Akbar-Jodha
Encyclopedia
Jodhaa-Akbar is an India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...

n epic film
Epic film
An epic is a genre of film that emphasizes human drama on a grand scale. Epics are more ambitious in scope than other film genres, and their ambitious nature helps to differentiate them from similar genres such as the period piece or adventure film...

 released on 15 February 2008
Bollywood films of 2008
A list of films produced by the Bollywood film industry based in Mumbai in 2008:-Top grossing films:The top fifteen grossing films at the Indian box office in 2008, as estimated by Boxofficeindia.com.-2008 releases:- External links :...

. It is directed and produced by Ashutosh Gowariker
Ashutosh Gowariker
Ashutosh Gowariker is an Indian film director, actor, writer and producer. He is known for directing the films Lagaan , Swades , Jodhaa Akbar , What's Your Raashee and Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey...

, the director of the Academy Award-nominated Lagaan
Lagaan
Lagaan is a 2001 Bollywood sports film written and directed by Ashutosh Gowariker. Aamir Khan, who was also the producer for the film, stars with Gracy Singh in the lead roles; British actors Rachel Shelley and Paul Blackthorne play the supporting roles...

(2001). It stars Hrithik Roshan
Hrithik Roshan
Hrithik Roshan is an Indian actor who appears in Bollywood films.After having appeared in films as a child actor in the 1980s, Roshan made his film debut in a leading role in Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai for which Roshan earned his Filmfare Awards for Best Actor and Best Male Debut...

 and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan
Aishwarya Rai
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is an Indian film actress. She worked as a model before starting her acting career, and ultimately won the Miss World pageant in 1994...

 in lead roles. This film also marks the debut of newcomer Abir Abrar. Extensive research went into the making of this film which began shooting at Karjat
Karjat
Karjat is a city, a Municipal Council, a Tahsil and a sub-district in Raigad district, Mumbai, Navi Mumbai in the Indian state of Maharashtra.-Geography:...

.

The film centers around the romance between the Muslim
Muslim
A Muslim, also spelled Moslem, is an adherent of Islam, a monotheistic, Abrahamic religion based on the Quran, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God as revealed to prophet Muhammad. "Muslim" is the Arabic term for "submitter" .Muslims believe that God is one and incomparable...

 Mughal
Mughal Empire
The Mughal Empire ,‎ or Mogul Empire in traditional English usage, was an imperial power from the Indian Subcontinent. The Mughal emperors were descendants of the Timurids...

 Emperor Akbar the Great
Akbar the Great
Akbar , also known as Shahanshah Akbar-e-Azam or Akbar the Great , was the third Mughal Emperor. He was of Timurid descent; the son of Emperor Humayun, and the grandson of the Mughal Emperor Zaheeruddin Muhammad Babur, the ruler who founded the Mughal dynasty in India...

, played by Hrithik Roshan
Hrithik Roshan
Hrithik Roshan is an Indian actor who appears in Bollywood films.After having appeared in films as a child actor in the 1980s, Roshan made his film debut in a leading role in Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai for which Roshan earned his Filmfare Awards for Best Actor and Best Male Debut...

, and the Hindu
Hindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...

 Rajput
Rajput
A Rajput is a member of one of the patrilineal clans of western, central, northern India and in some parts of Pakistan. Rajputs are descendants of one of the major ruling warrior classes in the Indian subcontinent, particularly North India...

 Princess Jodhabai who becomes his wife, played by Aishwarya Rai Bachchan
Aishwarya Rai
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is an Indian film actress. She worked as a model before starting her acting career, and ultimately won the Miss World pageant in 1994...

. The music is composed by acclaimed music composer A. R. Rahman
A. R. Rahman
Allah Rakha Rahman is an Indian composer, singer-songwriter, record producer, musician, and philanthropist. Described as the world's most prominent and prolific film composer by Time, his works are notable for integrating eastern classical music with electronic music sounds, world music genres and...

