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
Wonderful…even though I missed da first 15 min I really enjoyed watching HRITHICK..OMG he is fabulous……. Especially da sword fighting scene………too gud….aish was also gud ……
As I said… 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.
hrithik roshan was perfect as akbar, he completely suited the role, ash was also brilliant
One of the best movies that I’ve seen in a long time. Hrithik is excellent. I don’t have words to describe his scenes of love and longing and teasing. He has done a SUPERB job and he’s provided us all a masterpiece. Go watch it for Hrithik and Ashutosh and Rahman. There is nothing to lose and everything to gain here. WONDERFUL !! WONDERFUL !
This such a great cinematic experience. I don’t know why critics in India are so uptight about it. I mean what are they thinking. This movie is total opulence and perfection. In my opinion it is better than Troy. I even forgot the time period I was in after watching the movie. I agree with Lorna greenwood, this movie should get more credit than it deserves expecially in India, dammit.
Well I agree with ” Pro ” .. a period film has to have all those things which makes it an unforgettable experience. Troy can’t be compared to this at all in anyway.. It is way more excellent than Jodha Akbar. And people please stop comparing Hollywood to Boolywood cuz its not fair enough. Dialogue delivery was hilarious.. Hrithik should have atleast done some home work before attemting to play such a character. People feel this film is amazing just cuz there were no big realeases in recent times. A film is judged by monitoring all the major aspects and accordimg to how it is made. Fan following doesn’t help much. Facts can’t be ignored my friends. Everyone has their own view..
if there were 10 other big releases in recent times i would still feel the same way about Jodha Akbar, i judge a movie for what it is, not compare it with others.
and i also agree with amit, i dont know why critics are so uptight about the movie, its on the line of perfection!:) i am so glad that more and more people are recognising Jodhaa Akbar for the fantastic movie it really is!
Guys!!…let me take a breath before i reveal sumthin to u…phew!!
Ok here we go….its for 2008
1.Best Actor-HRITHIK ROSHAN
There is absolutely no doubt abt tht….this is one of his best so far….awesome…
Its time the tht we so realize tht we hav a star of INTERNATIONAL standards…JODHA AKBAR puts him in
class of actors like BRAD PITT, MATT DAMON
HRITHIK IS THE EMPEROR OF BOLLYWOOD
2.Best Actress-AISHWARYA RAI BACHHAN
She glitters in the TANISHQ jwellery like the heaven’s angel…wat her mouth cant say..the eyes say it all
We love AISH for her simplicity….the essence she puts in romance….and her acting skills too…
AISHWARYA IS THE PRINCESS OF THE TINSEL TOWN
3.Best Music-A.R.REHMAN
The music of the movie is its soul…background score is worth praise….JASHN-E-BAHARA and
JALALUDDIN AKBAR are worth listening beats are amazing….u cant expect anything more from epic
of this era
HE IS ONE OF THE NINE GEMS OF AKBARS COURT
4.Best Cinematography- KIRAN DEOHANS
jst one word “MAGNUM OPUS”
There are some other performances too which deserve true accolade like
Nikitin Dheer…… Sharifuddin Hussain
Ila Arun…… Maham Anga
Sonu Sood…… Rajkumar Sujamal
Tejpal Singh Rawat…… Ni’Mat
At last i just want to say to all the people who read this just dont miss JODHA AKBAR
just go for it as it says for itself “JA”….meaning “TO GO”…
So jst get ur tickets booked now
i give it 4/5
My reply to snap:
Let me ask you dear: If you stand opposite the camera and try to act like Heritik Roshan, will you be able to do 10% of his work and act the same way he does?! Don’t answer me but answer yourself!
plz guys! Aap log ye news paper tv news walon ki baaton me mat aana kyunki kuch jagah par JA ko acha nahi kaha gaya hai.so plz aap inki bato me n aakar JODHA AKBAR jarur dekhen.aur ye jo sab log 3.30 ghante 3.30 ghante chilla rahe hain, main dava karta hun k aap movie shuru hote hi usme kho jayenge aur apko pata bhi nahi chalega k kab 3.30 ghante ho gaye.?Must watch movie.jallaluddin Akbar jindabad.?Movie gets 40 crores till its first week.3 cheers for hrithik and ashu.
Dam gud movie…!!!…..luv 2 waych it again…Hrithik Rockzz..!!!
This is maybe my 4th comment on Jodha Akbar, I went to cinema see it again, for 2nd time, it’s great, people must appreciate this big work ’cause when you praise a good work, as if you motivate and encourage the director to give his best in future, but when you’re not so right in your reviews and just want to critiscise a good movie badly, you just frustrate the director.
