No doubt that the intentions of Ashutosh Gowariker were noble while making this movie. But there are some inherent flaws that stops the movie from being great and robs the magic away from some moments:
The way there was a change of heart of the citizens after the pilgrim tax was removed. It seemed to happen so fast. I guess to change the image in the minds of citizens, it takes much more than that. So this thing was a bit childish. One day the pilgrim tax is removed and then next moment the citizens are all praise for Akbar. There should have been more logic behind it.
The way Akbar recovers from the impact of the poisoned arrow. Jodha's prayers should have been shown more realistically. The time and again tested formula of showing the glowing lights and the sun rising just before Akbar's recovery. This shows that Ashutosh was just trying to play safe. He should have done it in a normal way rather than trying for a forced impact.
The man to man fight at the end. There is no historical reference of that. Before you start criticizing let me say that I don%u2019t care whether it was true or not. But whoever has seen Troy will believe me where was that idea lifted from.
I believe that most of our rediff readers WANT it to be a great movie. So they deliberately neglect the flaws. Guys it not about wanting it to be a great movie. A great movie will move you even if you don%u2019t want to be affected. I believe that we should encourage such movies so that the future has genui
RE:The flaws in Jodha Akbar
by ritesh ashok darbar on Feb 19, 2008 03:18 PM
A nice comment Anurag. I do share your opinion on last scene stolen from Troy. I give Ashu credit for bring elephants in the battle scene but he has not shown anything even close to what Hollywood has done many years ago with Last Samurai, Gladiator or LOTR. Another trouble is my lessons on history which have killed anything that was remaining the movie. I would have enjoyed the movie to some extent had I not known the fact that Akbar had many, yes many Rajput princesses as his wives, along with considerable number of Muslim wives he already had. So I couldn't digest depiction of love between Akbar and Jodha (or whatever her name was).
And I guys please don't fight over Hindu-Muslim angle. As Akbar was not a true Muslim as he married more than 4 wives and was alcoholic. Neither was he pro-hindu. He found political advantage of bring all the religions together and maintain peace.
No doubt that the intentions of Ashutosh Gowariker were noble while making this movie. But there are some inherent flaws that stops the movie from being great and robs the magic away from some moments:
The way there was a change of heart of the citizens after the pilgrim tax was removed. It seemed to happen so fast. I guess to change the image in the minds of citizens, it takes much more than that. So this thing was a bit childish. One day the pilgrim tax is removed and then next moment the citizens are all praise for Akbar. There should have been more logic behind it. The way Akbar recovers from the impact of the poisoned arrow. Jodha's prayers should have been shown more realistically. The time and again tested formula of showing the glowing lights and the sun rising just before Akbar's recovery. This shows that Ashutosh was just trying to play safe. He should have done it in a normal way rather than trying for a forced impact. The man to man fight at the end. There is no historical reference of that. Before you start criticizing let me say that I don%u2019t care whether it was true or not. But whoever has seen Troy will believe me where was that idea lifted from. I believe that most of our rediff readers WANT it to be a great movie. So they deliberately neglect the flaws. Guys it not about wanting it to be a great movie. A great movie will move you even if you don%u2019t want to be affected. I believe that we should encourage such movies so that the future has genui
Dear RajaSen, You gave only 3stars and a nitpicky review to Taare Zameen Par....which was a shocker. Now here comes another one of your pathetic shockers.. Every time I read a review written by you, I get the feeling that you are a big big show off. You always come up with cross references from Hollywood directors, writers etc which only you or some film institute geek would have heard off.... First of all it is absolute nonsense to compare/criticize a mainstream hindi movie on the basis of some chic hollywood fundas as you always do. Secondly you better figure out whom are you writing a review for?? If it is for some elitist group who know every detail about screenplays and camera shots then I guess a public portal like Rediff.com is absolutely no place for you to display your "smart ass".....
And finally as far as Jodha Akbar is concerned it is a fine film....Some of the arguments that you make are ridiculous. You say that the history seems to be getting in the way of the romance. Can you please explain how do you make a historical without showing the history??? Speaking in your fancy language - how do you establish a mileu??? Secondly you say that it is a cacophonic background score....well you better open up your ears and watch it one more time Mr.Sen before undoing someones genius in a matter of words. Look out for the use of Rajasthani folk sounds in the background score with innovative lyrics filled in...cacophonic?What nonsense!!! Stick to ur hollywood stuff ya