. The soundtrack of the movie was released on 19 January 2008. The film has won the Audience Award for Best Foreign Language Film at the São Paulo International Film Festival
São Paulo International Film Festival
The São Paulo International Film Festival is a film festival held annually in São Paulo, Brazil since 1976. In 2004 Iranian director Abbas Kiarostami was a member of the jury.-International Jury Award:*2001: The New Country ...

, two awards at the Golden Minbar International Film Festival, seven Star Screen Awards
Star Screen Awards
The Star Screen Awards is an annual awards ceremony in India honoring professional excellence in film. The nomination and award selection is done by a panel of distinguished professional from the industry itself.- History :...

 and five Filmfare Awards
Filmfare Awards
The Filmfare Awards are presented annually by The Times Group to honour both artistic and technical excellence of professionals in the Hindi language film industry of India. The Filmfare ceremony is one of the oldest and most prominent film events given for Hindi films in India. The awards were...

, in addition to two nominations at the 3rd Asian Film Awards
3rd Asian Film Awards
The 3rd Asian Film Awards was given in a ceremony on 23 March 2009 as part of the Hong Kong International Film Festival.-Best Film:*Winner: Tokyo Sonata **Forever Enthralled...

.

Synopsis

Jodhaa Akbar is a sixteenth century love story about a political marriage of convenience
Marriage of convenience
A marriage of convenience is a marriage contracted for reasons other than the reasons of relationship, family, or love. Instead, such a marriage is orchestrated for personal gain or some other sort of strategic purpose, such as political marriage. The phrase is a calque of - a marriage of...

 between a Mughal
Mughal Empire
The Mughal Empire ,‎ or Mogul Empire in traditional English usage, was an imperial power from the Indian Subcontinent. The Mughal emperors were descendants of the Timurids...

 emperor, Akbar, and a Rajput
Rajput
A Rajput is a member of one of the patrilineal clans of western, central, northern India and in some parts of Pakistan. Rajputs are descendants of one of the major ruling warrior classes in the Indian subcontinent, particularly North India...

 princess, Jodhaa.

Political success knew no bounds for Emperor Akbar (Hrithik Roshan
Hrithik Roshan
Hrithik Roshan is an Indian actor who appears in Bollywood films.After having appeared in films as a child actor in the 1980s, Roshan made his film debut in a leading role in Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai for which Roshan earned his Filmfare Awards for Best Actor and Best Male Debut...

). After having secured the Hindu Kush
Hindu Kush
The Hindu Kush is an mountain range that stretches between central Afghanistan and northern Pakistan. The highest point in the Hindu Kush is Tirich Mir in the Chitral region of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.It is the westernmost extension of the Pamir Mountains, the Karakoram Range, and is a...

, his empire extends from Afghanistan
Afghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...

 to the Bay of Bengal
Bay of Bengal
The Bay of Bengal , the largest bay in the world, forms the northeastern part of the Indian Ocean. It resembles a triangle in shape, and is bordered mostly by the Eastern Coast of India, southern coast of Bangladesh and Sri Lanka to the west and Burma and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands to the...

, and from the Himalayas
Himalayas
The Himalaya Range or Himalaya Mountains Sanskrit: Devanagari: हिमालय, literally "abode of snow"), usually called the Himalayas or Himalaya for short, is a mountain range in Asia, separating the Indian subcontinent from the Tibetan Plateau...

 to the Narmada River
Narmada River
The Narmada , also called Rewa is a river in central India and the fifth largest river in the Indian subcontinent. It is the third largest river that completely flows within India after Ganges and Godavari...

