All Hail the Mighty King Roshan!!

A regal emperor, Jalaluddin Mohammad Akbar and his fiery Rajput Queen, the lovely Jodhaa.....this is their little-known love story.

What starts off as a political alliance between two vastly different cultures and religions steadily grows into a sublimely beautiful romance. Interspersed with glimpses into how the benevolent king ruled his kingdom justly while effectively dealing with the pitfalls on his road to ascension….the film is a concise and well-encapsulated take on one of the finest figures in Indian history.

Lavish sets.....savage battle scenes (vaguely reminiscent of Troy).....the unhindered explosion of Rajput colours and the mesmerizing music score by the ever-reliable A.R.Rahman make the movie, a veritable feast for the senses!!

A casting coup of sorts.....Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan do full justice to their roles. They exude grace and confidence..so much so, that it wouldn’t be hard to imagine them ruling over a full-court back in the sixteenth century!! The best scenes by far.....are the ones where the couple light up the screen with their elegance, shared glances and the subtle romance that exists but never over-powers.

Wars have to be fought, traitors be knocked off, evil foster-mothers dealt with and justice meted out. And his Royal Highness does it all…..with style, flair and supreme class. Amidst all the chaos, you appreciate the tenderness and respect that he showers on his new wife. Aishwarya, as a nervous yet feisty princess, plays her role with finesse. Gone are the mindless giggles and painful over-acting!!

Among the supporting cast, Ila Arun as the silently menacing Maham Anga deserves special mention. Also deserving pride of place is Sonu Sood as Prince Sujamal. While more attention could have been paid to his character, when he does appear on the screen.....he plays his grey role with all the uncertainty that it demands.

And finally as the narrator Amitabh Bachchan proclaims.....the love-story of Jodha-Akbar may not have gone down in the history books as one of the all-time great romances. However, silently and gracefully……their love left it’s indelible mark.