Published by
Webmaster
at 01:21:47 pm on February 17, 2008
Spoiler Warning: This section has additional observations, other than the ones noted in the main review. It may have some details that could distort your experience while watching the movie.
Story:
Mughal emperor Akbar (Hrithik Roshan) marries Rajput princess Jodhaa bai (Aishwarya Rai) for political advantage. They gradually fall in love with each other. This love story is presented with a backdrop of the political environment of the 1500s.
What worked:
Use of Hindi Shlokas instead of Sanskrit during a pooja.
Use of wide-angle lens to make the tents look bigger than they actually were.
What didn’t:
I highly doubt Rajasthani women wore transparent saris for their blouses to show from 500 years ago!
Even today you will find Rajasthani mothers-in-law wearing the biggest veils before their sons-in-law! And here you have Rani Padmavati (Suhasini Mulay) with no veil at all!
Urdu diction of the some of the side characters – the words didn’t flow, they sounded very forced.
Suhasini Mulay’s (Jodhaa’s mother) acting – at two points, at least, it was difficult to tell whether she was crying or laughing!
Expression on Hrithik Roshan’s face just before he gets up in the “Khwaja” song. It seemed like he was praying for it to get over, where as he actually was going into a trance!
Punam Sinha’s (Akbar’s mother) dialogue delivery.
Cliched symbolism of dark clouds going over the moon!
Jodhaa’s mother had come with a plan for her to escape from the wedding. Why was she then also ready with poison? Did she not believe in her plan? Was she so desperate? If so, how come she had no major role to play in her daughter’s life later?
The silly made-up custom of having to recognize your wife from scores of women. What a rubbish excuse to build drama/romance.
Why was the assassinator waiting to be spotted by Akbar’s men?
The whole religious equality speech – sounded more like an attempt to get the movie tax-exemption!
When Jodhaa’s brother didn’t trust Jodhaa, why did he risk his life for her husband!?
Why wasn’t Jodhaa’s brother being given medical attention and was being presumed to die?
Nitty-gritty:
Are elephants really that easy to tame?
The way Jodhaa was shown around the palace – it sounded like a guided tour.
Jodhaa didn’t taste the daal-baati!
The dialogue that Jodhaa’s father says on Akbar’s arrival to Amer “aan-baan ka chandrama” what is that supposed to mean!?
When did Akbar get the plate of flowers ready during the sword fight?
The special sound effect added to the maulana’s voice.
Jodhaa’s brother was hindu, he would have said, “sadaa sukhi raho” not “sadaa khush raho”
Rating: Watch if you have nothing better to do (but, if you must watch it in theaters)
Rating Scale (best to worst):
• Must see – on the big screen
• Watch for sure, preferably in theatre
• Wait for video release
• Watch if you have nothing better to do
• Switch channels if it’s on cable!
12 Responses to “Jodha Akbar – Excruciatingly Long”
[...] RS Bollywood Online wrote an interesting post today on Jodha Akbar – Excruciatingly LongHere’s a quick excerpt I am not exactly a fan of qualified opinions – especially with opinion on movies. Either you like it or you don’t – no if, no but, only “mut” (opinion in Hindi). In a 5-star scale, Jodhaa Akbar certainly deserves 3, but that would translate to “Wait for DVD release” here. And what a waste it would be to have you do that with such a beautifully shot movie. However, after spending half of the 200+ minutes on mostly mundane romance and the other half on interesting yet dissatisfying display of po [...]
I think whoever wrote this article did not even understand the movie. And about or comment on Akbar’s crowd pleasing deeds –
“To watch Akbar become a crowd-pleaser with just one act of kindness is unconvincing. If this one action is supposed to be symbolic of all such actions he must have taken, then it is extremely dissatisfying.”