. Through a shrewd blend of diplomacy, intimidation and brute force, Akbar won the allegiance of the Rajputs. This allegiance was not universal. Maharana Pratap and many other Rajput
Rajput
A Rajput is a member of one of the patrilineal clans of western, central, northern India and in some parts of Pakistan. Rajputs are descendants of one of the major ruling warrior classes in the Indian subcontinent, particularly North India...

s always considered Akbar as a foreign invader. Maharana Pratap also banned inter marriages between Rajputs who had given their daughters to the Mughals and the ones who did not. But little did Akbar know that when he married Jodhaa (Aishwarya Rai
Aishwarya Rai
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is an Indian film actress. She worked as a model before starting her acting career, and ultimately won the Miss World pageant in 1994...

), a fiery Rajput princess, in order to further strengthen his relations with the Rajputs, he would in turn be embarking upon a new journey – the journey of true love.

The daughter of King Bharmal of Amer, Jodhaa resented being reduced to a mere political pawn in this marriage of alliance, and Akbar’s biggest challenge now lies in winning the love of Jodhaa – a love hidden deep below resentment and extreme prejudice.

Historical Accuracy

Many of the events portrayed in the movie are based on real events. Certain Rajput
Rajput
A Rajput is a member of one of the patrilineal clans of western, central, northern India and in some parts of Pakistan. Rajputs are descendants of one of the major ruling warrior classes in the Indian subcontinent, particularly North India...

 groups claimed Jodhaa was married to Akbar's son, Jahangir
Jahangir
Jahangir was the ruler of the Mughal Empire from 1605 until his death. The name Jahangir is from Persian جهانگیر,meaning "Conqueror of the World"...

, not Akbar. They also demanded a public apology from Ashutosh Gowariker. The film was not released in 30 cinema theatres in Rajasthan.

Several historians claim that Akbar's Rajput wife was never known as "Jodha Bai" during the Mughal period.
According to Professor Shirin Moosvi, a historian of Aligarh Muslim University
Aligarh Muslim University
Aligarh Muslim University ,is a residential academic university, established in 1875 by Sir Syed Ahmed Khan as Mohammedan Angelo-Oriental College and later granted the status of Central University by an Act of the Indian Parliament in 1920...

, neither the Akbarnama
Akbarnama
The ' , which literally means Book of Akbar, is the official chronicle of the reign of Akbar, the third Mughal Emperor , commissioned by Akbar himself and written in Persian by his court historian and biographer, Abul Fazl who was one of the nine jewels in Akbar's court...

 (a biography of Akbar commissioned by Akbar himself), nor any historical text from the period refer to her as Jodha Bai. Moosvi notes that the name "Jodha Bai" was first used to refer to Akbar's wife in the 18th and 19th centuries in historical writings. In Tuzk-e-Jahangiri, she is referred as Mariam Zamani, who was, by some accounts, a Christian Armenian
Armenians in India
The association of Armenians with India and the presence of Armenians in India are very old, and there has been a mutual economic and cultural association of Armenians with India for the last several centuries...

.

According to historian Imtiaz Ahmad, the director of the Khuda Baksh Oriental Public Library in Patna
Patna
Paṭnā , is the capital of the Indian state of Bihar and the second largest city in Eastern India . Patna is one of the oldest continuously inhabited places in the world...

, the name "Jodha" was used for Akbar's wife for the first time by Lieutenant-Colonel James Tod
James Tod
Lieutenant-Colonel James Tod was an English officer of the British East India Company and an Oriental scholar.Tod was born in London and educated in Scotland, later joining the East India Company as a military officer. He travelled to India in 1799 as a cadet in the Bengal Army where he rose...

, in his book Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan. According to Ahmad, Tod was not a professional historian. N R Farooqi claims that Jodha Bai was not the name of Akbar's Rajput queen; it was the name of Jahangir's Rajput wife.

