Jodhaa Akbar Review
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Sundeep Mann
(UK)
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Jodhaa Akbar Review
It’s been a long time since I have walked out of the cinema hall with a feeling of equanimity and the asseveration of having just witnessed a film that will go down in history as a classic. The last time I was overcome by such a feeling was with Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s poetic Saawariya, a film that many people rejected for its folklore style.
Jodhaa Akbar rekindled my faith in why Hindi cinema is the greatest entertainer in the glimmering world of movie lights, for it could only be the Hindi film industry that could conceive such a monopolizing oeuvre.
Set in the 16th century, Jodha Akbar is a sumptuous saga of romance which blossoms under the schismatic setting of political astriction during the Mughal era.
Rajput King Bharmal of Amer (Khulbhushan Khabarnda) arranges a marriage of alliance between his daughter Jodhaa (Aishwarya Rai) and the Mughal Emperor Jalaudin Akbar (Hrithik Roshan) thus sewing the seed of tranquility between both communities.
However, Akbar is unaware that Jodha resents the consanguinity in which she has been used as seal against the polemics of politics, presenting him with a battle far greater than those he has enacted on the warfield…to conquer the love of his queen.
Armed with his heart as his weapon, Akbar’s language of love is as confident as each swing of his sword and by the time he has managed to encapsulate Jodhaa, the soil of the Mughal dynasty is marred yet again with the threat of annexation in which Akbar’s love for his kingdom becomes parallel to the love of his Jodhaa.
Asutosh Gowariker has to be congratulated for making a film with such conviction and executing his story on such a grand platform. Whilst the general consensus of many is that historical films dabble more in the complexities of the past through stolid like factual presentation, Gowariker is able to use his finesse of mixing drama with authenticity – the result being an exhilarating lesson in history which also carries a strong heart. The nail biting battle scenes have all been captured with sharp camera movements, transporting the viewer to the battlefield, the tense palaver between Ila Arun and Aishwarya demanded pin drop silence from everyone in the cinema hall…exemplary of the maestro director’s ability to capture the audience and throw them into a bygone era.
Hrithik Roshan as the Great Emperor Akbar is awe-inspiring. His performance is of dizzying heights, meticulously delivered without any room for criticism. Roshan epitomizes perfection, both physically and creatively resulting in the finest screen presence to be witnessed since Amitabh Bachchan. His Akbar is powerful and unflinching yet in a split second can transform to a smirking lover of loyalty towards his queen presenting a humane depiction of a figure who was obviously more than just a temerarious ruler. Roshan proves yet again just why he is the finest male lead to grace the screen since the millennium.
Aishwarya Rai is always at her best when she is regal and in Jodhaa Akbar she is dignity personified. The character of Jodhaa demanded a fiery yet graceful streak of personality and Rai achieves this balance with uttermost ease. The scene where she exchanges heated words with Akbar upon his accusation of her deceit is tremendous as she conveys vulnerability with angst, using her eyes to emote a thousand words. A character that does not demand huge amounts of dialogues but more so relies on the ability for Rai to emote with her expressions resulting in a play of wholehearted curtailment. Jodhaa Akbar is sure to go down as one of Rai’s finest examples of talent.
A R Rahman’s music may not be of chartbusting quality but it moulds itself into the story in such a way that without becoming officious to the narrative, it still acts as a conclusive transition, especially the Sufi style “Khwaja Mere Khwaja” which oozes a spiritualistic aroma of melody. “Azeem O Shah Shahensha” is robust in its presentation and only electrifies the magnitude of the character that Akbar was.
One can not speak about Jodhaa Akbar without mentioning the cinematography and costumes. There is a danger that when films are seeped in such grandeur, they shimmer more for their ability to satisfy the visual palette rather than offer satiating content but Jodhaa Akbar does not suffer from this ailment. The need for the ostentatious presentation is fully justified and equally rewarding to the eye, be it the intricate halls of the palace or the deliciously crafted jewels, all have their place and thankfully due to a taut screenplay, do not serve as mere ornaments by which viewers can pass their time admiring their beauty. Rather, one spends the duration of the film engulfed in the proceedings of the story which are only taken to a higher level with the alluring ambience of the Mughal era.