First of all this movie shows akbar in the age of 13-28….akbar was only growing as an emperor during is 20s….most of his great works we know about happened in his later years of life……so you cannot say that this political act was dissatisfying in the movie……since the movie is about epic romance i think this sequence was included to show how actually the love between akbar and jodha was growing….after the sword fight sequence akbar leaves telling jodha that she’ll come back to him herself…and she does after akbar makes an impressive move on the pilgrim’s taxes….jodha was impressed and then she comes back to agra……so it worked as a catalyst for the love to blossom between these characters……..this movie is not showcasing akbar’s great body of works that we know about…..ashutosh himself said abt 100times on the interviews that the movie is 70% from his imagination and 30% real…..the romance between akbar and jodha builds within these political situations that are shown in the movie…..so all the politics that is there is just a back drop to the akbar jodha love story…….know well before you talk about something…….the movie couldn’t have been any shorter…..the first hour was basically setting a base for all the characters other wise ppl watching the film would have gotten confused in some sequences throughout the film……film of this scale takes a lot of courage and research and hard work…..at least give ashutosh some credit for bringing history back to life……he did his homework well…..the film is beautifully crafted and well performed by everyone……i recommend everyone to watch it in theatres……..trust me this movie will be remembered for a long time….the length plays no factor in this if a movie is good it’ll always click…..i’ve seen it and it is a great movie
and ya jodha akbar is definitely not a lesson in history….the story is ashutosh’s imagination of how love could have happened between akbar and jodha under such political situations….basically it is an epic romance
Im not sure about watching such a magnum opus on dvd, on a small screen. I think you have seen too many films, and you have no patience left. I dont think the romance is dull in fact i havent seen such a romantic movie in a long time. I am a hindu but i know that the dance in khwaja mere khwaja is actually a ritual where the person goes into a trance like state and connects to god, and the hats on their head are turkish. You are not insulting the film you are insulting their culture. Also if you are smart you would remember that this happened a long time ago, where things happened at a slow pace, and about the costumes i dont think Ashutosh can dress them up any other way, because whether you like it or not, that is how they dressed in that century. I personally thought the film was a refreshing change from what bollywood constantly churns out. Because of your biased review i will make sure never to read or acknowledge your reviews ever again. I think you should think about finding a new job. Anyone who reads this, if you are smart you would appreciate all the hard work put in by our fellow indians or asians, and keep in mind the era that the film takes place in, thank you
This is regarding ms rani’s comment–woman how do you know they wore such funny hats in those days, also who are u to say where and when to watch or not watch this movie. This is a forum and one can express their own thoughts.
BASICALLY THIS WAS A LONG AND DULL, MEDIOCRE MOVIE, A TOTAL WASTE OF TIME AND MONEY, I ONLY WENT AS SOME FRIEND’S INSISTED. LONG AND BORING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. Hrithik’s looks and stupendous acting definitely did stand out. The only saving grace of this movie. All the costumes and grand jewelry did not nothing for the aging, getting fat and fading Ms Rai.
Thank you for the ending notes, i was about to think ok he has a right to have such an opinion about the film, it cannot connect with everyone. But your last comments suggest that you are shallow and who ever you may be with, you will leave them eventually for a younger one….and by calling me woman, you only let me know that you are sexist…i was critisizing the review, i have no interest in what you say
To whoever wrote this article-
If you dont understand such a good movie, you can do two things: 1) Ask for help from some learned and wise people, they’ll explain, 2) If you cant do 1 above, better keep your ass shut!! But never write such shit as a review here..
I dont why RS publishes such things if the feelings are too much opinionated..Go for a larger purview instead..
it is truely a good movie ash and hrithik has done a great job well lets not forget mr ashitosh who has spend money like water to give this movie the touch of mughal empire MUST WATCH THIS MOVIE its different and i dont know is the story is a imagination or a real history but u will njoy it for sure and i wish that it is a real history
Its nothing short of a masterpiece.. Who ever wrote this article definitely dont know how to enjoy a movie.. i think he expected an action packed movie.. helloo.. jodha akbar is a romantic movie..and tht too a very good one in its genre..
[...] RS Bollywood Online wrote an interesting post today on Jodha Akbar – Excruciatingly LongHere’s a quick excerpt I am not exactly a fan of qualified opinions – especially with opinion on movies. Either you like it or you don’t – no if, no but, only “mut” (opinion in Hindi). In a 5-star scale, Jodhaa Akbar certainly deserves 3, but that would translate to “Wait for DVD release” here. And what a waste it would be to have you do that with such a beautifully shot movie. However, after spending half of the 200+ minutes on mostly mundane romance and the other half on interesting yet dissatisfying display of po [...]
I think whoever wrote this article did not even understand the movie. And about or comment on Akbar’s crowd pleasing deeds –
“To watch Akbar become a crowd-pleaser with just one act of kindness is unconvincing. If this one action is supposed to be symbolic of all such actions he must have taken, then it is extremely dissatisfying.”