Ashutosh Gowarikar's reaction was,

Protests and legal issues

The portrayal of ethnic Rajput
Rajput
A Rajput is a member of one of the patrilineal clans of western, central, northern India and in some parts of Pakistan. Rajputs are descendants of one of the major ruling warrior classes in the Indian subcontinent, particularly North India...

 people in the movie was criticized by members of the Rajput community as misleading, politically motivated historical revisionism
Historical revisionism (negationism)
Historical revisionism is either the legitimate scholastic re-examination of existing knowledge about a historical event, or the illegitimate distortion of the historical record such that certain events appear in a more or less favourable light. For the former, i.e. the academic pursuit, see...

 that minimized Rajput history and scapegoat
Scapegoat
Scapegoating is the practice of singling out any party for unmerited negative treatment or blame. Scapegoating may be conducted by individuals against individuals , individuals against groups , groups against individuals , and groups against groups Scapegoating is the practice of singling out any...

ed them as evil. The community's protests against the film in some states, and it has been banned by the states of Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh abbreviation U.P. , is a state located in the northern part of India. With a population of over 200 million people, it is India's most populous state, as well as the world's most populous sub-national entity...

, Rajasthan
Rajasthan
Rājasthān the land of Rajasthanis, , is the largest state of the Republic of India by area. It is located in the northwest of India. It encompasses most of the area of the large, inhospitable Great Indian Desert , which has an edge paralleling the Sutlej-Indus river valley along its border with...

, Haryana
Haryana
Haryana is a state in India. Historically, it has been a part of the Kuru region in North India. The name Haryana is found mentioned in the 12th century AD by the apabhramsha writer Vibudh Shridhar . It is bordered by Punjab and Himachal Pradesh to the north, and by Rajasthan to the west and south...

 and Uttarakhand
Uttarakhand
Uttarakhand , formerly Uttaranchal, is a state in the northern part of India. It is often referred to as the Land of Gods due to the many holy Hindu temples and cities found throughout the state, some of which are among Hinduism's most spiritual and auspicious places of pilgrimage and worship...

. However, the producer moved the Supreme Court by challenging it. Later, the Supreme Court of India
Supreme Court of India
The Supreme Court of India is the highest judicial forum and final court of appeal as established by Part V, Chapter IV of the Constitution of India...

 lifted the ban on screening the film for now in Uttar Pradesh and some towns of Uttarakhand and Haryana. The court scrapped the Uttar Pradesh government ban as well as similar orders by authorities in Dehradun
Dehradun
- Geography :The Dehradun district has various types of physical geography from Himalayan mountains to Plains. Raiwala is the lowest point at 315 meters above sea level, and the highest points are within the Tiuni hills, rising to 3700 m above sea level...

 in Uttarkhand and in Ambala
Ambala
Ambala is a city and a municipal corporation in Ambala district in the state of Haryana, India, located on the border of the states of Haryana and Punjab in India. Politically; Ambala has two sub-areas: Ambala Cantt and Ambala City, approximately 3 kilometers apart from each other...

, Sonepat and Rewari
Rewari
Rewari is a city and a municipal council in Rewari district in the Indian state of Haryana. It is located in south-west Haryana around from Delhi and from Gurgaon.- Etymology :...

 in Haryana.

Cast

  • Hrithik Roshan
    Hrithik Roshan
    Hrithik Roshan is an Indian actor who appears in Bollywood films.After having appeared in films as a child actor in the 1980s, Roshan made his film debut in a leading role in Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai for which Roshan earned his Filmfare Awards for Best Actor and Best Male Debut...

     as Jalaluddin Mohammad Akbar
  • Aishwarya Rai
    Aishwarya Rai
    Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is an Indian film actress. She worked as a model before starting her acting career, and ultimately won the Miss World pageant in 1994...

     as Rajkumari Jodhaa
  • Sonu Sood
    Sonu Sood
    Sonu Sood is a former model and Indian actor who has acted in Hindi,, Telugu and Tamil films. A participant in the Mr. India contest, he has appeared in commercials for Apollo Tyres, Airtel etc. In Tollywood he is best known for his role as the antagonist, Pasupathi, in the film...

     as Rajkumar Sujamal
  • Kulbhushan Kharbanda
    Kulbhushan Kharbanda
    Kulbhushan Kharbanda is an Indian actor, who worked in Hindi and Punjabi films, and is known as character Shakaal in Shaan inspired by the character of Blofeld from James Bond movies...

