One more review from merinews: nice one, posted today! http://www.merinews.com/catFull.jsp?articleID=130274
Jodhaa Akbar: A beautiful historical drama Asheesh Kumar Shukla, 18 February 2008, Monday <http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=12&winname=addthis&pub=greenpeace&s=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.merinews.com%2FcatFull.jsp%3FarticleID%3D130274&title=Jodhaa%20Akbar%3A%20A%20beautiful%20historical%20drama> Views:: 210 Comments: 1 <http://www.merinews.com/catFull.jsp?articleID=130276> <http://www.merinews.com/catFull.jsp?articleID=130281> Whatever the history is, the present lies in form of one of the most beautiful historical movies in recent years. Ashutosh, amid controversies, brought forward a masterpiece, which is purely Indian. THE LONG awaited 40 crore venture of Ashutosh Gowariker Productions Pvt Ltd (AGPPL) and UTV Motion Pictures Plc is finally out to colour the viewers amid controversies. Although the beginning makes it very clear that Akbar's Hindu wife was called by many names like Harka Bai etc. But he successfully brings out the Indian colours, which blend two cultures in form of a unique love story. Although the Karni Sabha in Rajasthan is against it and Kshatriya Mahasabha has warned to intensify its agitation yet the viewers are flocking towards it. "*Hum Hindustan ko galat haatho mein nahi jaane denge*" (we won't let India fall into the wrong hands) was the dialogue uniting all the consequences of the much awaited historical drama. However, the editing is a bit loose, as Ashutosh (Ashu) was suffering because of his back problem. The pace of the film would have been as spell binding as Lagaan, if his health would have been fine. *The Sufi flavour by music maestro AR Rehman had done justice to the story but still needs to rule the hearts and souls with the music. An Emperor dancing on the tune of "Khwaja Mere Khwaja" is the scene worth watching. "Jashne Bahara" is another slow yet heart touching song, which may rule only once people watch the movie. * * * *The background scores, along with the scenes, make you feel the power of Rehman, and his music. *The dialogues, which have stolen the show, were written by KP Saxena and are the USP of the movie. He is a sheer wordsmith whose efficient command on Urdu has left a long-lasting impact on his viewers. The dialogues have been presented in a compact and unique style, which had not been witnessed for long. The movie is a masterpiece, if you understand the initial political twists. Little Jellaluddin was made the emperor at an early age after death of Humayun, where Bairam Khan ruled Hindustan under his name. A grown up Jellaluddin hears his conscience for the first time when he wins the battle of Panipat and spares the life of Rajputs against him. He preferred a peaceful coexistence with Rajputs, which was disapproved by Bairam Khan that made Jellaluddin retire Khan from his affairs. On the other hand princess Jodhaa, an already engaged princess, learnt the art of fighting from her brother Sujamal, who was to be crowned as the heir of Barmal. But due to some misconceptions, he was not awarded with this opportunity. Sujamal felt cheated and conspires with Sharefuddin, Jellaluddin's brother-in-law for Barmal, as he extends his support against Jellaluddin who wanted to dethrone him. Taking a note of the tensed situation, king of Barmal, takes the refuge of the Mughal emperor. Annoyed Rajputs threaten that they would never marry daughters of their states with any of their citizens and vice versa. This results in breaking off Jodhaa's engagement with the prince. Barmal's king pleads Akbar to marry Jodhaa as a political step towards the welfare of the common masses of his land, which he accepts after consideration. But Jodhaa has her own set of rules, which she frankly puts before the emperor of Hindustan. As Jellaluddin accepts the conditions of safeguarding her religion and promises Jodhaa a temple, the marriage between two cultures and religions take place. Jellaluddin not only wins the faith of Jodhaa but also gives her the place of Mallika-e-Hindustan. In the meanwhile, the internal politics in Agra fort intensify the ego clash between Jodhaa and his most respected motherly maid Maha Manga. The display of Rajasthani culture in form of Chappan Bhog and tasty dishes along with politics are some of the best moments of the movie. But Jodhaa becomes a victim of a plot laid by Jellaluddin's motherly maid. As truth rules over, Jellaluddin comes to know of the consequences that had taken place. He also leaves the cunning maid and accepts Jodhaa and goes to Barmal to get her back. The elephant fighting scene, the romantic fight between Jodhaa- Jellaluddin and the romantic illumination of mirror were some of the best scenes in this spell binding drama. Kiran Deohans has made a very impressing comeback after *Kabhie Khushi Kabhi Gam*. The cinematography of the song "*Azeem-o-Shaan Shahenshah*" deserves a special mention as Rahman and Kiran rock. Ashu engaged as many as four choreographers to bring out the dance sequences of the film, as he did not want to keep any stone unturned. "You can win states but you need a heart to rule them" were the words that inspire Jellaluddin to take the path of the social welfare. He not only evades Mehsoor charged from the Hindu pilgrims, but also makes himself accessible to the general citizens and risks his life. This makes him the most loved Mughal Emperor of all times. Religions can coexist only if they show tolerance and respect, so let Karni Sena understand it that it's just a movie, which is 70 per cent imagination. On Feb 15, 2008 5:11 AM, Gopal Srinivasan <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Jodhaa Akbar: A review > > > > > > Amit R Agarwal, > > 15 February 2008, Friday > > addthis_url = location.href; > addthis_title = document.title; > addthis_pub = 'greenpeace'; > > Views:: 35 Comments: 0 > > Mughal-E-Azam > is the most illustrious film on Mughals. Would Jodhaa-Akbar be able to > displace its memory? Not quite, the movie has a basic fault – the > absence of a strong antagonist. > > Rate this article: > > Rating 4.8 out of 5 votes cast > > > merinews Web <!