Jodhaa Akbar in 26 countries and 1500 screens

Jodhaa Akbar’, the epic romance between Mughal Emperor Akbar and the fiery Rajput princess Jodhaa - a co-production between UTV Motion Pictures and Ashutosh Gowariker Productions - is set for an epic scale release worldwide on February 15, 2008.

Directed by Academy Award nominated director, Ashutosh Gowariker, ‘Jodhaa Akbar’ an epic romance, starring Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Hrithik Roshan is set to release across 26 countries in USA, Europe, Asia and Middle East. The film will be dubbed in 3 languages - Hindi, Telegu, Tamil; and subtitled in English, Arabic and Dutch. In the biggest release ever for an Indian film, it will be viewed across 1500 screens worldwide.

In India alone the film is set to release in more than 1200 screens of which 500 will be through digital cinemas and 825 through physical prints. In the US, the film will be released on close to 122 prints, the highest ever for an Indian film. “Jodhaa Abkar is one of the most anticipated movies of the decade and in keeping with the unprecedented anticipation amongst audiences, our distribution strategy will ensure that the film can be viewed by the maximum possible audience in the very week of its release.” says Siddharth Roy Kapur, Director, UTV Motion Pictures Plc.

Hrithik talks about his passion

Valentine brings to mind Red Roses, chocolates, gifts and your eyes mirror the person you cherish in life. B4U Music makes it even more special; they have on board the most handsome and biggest heartthrob of bollywood Hrithik Roshan on their show STARSTOP on this Valentine’s day.B4U STAR STOP is a programme with Film related interviews. Actors/directors talk about their forthcoming movie, their likes, dislikes and other things and chat with B4U VJS. Stars talk about their personal review of the film and share their anecdotes of their experiences during the making of the film.

Hrithik Roshan the actor talks about the passion and inspiration that motivates him to do the films that he commits to. He states his penchant for doing physically demanding and strenuous films and enjoys them.VJ Salil during the course of the interview brings to fore an important aspect of Hritihik’s life; working relationship with his father. Hrithik talks about their views clashing and their professional relationship and the balance they maintain.

His take on Hollywood and James Bond makes for very interesting viewing.Jodha Akbar his forthcoming film forms an integral part of this interview, he reminisces fondly about the film, costumes, his chemistry with Aishwarya and incidents related to the film.

Tune in for all this and much more on B4U Music on 14th and 15th Feb 2008 on B4U StarStop at 19.10 hrs.

Jodhaa Akbar South versions on later date

Sometime back, we heard that the Tamil and Telugu versions of Ashutosh Gowariker’s historical Jodhaa Akbar were slated for release simultaneously with the Hindi version of the film, on 15th February. Well, there’s a slight change now. UTV has decided to release the Hindi version on the scheduled date, but push the Tamil and Telugu versions to a later date.

“That’s true,” Siddharth Roy Kapur of UTV confirms, “We’ve decided to defer the release of Tamil and Telugu versions by 3 weeks. The Tamil and Telugu versions will now release on 6th March. The reason for the deferred release is we want to promote the South versions further. Also, if the film works in a big way (which it should), the Tamil and Telugu versions would only stand to benefit.”

Meanwhile, UTV is releasing the historical in approximately 1,500 screens in 26 countries. “It’ll be the biggest-ever release for a Hindi film in U.S. (125 screens), while U.K. will see around 70 screens. We’re covering the domestic (India) market with 825 prints,” Siddharth adds.Meanwhile, a lavish premiere of the film will be held on Thursday night at a suburban multiplex of Mumbai.

Jodha Akbar Reviews

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.

It requires courage, prowess, patience, aptitude, knowledge, passion and of course, loads of currency to attempt a movie like JODHAA AKBAR. But more than anything else, it requires your firm belief in the subject, the belief to attempt a historical when historicals are considered an absolute no-no in the industry, the belief to spend almost Rs. 40 crores in a film that could go either ways.

Only when you're convinced yourself can you convince millions of moviegoers. And convinced you are after watching JODHAA AKBAR, a film of epic proportions.

