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 Director Ashutosh Gowarikar of “Baazi” (known for Amir Khan in drag), “Lagaan” (known for gaining the Academy Award nomination for best foreign film) and “Swades” (known for featuring one of Shah Rukh Khan’s best performances) fame returns to the silver screen with his latest magna opus, “Jodhaa-Akbar”.
The screenplay centers on a classic sixteenth century love story between the Mughal Emperor Akbar and a Rajput princess Jodhaa. The princess is originally used as a political pawn in a marriage to gain the allegiance of the Rajputs, and initially feels no love for the Akbar, but rather holds a fiery resentment in her heart. Akbar may have been able to win an empire that stretched from the Hindu Kush, to Afghanistan, to the Himalayas to the Godavari River, but will he be able to conquer his queen’s heart? Hindi films have tried period pieces to varying effects. In recent memory one can remember the debacle of J.P. Dutta’s “Umrao Jaan” (starring Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai) and Santosh Sivan’s under-rated flawed yet beautiful “Asoka” (starring Shah Rukh Khan and Kareena Kapoor). If there is one director that can perhaps provide Bollywood fans with a true classic movie going experience, it is Ashutosh Gowarikar. For his latest, he has signed the hot couple from “Dhoom II”, Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai. The lead pair set the screen on fire with their chemistry and the outlawed kiss from that blockbuster. If there ever were an actor that could convey the intensity of Emperor Akbar it is Hrithik Roshan. Who could possibly steal the Emperor’s heart? None other than Aishwarya Rai could portray the intensity, anger and passion of Empress Jodhaa. Here’s hoping that the chemistry they shared in “Dhoom 2” is amp’d up in the capable hands of a director the caliber of Gowarikar.
Backed by a solid producer like Ronnie Screwvalla, Ashutosh Gowarikar looks set to wow audiences with his latest release. He’s spared no expense in making sure that the film is historically correct, from hiring scholars, to herds of animals, to detailed costumes, to intense performances the movie promises to be one that will leave Bollywood fans worldwide breathless and caught up in the eternally classic love story of “Jodhaa-Akbar”.
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In addition to signing the hottest lead pair, Gowarikar has also signed his infamous partner in music, A.R. Rahman (with lyricist Javed Akhtar). The musical score for “Lagaan” is considered to be a classic and will stand up to the test of time. The soundtrack to “Swades” didn’t live up to expectations, but nonetheless contained some memorable tunes that matched the mood of that movie. Here’s hoping that maestro Rahman will provide us with one of the best soundtracks of 2007. Already the anticipation is building for the qawwali number, titled, “Khwaja Mere Khwaja” which will feature the smooth vocals of Sonu Nigam and Alka Yagnik.