Period dramas carry with them the promise of acting as tools for society, where in today’s times many people are recalcitrant to pick up a book and read history; cinema offers them the opportunity of visually engaging with the quondam and interpreting facts in a more appealing manner. Jodhaa Akbar allows its audience all of this in a manner which is simplistic in relaying chronologic events yet also embarks on a simultaneous journey of love and acceptance, mixing the two to create an evocative experience.
History with a heart, Jodhaa Akbar ravages the screen with its royal fest of nobility and catalytic performances , crowning it’s viewers with cinematic glory.
Anurag Kashyap
Abhay Deol
Dibakar Banerjee
Hansal Mehta
Khalid Mohamed
Kundan Shah
Anish Kuruvilla
Jaideep Verma
Manish Gupta
Navdeep Singh
Bhavani Iyer
D. Santosh
Onir
Ashvin Kumar
Ramu Ramanathan
Sudhir Mishra
Pankaj Advani
Revathy
Saurabh Shukla
Shilpa Shukla
Sujoy Ghosh
Suparn Verma
Santosh Sivan
Shashank Ghosh
Shivajee
Pavan Kaul
Partho Sen-Gupta
Prroshant Naryannan
Sam Langoria
Satish Kasetty
Well I won’t see the film till tomm but I’m glad that Ashutosh has been vindicated despite the legions of disbelievers.
Making a great film is half the battle won. Now let’s see what the collections are. I hope they break some fucking records.
For viewers in the North American region the theater listings are available on fandango.com and mrmovietimes.com
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Since you found Saawariya a poetic classic, I would rather stay away from Jodha Akbar…..
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Thank god you mentioned your feelings for Saawariya, so I can take your review with a pinch of salt.
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Sundeep, have not read your review.
but i also liked Saawariya.
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Jodha Akbar is quite a good movie. I don’t think it qualifies as a classic, but it’s definitely worth your while. Think of Bhansali’s opulence presented in a subtler format. And its fair to write off a movie just because of the reviewer’s previous likes/dislikes.
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Nicely written mate, gives me good reason to go watch it, besides ofcourse AG. Thanks
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Jodha Akbar is quite a good movie. I don’t think it qualifies as a classic, but it’s definitely worth your while. Think of Bhansali’s opulence presented in a subtler format. And its not fair to write off a movie just because of the reviewer’s previous likes/dislikes.
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Its not a bad film but also not a great film too… This is no classic and all.
The biggest problem with the film-length. Its too long.
The second biggest problem is the story. Its so filmi and some times remind you of Beta and films like that. (A step mother, intelligent daughter in law, innocent husband types). Only occasionally this film looks a like a historic film.
But it has its merits too…
watch it …but dont expect too much
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Raja Sen on rediff writes…
“Aishwarya, pretty as ever, is not given much dialogue, a directing masterstroke.” LOL
And Mr. Mann.. its “Azeem o Shaan Shahenshah…”
And Rudro lol.. thats mean though..:o
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I wish Shahrukh watches this movie and learns how to play a historical characher. Hrithik is so believable and played the role to T, with great aplomb and maturity. SRK was evry bit of SRK in Asoka whereas lived the role so convincingly that you feel that he’s the real Akbar…very effortlessly he has wiped off the impact of great Prithvirj Kapoor. Never expected of him though. GR8 job HR. Take a bow Ashu
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if director is good hritihi can do wonders.
he is lambi race ka ghoda
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I loved the film. The love story really worked. The movie had a soul and how many times can you say that about films today.
I thought Aishwarya’s Jodhaa was the best. Very reminiscent of her Guru performance. Vulnerable yet strong. She felt real–there was a depth there which I found a bit lacking in Hrithik. But that may just be me since I find that in all his roles.
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i am really excited. going to watch it tonight:d:d:d
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[comment edited (st): Guru, chill with the name calling and stick to the subject.]
Glad you mentioned your views on “Sawariya.” Puts things in context. I just saw Jodha Akhbar. Masterpiece it is not!
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I stopped reading after the saawariya part
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the film has a feel good factor which remains with you for a long time after you have watched it. it does not overwhelm, it only leaves you feeling beautiful within.:x
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oz, how come you didn’t put your points across when all that Saawariya bashing was going on? Maybe you did, but I just can’r recollect.