Now let's clear a few misconceptions pertaining to the film…

• It's blasphemous to compare MUGHAL-E-AZAM and JODHAA AKBAR. While MUGHAL-E-AZAM was primarily about the legendary romance between Salim and Anarkali, a subject that has been attempted quite a few times on the Hindi screen before, JODHAA AKBAR is about the relationship that the young Akbar shared with Jodhaa.
  
  
• A lot has been said and written about its length [3.20 hours]. Does the viewer of today have the patience to watch a really lengthy film in today's times? But once into JODHAA AKBAR, the sequence of events, the drama, the romance, the war… every aspect keeps you mesmerized. Oh yes, the length does pinch you at one crucial point [second hour, which is relatively shorter], when a song breaks out. Otherwise, the 3 + hours are very well spent.
  
  
• When you watch historicals like MUGHAL-E-AZAM and RAZIA SULTAN, the usage of chaste Urdu is difficult to comprehend at times. Not here! The language is simplified - Akbar speaks in Urdu, Jodhaa in Hindi - and it's easy to decipher.

As a cinematic experience, it would be wrong to compare JODHAA AKBAR to any of Ashutosh Gowariker's previous endeavors. Why, it would be erroneous to compare the film with any film ever made before in this genre. This one stands out and stands out the tallest.

To sum up, JODHAA AKBAR leaves you spellbound, enthralled, entranced and awestruck. Ashutosh Gowariker makes the legendary characters come alive on screen. Take a bow, Ashu!

Set in the sixteenth century, JODHAA AKBAR is a love story about a marriage of alliance that gave birth to true love between a great Mughal emperor, Akbar, and a Rajput princess, Jodhaa. Little did Akbar [Hrithik Roshan] know that when he married Jodhaa [Aishwarya Rai Bachchan], he would be embarking upon a new journey -- the journey of true love.

The daughter of King Bharmal of Amer [Kulbhushan Kharbanda], Jodhaa resented being reduced to a mere political pawn in this marriage of alliance, and Akbar's biggest challenge now did not merely lie in winning battles, but in winning the love of this defiant princess.

One of the prime reasons why JODHAA AKBAR works is because the present-day viewer is unaware of the romance between Akbar and Jodhaa. Sure, we all know of Akbar as a great emperor, but the love story makes for a refreshing subject. And the execution of a number of sequences makes JODHAA AKBAR extremely special.

Some instances:
* The war sequence at the very outset. You realize the scale and magnitude of the film at the very beginning.
* Hrithik taming an out-of-control elephant. It's hair-raising.
* The two pre-conditions set by Jodhaa, before her marriage to Akbar. Very interesting.
* The confrontation between Ila Arun and Ash at the kitchen, when Ash decides to make the meal herself.
* The immediate sequence, when Ash is asked to taste the food herself by Ila before she's about to serve the food to the Emperor and his associates. Once done, Hrithik demanding that he be served the meal from the same platter that Jodhaa had used.
* The intermission point, which sows the seeds of a misunderstanding between Hrithik and Ash.
* Post-interval, Hrithik returning to Amer to get Ash back to Agra and the welcome ceremony by his mother-in-law [Suhasini Mulay].
* The sword fight the very next morning, between Hrithik and Ash.
* The 'Azeem-o-Shaan Shahenshah' track, when the entire kingdom hails Hrithik.
* The fight in the climax [reminds you of the fight between Brad Pitt and Eric Bana in TROY].
Amazing moments indeed…

Ashutosh Gowariker knows that historicals have to be simplified while narrating on celluloid so that the moviegoer is able to grasp and comprehend the plotline and the sequence of events. Thankfully, JODHAA AKBAR is not in the least difficult to decipher. Gowariker's handling of the subject deserves the highest praise, for it's not everyday that you come across a film like JODHAA AKBAR.

A.R. Rahman's music is not the type that you take to instantly, but yes, it gels beautifully with the mood of the film. 'Azeem-o-Shaan Shahenshah' and 'Jashn-e-Bahara' are the best tracks in terms of tune. In terms of choreography, 'Azeem-o-Shaan Shahenshah' is awe-inspiring, while the execution of 'Khwaja Mere Khwaja' is outstanding. Rahman's background score is simply extra-ordinary.