And, before watching this movie, I heard in NDTV channel that people did (HANGAMA) for non important issue e.g. Jodha was from Judpure and not Jaipure! and accused the director that he wanted to change in the history!
Whether she was from Jutpure, Jaipure or Udaipur, so what?! She was from Raajistan, from which part of Raajistan she was isn’t an important issue! the audience want to enjoy the movie and don’t care about these small details in the history.
People make a fuss out of minor things.!
Fathiya I realy appreciate your comment. If I were a Film star do you really think I would have invested my time to sit and comment on my colleague’s movie.. No right.. I don’t mind saying that I don’t know how to act not even 10% of what Hrithik has done and that’s the reason I am here but that doesn’t mean one shouldn’t criticize someone’s work.. I have only told you the facts. According to the trade, the feedback from the audience has not been positive and no other big film has been slated for release during the next two weeks so you guys can hope it works. Again its my view .. Hrithik’s Dialogue delivery was hilarious. Fathiya I have said Hrithik’s not yours so do not choke :-) . Peace
Dear snap, I saw the movie for second time last night and enjoyed it. I found Hritik is the most actor who was fit for this role, as Hritik Roshan is handsome, he’s like a prince, so just imagine that this rolls was given to Salman Khan or Amir Khan or Shahrukh, do you think, and just imagine, do you think that the director would have been right to select one of them for a King’s roll??
I don’t think so, Hritik was perfect for this roll, this is my opinion, and he did an amazing work with Ashiwariya.
Fathiya you feel he is suitable for the role only cuz the movie is already made and is your mind set after watching it. If they would have searched for a better actor before castign Hirthik I am sure someone would have fit the role. Just like SRK in Chak De India – He was very suitable for the role.. But If not SRK someone else would have also done the role.. but once the film is released its hard for others to imagine a different actor for that particular role. Only being handsome or dancing well is not considered acting..Hrithik lacks that maturity and for godsake what in hell was the director thinking when hiding his Extra thumb in the whole movie. I mean the whole india knows about that and its of no use hiding it all the time. Like … while holding the sword or pointing towards something etc. I am not making fun of him but just wondering what was the need for that.. ?
Snap, I think you’re concentrating on minor issues!! Everyone knows that Heritik’s thumb is deformed or shapeless, no one is perfect dear, are we??
And in Koye Mel Gaya, the director did show his thumb to everyone, and this meant that Heritik won’t loose his fans if one part of his body is shapeless. Do you know if all other actors are perfect in their look?? Have you ever seen them (naked)?! Please, think properly, and it’s not nice to show the audience everytime that this star lacks some beauty in his body!!
I think you don’t like him, and when we don’t like someone we always want to show his weakness to everyone!
He’s a perfect actor, excellent, yah, in the past, I didn’t like his dancing in some movies, and when he was a new comer, but he learned now, he danced well in Dhoom 2, do you think Shahruk, Amir, or Salman could dance the way he did in Dhoom2??
Everyone got his strength and charm in a different way, Shahruk’s strength is that he’s very attractive, and I’m a big..big fan of his, but I also like Herithik, I wish them all the best in their career.
Fathiya.. You are taking it a bit too personal. I didn’t say anyone is perfect. I am neither comparing any actor here nor degrading Hrithik.. And if you think showing a deformed thumb makes him lack his beauty then i should remind you this is not a beauty peagent contest.. And I don’t agree with you that I don’t like Hrithik.. I don’t have any personal grudge on him. I go for the actor’s performance. I am not comparing his acting skills with his thumb. All I said was there was no need to fake anything. I blamed the DIRECTOR for it in my previous post not HRITHIK. You are just comparing his dancing skills with other actors.. Lets take Amir you think Hrithik can be as natural and emotional on screen as Amir ? No right.. the same applies for Dance. I don’t want to comment on his dance cuz there is nothing wrong in it. Again I don’t entertain comparision between actors.
A good movie indeed.But Ashutosh could have done far better if he`d have kept himself close to the facts and couldnot have tried to imagine too much in order to copy the mere scenes of hollywood pictures.Lagan and swadesh were far ahead of it because of their natural instincts.No two opinion Hritik & Aish have done a good job,Ashutosh himself with rahman has been lagging in trying too much.
Ok Snap, let’s cut it out, we’ve had enough discussion on this subject, as I said in my earlier comment( and as you confirmed it) that everyone has got his own strength and in a different way, Herithik in his great look and amazing dancing as well as acting, Aamir in his acting and emotional scens, Shahruk’s charisma and his sence of humour and the great Amitab Pachan who is the best actor in Bollywood and no one would compete him in sad and emontional scenes. Who can act like Amitab Pachan?? No one, even Aamir, he’s good but I didn’t like his acting in the last quarter of his movie “Range De Basanti”
Snap, if you didn’t watch Amitab’s movie “Sharabi” get it and watch his acting when the old guy “omprakash” dies and Amitab cries for losing him, no one performs like Amitab does.