First of all this movie shows akbar in the age of 13-28….akbar was only growing as an emperor during is 20s….most of his great works we know about happened in his later years of life……so you cannot say that this political act was dissatisfying in the movie……since the movie is about epic romance i think this sequence was included to show how actually the love between akbar and jodha was growing….after the sword fight sequence akbar leaves telling jodha that she’ll come back to him herself…and she does after akbar makes an impressive move on the pilgrim’s taxes….jodha was impressed and then she comes back to agra……so it worked as a catalyst for the love to blossom between these characters……..this movie is not showcasing akbar’s great body of works that we know about…..ashutosh himself said abt 100times on the interviews that the movie is 70% from his imagination and 30% real…..the romance between akbar and jodha builds within these political situations that are shown in the movie…..so all the politics that is there is just a back drop to the akbar jodha love story…….know well before you talk about something…….the movie couldn’t have been any shorter…..the first hour was basically setting a base for all the characters other wise ppl watching the film would have gotten confused in some sequences throughout the film……film of this scale takes a lot of courage and research and hard work…..at least give ashutosh some credit for bringing history back to life……he did his homework well…..the film is beautifully crafted and well performed by everyone……i recommend everyone to watch it in theatres……..trust me this movie will be remembered for a long time….the length plays no factor in this if a movie is good it’ll always click…..i’ve seen it and it is a great movie
and ya jodha akbar is definitely not a lesson in history….the story is ashutosh’s imagination of how love could have happened between akbar and jodha under such political situations….basically it is an epic romance
thè film is okaish but it is a long film,atleast 30mins could have been deleted,jashan e bahara song the highligh 4me,
Im not sure about watching such a magnum opus on dvd, on a small screen. I think you have seen too many films, and you have no patience left. I dont think the romance is dull in fact i havent seen such a romantic movie in a long time. I am a hindu but i know that the dance in khwaja mere khwaja is actually a ritual where the person goes into a trance like state and connects to god, and the hats on their head are turkish. You are not insulting the film you are insulting their culture. Also if you are smart you would remember that this happened a long time ago, where things happened at a slow pace, and about the costumes i dont think Ashutosh can dress them up any other way, because whether you like it or not, that is how they dressed in that century. I personally thought the film was a refreshing change from what bollywood constantly churns out. Because of your biased review i will make sure never to read or acknowledge your reviews ever again. I think you should think about finding a new job. Anyone who reads this, if you are smart you would appreciate all the hard work put in by our fellow indians or asians, and keep in mind the era that the film takes place in, thank you
hrithik is the best…shah rukh stinks………………he wear heavy jackets in summer time, he is crazy……….
This is regarding ms rani’s comment–woman how do you know they wore such funny hats in those days, also who are u to say where and when to watch or not watch this movie. This is a forum and one can express their own thoughts.
BASICALLY THIS WAS A LONG AND DULL, MEDIOCRE MOVIE, A TOTAL WASTE OF TIME AND MONEY, I ONLY WENT AS SOME FRIEND’S INSISTED. LONG AND BORING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. Hrithik’s looks and stupendous acting definitely did stand out. The only saving grace of this movie. All the costumes and grand jewelry did not nothing for the aging, getting fat and fading Ms Rai.
Thank you for the ending notes, i was about to think ok he has a right to have such an opinion about the film, it cannot connect with everyone. But your last comments suggest that you are shallow and who ever you may be with, you will leave them eventually for a younger one….and by calling me woman, you only let me know that you are sexist…i was critisizing the review, i have no interest in what you say
About the hats, i happen to have a bit of worldly knowledge, i know how turkish people dress and they are authentic turkish hats, google it
To whoever wrote this article-
If you dont understand such a good movie, you can do two things: 1) Ask for help from some learned and wise people, they’ll explain, 2) If you cant do 1 above, better keep your ass shut!! But never write such shit as a review here..
I dont why RS publishes such things if the feelings are too much opinionated..Go for a larger purview instead..
it is truely a good movie ash and hrithik has done a great job well lets not forget mr ashitosh who has spend money like water to give this movie the touch of mughal empire MUST WATCH THIS MOVIE its different and i dont know is the story is a imagination or a real history but u will njoy it for sure and i wish that it is a real history
Its nothing short of a masterpiece.. Who ever wrote this article definitely dont know how to enjoy a movie.. i think he expected an action packed movie.. helloo.. jodha akbar is a romantic movie..and tht too a very good one in its genre..