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My review: http://cinemaparadiso.rediffiland.com/blogs/2008/02/15/Jodhaa-Akbar-The-Emperor-Arriveth.html
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loved this review. I love historicals. Loved Dhoom2 and Ash and hrithik in it. grt visual candy both. good to hear they did well under Ashutosh’s direction. Cant wait to see it. Loved Jahan’s review.
Will any hands rise to give Khalid Mohamed a good thrashing? That guy needs to evaporate right this instant.
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cant help feeling really happy about Ashutosh’s movies. Lagaan, Swades now Jodha…Man seems to bring out the best in most actors (excludes Amir of course….he just needs to give us more..movies).
cant forget that serial in which Ashutosh acted with Bhagyashree(yaad aaya – Kachii dhoop) on good old Doordarshan. They were so cute together. I had just read Little Women only a 100 something times and found them an unbeleivably romantic pair.
Hope he makes many many more good ones.
i guess he has that Amol Palekaresque quality in his Lagaan and Swades too.
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I might be in a minority, but I think even Pehla Nasha and Baazi were not as bad as they were made out to be. I felt Ashutosh the director did a fairly competent job even in those early films. I feel he can handle the action/thriller genre quite well. Even though Lagaan, Swades and Jodhaa Akbar belong to different genres, they somehow reflect Ashutosh’s desire to make films of epic proportions (maybe he’s burdened by the audience’s expectations after Lagaan). It would be good for him to take a break from this and make something dratically different next – maybe an action thriller. I’m sure he will do wonders with that as well.
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Jodha Akbar is a fantastic movie. I went with no expectations and found it really enjoyable. I agree with is review and am wondering now if I should watch saawariya
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Saawariya was a visual delight as in a painting, but as a movie was a bore…
J-A seems to be truly good if one ignores the length..
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Khalid Mohamed gave it 2 stars (Hindustan Times)GD Star Rating
Here’s the link:
“And the rest isn
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jodha akbar review by ajay brahmatmaj
http://chavannichap.blogspot.com/2008/02/blog-post_15.html
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Thanks for the link Neeraja. Boy!! Khalid Mohamed has really ripped the movie apart. I doubt if any Hindustan Times reader will want to watch the movie after reading that. But the movie is not as bad as he makes it out to be. He even has issues with the Khwaja Mere Khwaja song which, according to me is one of the highlights of the movie.
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i cant believe how shallow people are these days
how can u not like saawariya?
its the greatest movie ever… after Dil Se.. u just need a bit of heart and some brain to get it
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Guess KM had kacha karela in the morning!!!! so much kadvahat in the review!!!!
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i can relate to this guy sandeep mann.. his comments on saawariya have given me some hope for existence..
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KM loves Kajol and the Khans. I remember that he had given Pyar Kiya to Darna Kya 5 stars when he wrote for Times of India.
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@hira
sorry for the shallowness, but in case of saawaria, we do have a reference point for comparison. just check out a forgotten movie called ahista ahista starring abhay deol. that too is based on white nights. and t kicks saawaria’s arse with size 24 shoes.
not seen jodha akbar. but pretty excited about it. any movie by a director who gave us lagaan (and swades too) gets an automatic viewing for me.
but it is kind of strange. jodha akbar has got such an overwhelming fan response and the reviewers have not really warmed up to it. but none of the reviews gave good reasons as to why they did not like the movie. i guess they did not forget the historical liberty fact easily. no problem for me on that count. going to watch the movie tomorrow.
and did anyone read taran adarsh’s review?
quote: “Oh yes, the length does pinch you at one crucial point [second hour, which is relatively shorter]”
hahaha!! =))
this guy cracks me up just by being so characteristically incompetent. second ‘hour’ shorter! wonder how he managed to time the 2nd hour :-?
really want to ask him whether he knows 1kg of cotton is lighter or 1 kg of iron. would love to see him scratching his head on this one!
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I have mostly read great reviews for the movie.
Here is one for example. CNN-IBN.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8YQ_oEOoyVQ
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khalid’s review of JA reminds me of No Smoking’s review by him..maybe he has got issues to settle with AG too…..well i second AK’s suggestion ..he should retire…
And i agree with KJ that KM has nor given good reasons for not liking the film…..frankly speaking i dont even understand his reviews……humour ke naam pe hammer hai…..
