एक था राजा, एक थी रानी, ३ घंटे हो गये, खत्म नही हुई कहानी??
This is not me, but the public opinion. I generally spoke to the theatre manager of the CityPride Multiplex, and he said, “How do you expect a movie made on King Akbar’s life to wrap up in a short span? Do you even know Mughal-e-azam too had a length of around 4 hours!? People are crazy…”
I somehow agree with him. To recreate history it does take a while to express that antiquity. But the question is, don’t we see this blurry line between facts and fiction here, Mr. Gowarikar?
Not to blame the chronology, as we read in our history textbooks (and forget about them), what about these unexpected kicks every half an hour, which only Akbar’s decedents could foretell today?
The film was a treat for the eyes, the grandeur made me move with the Mughal Emperor. As expected, a crore per scene assumed, the art direction ruled out all others ever. They haven’t even shown a trace of frugality. Feels as if they went back in time and shot at the real Fatehpur Sikri.
Indeed, Ashutosh Gowarikar couldn’t captivate audiences to the level of Lagaan. He’s known for his punch, but this time people laughed on some scenes and flashed their intellectual triumph with a few words of predomination, “What the…!”
The costumes are mind-boggling. It seems, in those times people used to wear jewelery instead of clothing. Although exceptionally beautiful, very engrossing and an envy to our generation.
Hritik Roshan as King Jalaluddin Muhammad Akbar did his bit. The shiny muscles and sharp swords made him fit for the role. He much resembled the King who cares for his kingdom, always goes out of the way for their development.
Mrs. Bachchan is glorious as ever, enchanting and lovely. She did her job very well playing Jodhabai, the brave Mallika-a-Hindustan. Her martial arts skill could’ve been better, nevermind. But she owned the role, nobody else could’ve gotten closer.
The music is very soothing, but good for an audio CD. I’m sorry, but I thought the songs could never adjust any place in those four odd hours. Even the picturization and sequences could have been much better, considering the Director’s portfolio.
My verdict would be, Jodhaa and Akbar are worth spending your weekend with. You must watch the movie like a museum trip, which can’t always have ‘everything’ at it’s best.
Don’t think in an objective manner, remember your history textbook? I sucked at history in school, so I liked the movie and didn’t find it long at-all!
I know diplomatic reviews like these are the paradox of film appreciation. So I leave it to you! 
One thing’s sure we can book the tickets for you…
Some of the reviews of Johdaa Akbar across the internet:
| … JODHAA AKBAR has its moments, but its wayyy too long. It’s not the 3 and half hour length, it’s just that it is a 3 and half minutes ka plot pulled into 3 and a half hours. A good deal of the film is spent with Akbar and Jodhaa figuring what’s a good time to, umm, ‘do it’…. Som [ Naachgana ] |
 |
| … All in all, it’s an okay film. There is a very nice love story somewhere under all the blockbustery bluster, and its characters work brilliantly together. The rest of the film is naive and simplistic, but Gowariker’s enough… Raja Sen [ Rediff ] |
 |
| … 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…. Taran Adarsh [ IndiaFM ] |
 |
| … Mr. Gowariker, how about leaving the melodrama, the “almighty solving all problems without any input from humans” syndrome to the Barjatyas? How about letting Ekta Kapoor reign the “salt-pepper” kitchen politics? So, we can block that out of our systems just by name… Meetu [ withoutgivingthemovieaway ] |
 |
| … Jodhaa Akbar leaves you spellbound, enthralled, entranced and awestruck. Ashutosh Gowariker makes the legendary characters come alive on screen. The movie is a bit long… three and a half hours, well very long compared to those Holywood ones you see … Niki [ Right Bollywood ] |
 |
| … Director Ashutosh Gowariker’s direction is flawless, every single sequence has been executed brilliantly. The effort that has gone into the making of this epic love story is evident on the screen – etched on every frame of the movie. It’s simply incredible. … Indiacine Team [ Indiacine ] |
 |
Loading ...
7 responses so far ↓
1 Jodhaa Akbar - Review » without giving the movie away… // Feb 17, 2008 at 7:31 pm
[…] Intermission, The Bookeazy Blog Rating: So-So …You must watch the movie like a museum trip, which can’t always have ‘everything’ at it’s best…. See full review […]
2 Ashok // Feb 18, 2008 at 4:21 am
Could you add this review to the list too?
http://www.indicine.com/movies/bollywood/jodha-akbar-review/
btw nice review
Thanks
3 badal // Feb 18, 2008 at 8:44 am
I’ve added the review Ashok, and I’m glad you liked this one.. Cheers…
4 Kasturi // Mar 1, 2008 at 11:12 am
I really liked the movie, please do not compare the movie for godsake, watch the movie as a love story.
5 karen_steves // Mar 2, 2008 at 3:12 pm
here is what i have to say about the movie…
its one of the most appealing and memorable artistic movies ever made..
watch it without any prejudice about the cast or thousands of questions
about history…just watch it with involvement you “cannot” miss the
beautiful soul rendering moments… you never feel that you watching any actor trying to perform…you are with akbar and jodha till the end….what performances by hrithk and ashiwrya…i never actually liked them before….but hats off to them after watching this…emotions and soul
level music are the main things that bind you to watch it till the end with out getting bored.…….a visual treat… after watching the movie at least for a
day or two u will still be wanting to stay with the characters of that
era…….not so easy to forget.
i feel that matured audience who are not biased and who cherish
experiences of life as they come and are open to different ideas and
respect freedom of expression will be spell bound by this movie…
i am planning to go watch it again in a theatre.. i never felt this way for any other hindi movie before.
it feels good that such movies are being made ..it also leaves a moral behind …india will continue to grow only when there is tolarance and a liberal mentality. i advice those who protest ..not to be brain washed by some rigid mind concepts….watch it with an open mind….then u can actually enjoy ..instead of being bitter be peaceful and broadminded.
6 Ceeli // Mar 14, 2008 at 5:50 am
It is easy to criticise. Just appreciayte the hard work done by the entire cast and team.
7 Ceeli // Mar 14, 2008 at 5:55 am
It is easy to criticise. Just appreciate the cast and crew.