There's no room for dullness in Haider Ali and Gowariker's screenplay. The writing is tight, the drama keeps you hooked and the romantic track is wonderful. The film also talks of secularism, an issue so vital in today's times. K.P. Saxena's dialogues are amazing. At places, soaked in acid. The writer comes up with several gems, yet again. Kiran Deohans' cinematography matches international standards. The movement of camera at various places, especially in the battlefield, is breath-taking. Also, the D.O.P. captures the grandeur to the fullest. The production design [Nitin Chandrakant Desai] is, again, awesome. Recreating the bygone era requires not just money, but also the vision and Desai proves his supremacy yet again.

Be it the war sequences or the sword fights or general action, Ravi Dewan's contribution to the film is incredible. Especially noteworthy is the fight between Hrithik and Nikitin Dheer in the climax. It's simply outstanding! Editing [Ballu Saluja] is perfect, although the romantic song between Hrithik and Ash can be shortened in the second hour. The costumes [Neeta Lulla] as also the jewelry also deserve special mention.

JODHAA AKBAR also works because of the right casting. It's difficult to imagine anyone else in the role of Emperor Akbar. Hrithik seems born to play this role and he enacts it with such precision, such flourish, such confidence that it leaves you asking for more. A mind-boggling performance without doubt!

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is superb. Oh yes, she looks ethereal -- a compliment she has heard a trillion times before. What's new in that? But watch her emote in this film. You realize the amazing talent that has hitherto not been tapped by any movie maker. A flawless performance indeed!

JODHAA AKBAR has a host of characters, but the ones whom you carry home, besides Hrithik and Ash, are Sonu Sood [excellent], Nikitin Dheer [fantastic], Ila Arun [electrifying; her finest work so far], Punam S. Sinha [graceful], Kulbhushan Kharbanda [perfect], Raza Murad [effective] and Rajesh Vivek [good]. Amitabh Bachchan's rich barritone voice adds lustre to the magnum opus.

On the whole, JODHAA AKBAR is, without a shred of doubt, a brilliant film in all respects. This historical has all it takes to prove the first blockbuster of 2008. Very strongly recommended!

Rating 4/5

As a pair Hrithik-Ash make a wonderful pair: Abhishek Bachchan

When actor Abhishek Bachchan walked in for the Indian Masters, a golf tour event, on Sunday afternoon, he seemed like an unlikely participant, but the actor confessed that he's working on his handicaps.

"I am working on it. It's abysmal right now," he said, grinning.

And considering that the actor just turned 32, is age a handicap?

"No, I don't think age creeps up on any one. It's wonderful," was the curious reply.

And wonderful it is, to have Aishwarya wife who was recently voted one of the most desirable women in the world.

"These surveys are pretty accurate, but thank you for telling us something we already knew," he says with a smile.

But what one doesn't know is how he feels about Ash teaming up with Hrithik Roshan for Jodhaa Akbar , especially after their much talked about kiss in Dhoom 2

"As a pair, they worked in Dhoom 2 and were much appreciated. As a pair, I think they look wonderful together," says the ever-gracious husband.

And what is his take on Raj Thackeray's accusations against his father Amitabh Bachchan not being a true Maharashtrian?

"I don't have a take on it," came the simple, uncontroversial reply.

And last but not the least, what does year 2008 hold in store for Abhishek Bachchan?

"Am doing three films, all with different themes, Sarkar Raj , Drona and Dilli 6 ," says he.

Papa Roshan stunned by Jodhaa...

Now what is this I just overheard yesterday darlings? On Friday the 8th of February, Papa Roshan along with his bunch of jigari dost the card playing Panju clique of filmdom, went for a screening of Jodhaa Akbar and they came away in a state of shock. Papa Roshan was completely overwhelmed by the film. Rakesh Roshan felt even as a father he had never managed to evoke such a powerful performance for Hrithik Roshan in any of his ventures. Even as the entire coterie was busy predicting that Jodhaa Akbar would be the top grosser of the year and Hrithik would walk away with all the awards, Papa Roshan was really really depressed about all his forthcoming ventures with Hrithik. And not for nothing… Hrithik’s performance in this film will be a tough act to follow for any director leave alone somebody like Rakesh Roshan whose films work mainly because of Hrithik’s charisma rather than a great script or storyline.