     as Raja Bharmal
  • Suhasini Mulay
    Suhasini Mulay
    Suhasini Mulay is an Indian actress in Bollywood and Marathi films as well as television. She won National Film Award for Best Supporting Actress in 1999, for her performance in Gulzar's film Hu Tu Tu.-Early life and education:...

     as Rani Padmawati
  • Raza Murad
    Raza Murad
    Raza Murad is an Indian actor working primarily in Hindi films. He has acted in over 200 Bollywood films.He is the son of renowned Bollywood character actor Murad. He is also the first cousin of Zeenat Aman, his uncle being Amanullah Khan, writer of Mughal-e-Azam and Pakeezah. His niece Sonam was...

     as Shamsuddin Atka Khan
  • Poonam Sinha as Mallika Hamida Banu Begum
    Hamida Banu Begum
    Hamida Banu Begam, Maryam Makani was a wife of the second Mughal Emperor, Humayun, and the mother of Mughal Emperor , Akbar...

  • Rajesh Vivek
    Rajesh Vivek
    Rajesh Vivek is a Marathi Actor who is best known to Hindi movie audiences for his role of the astrologer Guran in Lagaan or as the Postman/Postmaster in Swades. He made his mark as a villain in the beginning with films like Veerana and Tridev, often playing roles of henchman- but later on he...

     as Chugtai Khan
  • Pramod Moutho as Todar Mal
  • Ila Arun
    Ila Arun
    Ila Arun is a popular Indian actress, TV personality and a Rajasthani folk/folk-pop singer with a unique, husky voice and a penchant for folk-pop fusion. Her daughter is Ishita Arun.-Early life:She was born and brought up in the state capital of Jaipur...

     as Maham Anga
    Maham Anga
    Maham Anga was the wet nurse of the Mughal Emperor Akbar, and often referred as his foster mother as she took care of young Akbar, as his own mother, Hamida Banu Begum was mostly away, with his father, Humayun was in exile, throughout Akbar's growing years...

  • Surendra Pal
    Surendra Pal
    Surendra Pal is an Indian film and television character actor who is best known for his television roles of Dronacharya in Mahabharat, Amatya Rakshas in Chanakya and Tamraj Kilvish in Shaktiman.Surendra Pal was born in 1953....

     as Rana Uday Singh
  • Visshwa Badola as Saadir Adaasi
  • Prathmesh Mehta as Chandrabhan Singh
  • Shaji Chaudhary as Adham Khan
  • Manava Naik as Neelakshi
  • Disha Vakani
    Disha Vakani
    Disha Vakani grew up in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. She is an Indian TV actress who appears mainly in TV serials, but have also acted in some bollywood films and TV commercials. She lives in Goregaon, Mumbai. She is popularly known as "Daya Gada", because of her character in the popular comedy serial...

     as Madhavi
  • Abeer Abrar as Bakshi Banu Begum
  • Indrajit Sarkar as Maheshdas / Birbal
  • Aman Dhaliwal as Rajkumar Ratan Singh
  • Nikitin Dheer as Sharifuddin Hussain
  • Pradeep Sharma
    Pradeep Sharma
    Pradeep Sharma is a serving officer in the police force of Mumbai, India. Sharma attained notability as an "encounter specialist" with the Mumbai Encounter Squad and was involved with the deaths of as many as 112 criminals...

     as Sheikh Mubarak
  • Balraj as Raja Balraj Singh
  • Sudhanshu Hakku as Raja Shimalgarh
  • Digvijay Purohit as Rajkumar Bhagwan Das
  • Yuri Suri as Bairam Khan
  • Sayed Badrul Hasan as Mullah Do Pyaaza
  • Dilnaaz Irani as Salima
  • Tejpal Singh Rawat as Ni'Mat
  • Shehzor Ali as Raja Hemu
  • Ulhas Barve as Raja Mankeshwar
  • Jassi Singh as Raja Bhadra
  • Raju Pandit as Raja Bhaati
  • Bharat Kumar as Raja Chauhan
  • Rajiv Sehgal as Raja Viraat
  • Gurmmeet Singh as Raja Shundi

