Jodhaa Akbar is a fairy tale

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Like all well-told fairy tales, Jodhaa Akbar takes you on an epic journey into the heart of a man and a woman. The historical setting just adds to the colours, the sights and the sounds. And for the fun the designers have had with the costumes.

To watch Jodhaa Akbar for historical accuracy is pointless. To watch it for any brilliant display of camera work or special effects is futile. Because chances are you may be hugely disappointed. Especially if you have seen other Hollywood historicals or epics on the screen. Rather, watch it for a simple tale of love.

(Also read Review1: Why you should sit through Gowariker’s dream project)

Akbar, is unlike his bloodthirsty and tyrannical predecessors, and believes in winning the hearts of people rather than conquer them by force. And what inspires him to transform himself, and in effect alter the destiny of the Mughal empire, is his own intent and one woman’s love.

To say this is Hrithik Roshan’s finest performance till date will be no exaggeration. If you have seen him in Yaadein, or for that matter Koi Mil Gaya or even Krrish, you will see how much he has matured. Scene after scene, frame after frame, Hrithik dominates.

If he is the steely emperor of Hindustan, leading his fearsome army one moment, he is the vulnerable lover, longing for the intimacy of his wife in the other.

Watch out also for the scene that seemed to be a gift to all Hrithik fans, in which he is taming a rogue elephant. And much later when he takes on his backstabbing brother-in-law, the climax of the film (well, there is no ‘battle’ to end the film on a high).

Juxtapose that with the sequence when he duels with his wife, all-playful, all-mischief, all-flirtatious. And you will have seen a range of emotions that very few actors will have displayed in a single film.
Almost.

Because our vote for the best scene would go for the Khwaja song. In this, Akbar is getting married to Jodhaa and a group of Sufi singers perform, as if in trance. As Rahman’s voice rises to a crescendo in the background (Khwaja Mere Khwaja on screen can give you goosebumps), there is a moment of epiphany for the emperor. He gets up, moves slowly towards the dancing dervishes, their white skirts twirling in the moonlight. The crowd watches in awe as the emperor joins them. His face a picture of beatitude, bliss, and his body, a picture of humility and submission to a force beyond this world.

The restraint and grace displayed by the actor is truly commendable. Especially since, it would have so easy to go overboard. In a film that is nearly four hours long, you can go home with some such gems. Aishwarya Rai, as the Rajput princess, looks every bit a fairy tale princess. She looks pretty and emotes well, though there are very few scenes with her actually. She does a rather good job of the action sequences, with the swordplay and at times the word play. She is never the wimpy weepy princess who is ‘offered’ as a peacemaker to a Mughal emperor. But rises in his esteem as a woman whose pride and honour are of utmost importance to her. She humbles her man, teaches him how to love and in the process falls head over heels in love with him. Now, if THAT is not romantic, what is?

Jodhaa Akbar belongs to Hrithik. Take for example the scene in which he is practicing swordplay, his taut muscles rippling, eyes afire. Watching from behind a sheer curtain is Jodhaa, who had till then resisted his advances. The sheer magnetism of the man is enough to add colour to the Rajput princess blanched cheeks. You understand why she lets out a gasp.

Ash-Hrithik as a pair: Certainly one of the most good-looking screen pair we have had in recent times. And you know something? They seem to bring out the best in each other. Even when the two maintain a distance from each other, letting gauzy curtains fall in between, the chemistry is so palpable, you can cut through it.

Towards the end, when the marriage is actually consummated, comes a scene straight out of a fairy tale again with the sun casting its rays on a gilt-edged mirror and Jodhaa standing before it, all aglow. Jodhaa Akbar say those magic words to each other for the very first time and what follows is a love song. Shot aesthetically, the song captures the sensuousness of the moment beautifully, and leaves you wishing you could see more this couple on screen.

Supporting Cast: A word here for these supporting actors. If you have seen Sonu Sood in Aashiq Banaya Apne, you’d forgive him for the earlier travesty in the name of acting. That chap holds his own as the troubled, tragic cousin of Jodhaa, as does Nikitin Dheer, as the brother in law of Akbar. A word here also for Ila Arun, as the ‘dai’ of the emperor, whose possessiveness and scheming mind make her the kind of ‘saas’ Ekta Kapor would have died for. A huge let down is Poonam Sinha, Shatrughan Sinha’s wife, whose guest appearance as Akbar’s mother makes you wonder what made Ashutosh cast her in the role.

Verdict: A must watch, if you are a sucker for fairy tales and a Hrithik fan. And of course, if you can sit through (approximately) three hours 40 minutes.

Rating: 3/5