Haha.. Fathiya.. Now I am seriously wondering Where Did Amitabh Bachan come in between all this… You seem to be far away from the Subject.. Or I should say distracted. I gave Amir’s example just to let you know dancing is not all that requires to be a good actor. Again I DO NOT ENTERTAIN COMPARISION BETWEEN ACTORS… cuz its not fair for the new actors. And I stand to what I’v told you. Hrithik is not suitable for this role and atleast he should have done some Homework before performing this role. I am a theater Critic.. I watch Live actors perform and comment. At the same time I Love commercial Films… As far as performances are concerned I am just posting my pont of view.
Snap, I don’t think that Hrithik did any dancing scenes in the movie except on his wedding day, in the song (Kyawaja) you found that hilarious?! That was – and I think I’m not sure – a twirling soofi dance, so he joined the team and danced with them the same way – it’s a Turkish dancing”
Snap.. Snap.. please let’s cut it. we’ve had enought discussion on this issue. I find Herithik is the best one who fitted in this role, and if I was the director of the movie and wanted to assign a newcomer, probably I would have selected Neil Mukesh for this role, he’s a good looking guy for a King’s roll and he performs well. That’s my opinion Snap, but yours is different.
Remember one thing, people’s opinion and characters are different, just like colours, I love white, other people love red, green, blue, etc. e.g. if you love red, you can’t convince me that red colour is very beautiful ’cause I don’t like it and vice versa. So let’s stop this discussion.
SNap, Shut up…
I am a theater Critic??? is that so snap …i guess most critics only know to be a critic only…if u are so dissatisfied with what jodha akbar is….why not come and make a movie of jodha akbar with all ur suggested fine actors and lets see how it comes out??? any 1..can comment anything saying that actor or actress isnt or like that! ….bottomline is dont! either show another version with a remake and communicate what u had to say…or move ahead with ur life and do something useful first for urself or first try this…criticize urself!
Guys take it easy.. Especially Fathiya… As i Told you.. You are distracted.. First understand what exactly the topic is. I have not even mentioned anything about the dance sequences in JA neither in this post nor in my previous one’s. I didn’t comment on his dancing skills. I’v told earlier also he is gud at dance so there is nothing to comment on that.. What ever you say and or Wish the fact will be that he wasn’t suitable. As far as convincing you is concerned I didn’t even give it a try and when I say ” ITS MY POINT OF VIEW” I guess you are smart enough to know what it means. I am not stopping anyone from watching this movie, if that were the case I wouldn’t have watched it myself in the first place. And this is to My Friend kapil sreedhar. Its good that you liked the movie.. watch it few more times and yes please post sensible comments not some crap.
you dont see thing sensible as ur just here to show ur some intelligent guy …with ur opinions !!! life isnt just about ur own opinions snap! may be when ur old u will understand it! when people say and challenge you u run of …with ur smart comments saying what not!!! well just wanna say that its atleast a spinoff from normal bollywood movies with masala….try 2 appreciate that than brooding over what ashu did with movie!!! hav a great time snap!!!
Guys, please forget the subject, if you love discussion, let me know your opinion on some other comments which I’ve written on some other movies in this site, e.g. Jab We Met, Aja Nachle, Welcome, etc.
what a start of the year with another pathetic movie from bollywood. could have been better without Aishwarya ( I don’t even consider Aysh as an actress). Amir khan or salman khan could have done way better then Hrithik. and yes the ranking, 1/5 and 1 is just for direction. FLOP movie !!!
Most important point, Jodha’s story has no relevance in history. Jodha never played any important role in history. she was just another wife of Akbar.
i dont know what film you watched but its cant have been jodhaa akbar, hrithik was phenomenal ash was brilliant the movie is a huge success!
lorna its a waste of ur time to keep commenting to people who simply doesnt know anything about deep passion …committment and romance! they are here for 2hours of masala bollywood movies and some boob press in the dark in theater!!! any 1 who loves everything in life and is analytical would surely understand that its a hard work by every1 in the team to bring out such a lovely story! i am stopping my comments this very moment! no more of ma time…i am completely satisfied with the outcome of the movie and i told to all my friends to go see it and every1 loved it…and thats tat! all of u wonderful ppl……….hav a great time and enjoy diis wonderful life! c u …byssssss
damnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn good movie …. a must c