Crew

  • Story: Haidar Ali
  • Screenplay: Haidar Ali & Ashutosh Gowariker
  • Dialogues: K.P.Saxena
  • Make-up Artist: Jamie Wilson
  • Production Design: Nitin Chandrakant Desai
    Nitin Chandrakant Desai
    Nitin Chandrakant Desai, is a noted Indian art director and production designer of Indian cinema turned film and television producer, most known for his work in films like, Lagaan , Jodhaa Akbar , Devdas and Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam...

  • Visual Effects: Pankaj Khandpur (Tata Elxsi - Visual Computing Labs)
  • Chief Assistant Director: Karan Malhotra
  • Cinematography: Kiran Deohan

Production

Ashutosh Gowariker
Ashutosh Gowariker
Ashutosh Gowariker is an Indian film director, actor, writer and producer. He is known for directing the films Lagaan , Swades , Jodhaa Akbar , What's Your Raashee and Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey...

 hired a research team of historians and scholars from New Delhi, Aligarh, Lucknow, Agra and Jaipur to guide him on this film and help him keep things historically accurate. He clarified that the name of the film remains Jodhaa-Akbar, and not Akbar-Jodhaa as reported by sections of the media.
Over 80 elephants, 100 horses and 55 camels were used in the movie. Name Of Main Titled “Azeem O Shan, Shahenshah”, the song featured about one thousand dancers in traditional costumes, wielding swords and shields at a grand location in Karjat
Karjat
Karjat is a city, a Municipal Council, a Tahsil and a sub-district in Raigad district, Mumbai, Navi Mumbai in the Indian state of Maharashtra.-Geography:...

. The budget of the film was initially Rs. 37 cr., which shot up to Rs. 40 crore. The film was supposed to be released in June–December 2007, but was delayed due to unknown issues.

The first television promo was aired on 9 December 2007.

The movie used much gold
Gold
Gold is a chemical element with the symbol Au and an atomic number of 79. Gold is a dense, soft, shiny, malleable and ductile metal. Pure gold has a bright yellow color and luster traditionally considered attractive, which it maintains without oxidizing in air or water. Chemically, gold is a...

 and kundan
Kundan
Kundan keshri is a traditional South Asian gemstone jewellery, a method of gem setting in a jewellery piece, consisting of inserting gold foil between the stones and its mount, usually used to create elaborate necklaces believed to have originated in the royal courts of Rajasthan and Gujarat...

 jewellery made by Tanishq
Tanishq
Tanishq is a prominent jewellery brand of India. It pioneered the concept of branded jewellery and ornaments in India. It is a division of Titan Industries Limited, a company promoted by the Tata Group, one of India's largest conglomerates...

, including 2 kg of gold for the sword case alone.

Box office

In North America, the film grossed $1.3 million in the first weekend and went on to gross $3,440,718 in its lifetime. The film had a slow start at the Indian box office. The movie netted Rs 24.75 crores in the first week with good word of mouth publicity, it went on to cross the coveted Rs 100 crore Nett milestone by the fourth weekend. The movie has been estimated to end its theatrical run in India with total business of 120 crores Nett, without being released in Rajasthan due to political unrest.

Critical reception

The film received a critics rating of 69 on Metacritic
Metacritic
Metacritic.com is a website that collates reviews of music albums, games, movies, TV shows and DVDs. For each product, a numerical score from each review is obtained and the total is averaged. An excerpt of each review is provided along with a hyperlink to the source. Three colour codes of Green,...

s, and Rotten Tomatoes
Rotten Tomatoes
Rotten Tomatoes is a website devoted to reviews, information, and news of films—widely known as a film review aggregator. Its name derives from the cliché of audiences throwing tomatoes and other vegetables at a poor stage performance...

 has given the film a 78% rating with 7 fresh and 2 rotten reviews.