-- > google_ad_client = "pub-9372192619832074"; > //300*250 > google_ad_slot = "4380496033"; > google_ad_width = 300; > google_ad_height = 250; > //--> > > Today's Best Stories > > > Mumbai: Who would be left behind after 'outsiders' leave? > > The pros and cons of early career selection > > Urdu poetry at a funeral > > Impending wheat crisis in the country > > > Most Popular Stories > > AP: A barbaric tradition continues > > Cold: A headache for scientists > > AP: Luxury cars mania in city of Nawabs > > YSR is Andhra's best CM > > > > > Be a Citizen Journalist > > Submit News / Articles > Rewards & Recognition > > C - Log: Citizens' Blog > > Merinews Photos > > Submit... Browse... > Mera mall > Bigger Than Big Sale by Rediff. Heavy > discount till 28 jan Olympus 7.1 Mp Digital Camera > at Rs.4995 Sabse Sasta Din by futurebazaar (25-26-27) jan. Save up to > 80% 42% discount on JVC video camera 34% discount on Oxford Dictionary > > MUGHAL-E-AZAM > is the most illustrious film on the Mughals. Would Jodhaa-Akbar > displace the memories of M-e-A? Not quite, because of one basic fault, > absence of a strong antagonist. For M-e-A's antagonist, Akbar, is the > protagonist here. > > Before > writing further, it is very important to know the history of Islam in > India, misconstrued as having been introduced by the Mughals. India or > rather Hindostaan, at one time, stretched from present day Afghanistan > to a little beyond present day Bangladesh. > > The > first Islamic invasion happened in 664 AD, when Al Muhallab ibn Abi > Suffrah attacked the borders of Afghanistan and penetrated till Multan. > However, it was not until 710 AD, when Muhammad bin Qasim captured > Gandhar and Sindh that Islam spread in India through conversions. > Various Hindu rulers ruled Delhi till Mohammed Ghori defeated > Prithviraj Chauhan in 1191AD, thus laying the formation of Delhi > sultanate. In 1526 AD, Babur (ousted from Samarkand, his capital – in > present day Uzbekistan) laid the foundation of Mughal Dynasty. > > The > film starts with 13-year-old Akbars' forces defeating Hemu's (last > Hindu King of Agra and Delhi) forces in the battle of Panipat in 1556. > Thereby Akbar's only ambition is to get Hindostaan under one unified > rule. However, his greatest opponents are not only the Rajputs, but > also his own relatives (brother-in-law Shariffuddin and bosom-brother > Adham Khan) > > As luck would > have it, he sees the opportunity to win the allegiance of the Rajputs, > when King Bharmal of Aamer offers him the hand of his daughter, > Princess Jodhaa Bai for marriage. However, post-marriage, Akbar finds > that he will have to win the love of Jodhaa Bai to consummate marriage. > > How, > he goes about winning her love forms the narrative. The entire focus of > the film is so far untold story of Jodhaa Bai and Akbar. Like any > historical, Jodhaa Akbar too has its share of controversy. Firstly, the > identity of Jodhaa Bai herself, who many historians say, never married > Akbar. > > Secondly, whether > the marriage proposal was offered by the King of Aamer or Akbar himself > (the film shows King of Aamer proposing it). However, other widely > believed historical attributes are maintained: > > The > almost-annihilation of Akbar's army by mighty Hemu, only the destiny > willed otherwise; Hemu gets hit in the eye and his army deserts him. > Thus paving way for Mughal rule Akbar stopping his trusted aide, Bairam > Khan, from beheading Hindu kings. Akbar's religious tolerance > However, > there is no mention of the ban on marriage for Mughal princesses, which > Akbar introduced, probably owing to the betrayal by his brother-in-law, > Shariffuddin, in order to reduce the contenders to the Mughal throne > for future generations. The mention was justified since Shariffuddin is > the antagonist in the movie. > > The > film is visually opulent. The jewellery design deserves special > mention. It sent the female audiences discussing the fine work. The > camera-work by Kiran Deohans is good. The war scenes are well executed. > > It > is very difficult to erase the memory of Prithviraj Kapoor as Akbar and > Durga Khote as Jodhaa Bai. However, Hrithik and Aishwarya have both > successfully managed to paint a fresh picture of Akbar and Jodhaa. > > The > cast is apt and Nikiten Dheer makes an impressive debut as > Shariffuddin. Shatrughan Sinha's wife Poonam has the charm and the > looks to pass off as Hameeda Banu, Akbar's mother. Ila Arun as Maham > Anga is good. Radio jockey Yuri who plays Bairam Khan impresses with > his act. > > One song deserves mention for itschoreography and picturisation, > "Azeem-o-shaan Shahenshah." The filmwill appeal to the classes and the > connoisseur of cinema. However thosebrought up on the recent flux of > comedies are bound to be disappointed. > > http://www.merinews.com/catFull.jsp?articleID=130244 > > >
