Q&A: Ashutosh Gowariker
Ashutosh Gowariker acted in Indian television and art house films and in the 1980s, and after a couple of unsuccessful directorial outings he took a leap of faith in 2001 with a film about a simple villager in 19th century British India who challenges the nasty colonials to a game of cricket. “Lagaan” (Land Tax) drew an Oscar nomination for best foreign film, and Gowariker followed up in 2004 with “Swades” (Homeland) about a NASA scientist returning to his Indian village. Now 44, Gowariker has proved it possible to get around the formulaic plots of mainstream Indian cinema. His latest historical epic “Jodhaa Akbar” kicked up a storm of opposition when it opened on Valentine’s Day. The tale of 16th century Mughal Emperor Akbar (Hrithik Roshan) and his Hindu Rajput wife Jodhaa (Aishwarya Rai) drew cries of protest about its historical accuracy and saw the ransacking of some of the cinemas screening the three-hour film. A few Indian states issued bans, lifted only after UTV Motion Pictures took its case to India’s Supreme Court. Under pressure from some ethnic Rajput, Rajasthan still refuses to show “Akbar.” The Hollywood Reporter’s Nyay Bhushan caught up with Gowariker about all the fuss — fuss that helped the $10 million picture boost ticket sales to more than $31 million worldwide.
The Hollywood Reporter: Were you expecting opposition?
Ashutosh Gowariker: I was not expecting this scale of opposition. But I knew there would be some reservations, as people may want to know on what facts I am basing my film. I decided to do research across Mughal and Rajput historic records and also met a section of Rajasthan royalty, with whom I shared the script to get their approval. When they saw the film, they were really proud to see how the Rajputs made a difference in the lives of the Mughals.
More at: Link
90M i.e a drop of around 40% is very much possible. 
Oh - Shahid was a walk on in JWM, I think I stated that a while ago. Any ...
My favorite role in Eklavya was Sanju's cameo, great fun. Saif seemed a bit flat, and didn't much care ...
Simply superb review Q. Have only listened to this one just once thus far. Liked it and I am sure ...
Comment by jayshah on 16 May 2008:
Always comes across as a nice fella and completely immersed in his work, good interview though he dodged a question in my book ‘How has “Jodhaa Akbar” changed Indian cinema?’ Didn’t answer it!
Comment by Myna on 16 May 2008:
Regarding that question Jay, I think he just meant that even in today’s times historicals work.
But looks like he himself is not sure if the success of JA will give rise to other historicals, may be mainly bcoz of the protests and bans and difficulty in making one. Thats why I think he didnt make any tall claims abt changing Indian cinema and all.
Comment by jayshah on 16 May 2008:
Hopefully it will open the door to more historicals. India has a rich history which can be explored in the film medium.
Comment by Achilles on 16 May 2008:
Ashutosh confirms again that Jodhaa Akbar’s budget was 10 M $ and Hollywood Reporter confirms the Worldwide Gross is 31 M USD …so much for the fictitious 50 crores budget insisted by the usual culprit.