Will Jodha-Akbar be as successful as Mughal-i-azam?
Jodha-Akbar is one of the big budget films released in February, 2008, directed by Ashutosh Gowarikar. The big question is whether the film is going to be as successful as period films previously being made like Mughal-i-azam by K. Asif. The big challenge for these types of films is the acceptability of the historical documentation by the viewers.
During the 60s, people were used to seeing historical films and it was easy for the directors to create a believable version. That is the reason in those days films like Tajmahal, 1963, Anarkali, 1955, all were successful. These days with various types of films being made unless the viewers find exceptional presentation of the history the stories are not well accepted.
In Jodha-Akbar, two of the most popular actors and actresses of the present period namely Hrithik and Aiswariya have played the role of Akbar and Jodha. Both have matured level of understanding and had done very well in the film. Besides Akbar is one of the most liberal-minded rulers of that period and there is lot of love and respect for the ruler which adds to the prospect of success of the film. And Akbar had to struggle a lot during his early days, as his father Humayun mostly faced fierce battles from Sher Shah Suri, for those reasons people have sympathy towards him and appreciate his love for Din-illahi and encouragement provide for nine gems including poets, singers, thinkers, etc. AR Rehman, the most innovative composers of the present time had given excellent music also.
But the moment comparison comes with the way it was played by Prithviraj Kapoor and Durga Khote in Mughal-i-azam, viewers will have mixed responses. Actors in those days used to exhibit royal style of acting by stretching their dialogues. Ofcourse that film had shown the part of the history where Akbar stood in the way of romance of Salim and Anarkali. Besides already a controversy did arise about the origin of Jodha Bai in some parts of India, including Rajasthan. It was very unconventional on the part of a Mughal King marrying a Rajput queen in those days.
Even then, Ashutosh Gowarikar had portrayed the historical events very well, and done shooting in exotic locations. The film is expected to be successful and that can lead to other directors to take up the challenge of making other period films.
By: CR Chatterji.
