t miss it!

  • to kapil sreedhar, thank you, you too! i really hope this movie gets good reviews, credit should be given where it is due. i agree hrithik roshan seriously needs to do hollywood movies, they need him! what a fantastic actor, there were times when i could almost feel exactly what akbar was feeling because of how hrithik used his eyes. just phenomenal. i also think that ash portrayed jodha bai beautifully one of her best performances, this film should get all the awards on offer!!:)

  • Waste of time

    In Chennai-3/4th of audience went home at the interval…max of 10 people where THERE

    BUT I
    SALUTE

    Cast: Hrithik Roshan, Aishwarya Rai, Sonu Sood, Punam S. Sinha, Raza Murad, Kulbhushan Kharbanda, Suhasini Mulay, Ila Arun, Rajesh Vivek, Pramod Moutho, Surendra Pal, Visswa Badola, Pramatesh Mehta, Shaji Choudhary, Manava Naik, Disha Vakani, Abeer Abrar, Indrajit Sarkar, Aman Dhaliwal, Nikitin Dheer;

    Director: Ashutosh Gowariker;
    Music: A. R. Rahman WAS AT HIS BEST

  • Greatest movie ever seen on the big screen!!The performances are nothing short of fantastic .Hrithik Roshan becomes Akbar and not once do you feel you are watching Hrithik on the screen. He is beyond brilliant and carries the film on his broad shoulders throughout. The way he emotes and delivers his dialogues shows that he is a super performer. This easily has to rank as the best performance of his career.

    Aishwarya Rai Bachchan matches Hrithik and delivers a wonderful performance as well. Although she does not have as many lines to deliver or have as much screen time, she still makes you sit up and take notice of her through her extremely expressive eyes. She emotes superbly with them and it only enhances her performance. This will go down as one of her career best performances. Also, the Hrithik and Aishwarya chemistry is as flawless as ever. They sizzle every scene they are in together.

    My advice to the audience is to not miss Jodhaa Akbar because doing so would be a huge mistake. It is a masterpiece and a definite must see. Don’t miss it!

  • Yes! Really a must watch movie. This is a complete family entertainer and u can watch this along with ur family. So guys! hurry up.

  • ITS FABULOUS!!!

    Hrithik was MINDBLOWING!!!!HRITHIK and ASH are at their best!!Their pair is too good!!!
    Just their presence sets the screen on fire!!!
    No other pair looks as beautiful on screen in Bollywood.
    I mean there is no one more handsome than Hrithik nor as beautiful as Ash , so together they look so beautiful.

    As for the film it is just a must watch!!!And it should not be compared to any other film ever made in this genre(read: Mughal-e-Azam).

    My favourite moments are well too many but to name a few:

    1. Wedding night scene.

    2. Elephant fight.

    3. When she watches his bare torso…………………ooooooooooo……..wwwwwwwoooooooooooooowwwwwwwwwwwwwwww!!!!*Sigh*.

    4.Sword fighting between Ash and Hrithik.She was angry and he was teasing her.

    5. The scene where Hrithik has to find Ash amongst all the girls with the Ghoonghat Tongue.

    6. When he asks for the plate in which she had eaten to be served to him.

    7. The jashn-e-bahara and In lamho ke daman mein songs.

    8. When he steals glances at her.

    9. When they see each other for the first time.

    10. The azeem-o-shaan shahenshah song and when Ash comes back during it.

    11. When she refuses to go back to Agra.

    12. The climax fight.

    And as for Hrithik and Ash …they are a made for each other pair onscreen!!!!

    They are a just amazing and you get hooked into the movie from when they come on screen!!!The most beautiful man-woman pairing in Bollywood!!!

    Its a masterpiece and greatest film ever made.

  • Good one , excellant direction, Akbar Fantastic- Jodha looks extremely cute. Azeemoshaan has to be the peak of the movie. a bit lenghty. sometimes first half starts to drag a bit . fight scenes are top class.

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