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Khalid’s Jodhaa review takes low brow humour to dizzying new lows. I (gulp) quote- ‘She is coerced into a marriage with the Mughal but won
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Review: The first half of Ashutosh Gowarikar’s ‘Jodhaa Akbar’ is such a delight that we told ourselves -If we have to sit the whole damn day to watch such brilliant stuff we will gladly do it – What is three hours and twenty minutes. http://news.sawf.org/Bollywood/48167.aspx
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Where is AG of Lagaan and Swades? In these movies…Every scene had a reason…every dialog had consistency and purpose be it from main protagonist or one of the supporting actor…almost every character was carefully sketched and portrayed…all these are absent in JA and conspicuously so…
sample this…Scene between Aishwarya and Sonu Sood after her sword fight teaching session with him…u r a great student…no bhaisa u r an excellent teacher…dialogs sound so obligatory…and exactly why did Raja Bharmal asked a mogul king to marry his daughter? There were other hindu kings too who willingly joined Akbar but they didn’t ask him to marry their daughters…and why did he disowned Sonu Sood…there were many other things which were not justified may be due to time constraint…but explain this..:-?..Adham Khan(Akbar’s cousin brother) wants to stop Khan saaheb (Vazeer) from disclosing his tax chori etc to Akbar…and what does he do? walk into the Mahal…and kill Khan saheb in front of Todermal (the finance minister)…and walk out with open sword(blood dripping..)…ek dum bindhaas…every one is shouting that he killed khaan saaheb…and conveniently he passes by Akbar’s room so that Akbar can capture him and order him to be thrown down (mind you head first)…I don’t blame Akbar…I would be pissed too for such an idiotic plan…there are so many such scenes that after a while I really wanted to ask…is this movie really directed by AG?
Personally, I feel ARR’s music was a let down…picturization of the songs wasn’t great either…especially Khwaja song…where everyone looks so constipated…what is Baghaa(from Lagaan) doing in the song with a look a like…the attempt to capture whirling dervishes was so bad that I have no words to describe it…I have attended a live performance of whirling dervishes and the experience is so out of the world…it hurts to see it reduced to such a stupid choreography…
there are a few good things in the movie…costumes and sets are glorious…some of the scenes were good…like Akbar confessing that he couldn’t read…Ila Arun’s sheesha kitna bhi chamakta ho per pith pichhe to kala hi hota hai…
they aere too few for a 3 hr and 20 min long ordeal…
What was AG trying to make…a love story on Jodha and Akbar…or a historical on Akbar’s character …or a mix of love story and a historical where in…he will put Troy like one on one battle scene…Zoro like sword fight between a hero and heroin or is it Mr. and Mrs Smith less the swords…and also also throw in Saas bahu like drama…put every conceivable cliche in the movie….what was AG’s purpose…or was he just unhappy at the reception Swades got in India and decided to give the public what they want…I am not sure…but I am sure about one thing…this movie will be a hit…I have an excellent track record in last couple of years… the movies that I don’t like becomes huge hit…
another great story wasted…due to lack of good scripting and vision…I hope that AG will bounce back with his next movie…
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its wonderfull movie, the best movie ever by Hrithik to entertain, stunning performance by all, though its too long but it hold you every second, before realising i thought it would be little boarein because of periodic simple love story but it is not so, love scenes are very good, moreover, azeem-o-shann.. songs choreography is excellent, fight scenes, and hrithiks body showing sword practice scene makes u to watch again and again
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@Vikrant, per a few history books I’ve read the Adham Khan scene actually happened very much like the way it is depicted in the film…The incident happened “one sweltering mid-May afternoon in 1562″. The film has slightly changed it in that it was Adhan Khan’s crony whho stabbed the vazir. I quote from Abraham Eraly’s book- Emperor’s of the Peacock Throne: “Astonishingly, no one present, neither amir nor guard, drew his swrod aganist the felons. Nor did any one move to stop Adham Khan when he, sword in hand, climbed the steps from the hall to the other balcony that girded the harem” …later, I quote again, “Akbar ordered Adham Khan to be bound and throw down from the ahrem terrace. But that did not kill him…..so he was hauled up and flung down again, this time headlong”
So AG has done his bit of research. Obviously, history is open to interpretation, so Abraham Eraly’s version might not be exact but AG based his scene on an established source. However, he did change some elements of this incidents
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@ Aditya, thanks for the info. Wikipedia also has similar explanation where in Adham Khan kills Khan Saheb and walk to Akbar’s room…seems like he wanted to kill Akbar too…but in the movie just before this scene…Adham Khan and Akbar’s brother in law discuss that Khaan saheb needs to be disposed of carefully…I guess implying that Akbar mustn’t know abt it…
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Ashutosh Gowariker had directed the movie brillantly ..however I feel some of the scenes in the first half could be edited out.
Read here to know the best scenes of Jodhaa Akbar
http://bollywoodtrends.blogspot.com
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The movie has brilliance interspersed with some really ordinary scenes as vikrant pointed out, but some of the scenes are actual fact and it is difficult to find many other ways to present them. While the dervishes looked good in the movie, the experience of seeing a live performance is spiritually moving.
Oh, and the TOI review even questions the very existence of maham anga – wouldn’t even bother paying attention to it!
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For those going about the historical validity of the film and its validity.
Did they miss the two things AG put in the movie..
1)Jodhaa Bai had many names..but known as Jodhaa Bai across the history pages.Anybody take up there history text books..they will ratify it.
2)This is a work of fiction.Love stories aah..Romeo Juliet,Shahjahan-Mumtaz,Heer-Ranjha..
Now do we check out their historical validity for the real coupleshttp://passionforcinema.com/smilies/yahoo_eyeroll.gif
8-|.Love if it had been described by historians wouldnt have been love at all
The film was a way bit long,little editing would have made it crisper.But it makes it up beautifully in its rich,sensitive contenthttp://passionforcinema.com/smilies/yahoo_smiley.gif
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Gr8 movie.
It was fun playing the jodha akbar quiz today at www.mastishot.com
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F**k Khalid Mohammad…!!!
What credibility does This good for nothing critic n (mis)director who has movies like Tehzib and Silsilay to his credit…!!
He is a psycopath who’s pannig movies left right left, just becos others panned his.
This guy finds AB’s voice-over stale. Oh please..!! What did he want AB to do..?? talk in girly voice..??
i surely recommend Hindustan Times to show doors to this nutter. Even those who read his reviews have given the review a 2 star rating.:d
JA is a well made film with great performances and a classic romance. Go for it..!!
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@ vikrant..
I think Raja Bharmal proposed the marriage because the other Rajput kings announced that ” Aaj se Amer ko koi doli nahi aayegi” or something like that..!!!
i guess that sorts out ur problem.
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Nice movie actually.
http://mutiny.in/2008/02/17/gowarikars-new-winner
Vikrant… Adham Khan did indeed get thrown down the parapet twice head-first. Amar Chitra Katha!!! :d
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Prash…
RIGHT about Khalid Mohammad. Please do!!! ;)
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Jodhaa Akbar is simply one of the TOP best Hindi movie to hit our screen.
I have never enjoyed the presence of Hrithik Roshan on screen as i have in this movie. Hrithik was simply enigmatic and captivating. The story so beautiful its surprising why it has not been spoken off much. The love captured between the Jalaudin and Jodhaa was beautifully displayed by Hrithik, Aishwarya and ofcourse the great work by Asutosh Gowariker.
THANKYOU SO MUCH for making such a wonderful movie. ITS IS A MUST SEE. Please continue to make movies on Indian History!
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By far an astounding movie with exceptional everything related to cinema!
Jodhaa-Akbar, stars my favorite actor Hrithik and I greatly appreciate him holding is desire to dance during the Khwaja song. Ashwariya could have fooled anyone to think that she has natural black eyes. Despite the contacts, she emoted through her eyes exceptionally well.
I have many favourite scenes, the ‘daawat’, the sword fight between husband and wife, the elephant taming scene, the song Man mohana, Hrithik’s solitude training … and more
I want to read more about this period and would love to watch even if the team decides to make sequels …. and introduces Birbal … and Saleem …maybe?
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Jodhaa Akbar is a great movie!
Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai were amazing in their performances. Ashutosh Gowariker
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