Anil Sinanan of The Times
The Times
The Times is a British daily national newspaper, first published in London in 1785 under the title The Daily Universal Register . The Times and its sister paper The Sunday Times are published by Times Newspapers Limited, a subsidiary since 1981 of News International...

gave the film four out of five stars stating, "Oscar-nominated Lagaan
Lagaan
Lagaan is a 2001 Bollywood sports film written and directed by Ashutosh Gowariker. Aamir Khan, who was also the producer for the film, stars with Gracy Singh in the lead roles; British actors Rachel Shelley and Paul Blackthorne play the supporting roles...

director Ashutosh Gowariker’s sumptuous period epic has all the ingredients of a Cecil B. DeMille
Cecil B. DeMille
Cecil Blount DeMille was an American film director and Academy Award-winning film producer in both silent and sound films. He was renowned for the flamboyance and showmanship of his movies...

 entertainer [...] The film ends with a passionate plea for tolerance of all religions in India, a resonant message for modern India." Rajeev Masand
Rajeev Masand
Rajeev Masand is an Indian film critic and entertainment reporter for CNN-IBN. Masand started his career as an entertainment correspondent at the young age of 16...

 of CNN-IBN also gave the film four out of five stars commenting: "I've never felt this way about any other film, but sitting there in my seat watching Jodhaa Akbar, I felt privileged as a moviegoer. Privileged that such a film had been made, and privileged that it had been made in our times so we can form our own opinions of the film rather than adopt the opinions of previous generations, which we invariably must when looking at older classics." Tajpal Rathore of the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...

 gave the film four out of five stars, noting that, "although the 16th-century love story upon which its based might be long forgotten, this endearing treatment sears into the memory through sheer size and scale alone [...] Don't let the running time put you off watching this unashamedly epic tale."

Nikhat Kazmi of The Times of India
The Times of India
The Times of India is an Indian English-language daily newspaper. TOI has the largest circulation among all English-language newspaper in the world, across all formats . It is owned and managed by Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd...

gave the film three stars, stating that, "Jodhaa Akbar works only because its heart is in the right place. The film talks about a love that transcends all barriers -- gender, religion, culture -- and dreams of an India where secularism and tolerance are the twin towers that should never ever crumble. And Akbar and Jodhaa are the alluring exponents of this dream." Kazmi also suggests that "if you are willing to shed off all the trappings of history, only then will Jodhaa Akbar work for you." While suggesting that the film is "too long" and that it is "not a history lesson," Rachel Saltz of The New York Times
The New York Times
The New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...

also notes, "in choosing to tell the tale of this emperor and a Muslim-Hindu love story, Mr. Gowariker makes a clear point. As Akbar says, 'Respect for each other’s religion will enrich Hindustan.' " Khalid Mohammed
Khalid Mohammed
Khalid Mohamed is an Indian journalist, editor, film critic, screenwriter and film director. He formerly worked for the Hindustan Times and was the lead editor for Filmfare magazine...

 of the Hindustan Times
Hindustan Times
Hindustan Times is an Indian English-language daily newspaper founded in 1924 with roots in the Indian independence movement of the period ....

,
gave the film 2 stars. He suggests that, "like it or not Ashutosh Gowariker, who is normally a fine and conscientious director, has miscalculated the technical logistics and emotional content of a period piece. Crucial detailing isn’t the virtue here."

Soundtrack

The acclaimed score and soundtrack of the film was composed by A. R. Rahman
A. R. Rahman
Allah Rakha Rahman is an Indian composer, singer-songwriter, record producer, musician, and philanthropist. Described as the world's most prominent and prolific film composer by Time, his works are notable for integrating eastern classical music with electronic music sounds, world music genres and...

, making his third collaboration with Ashutosh Gowariker after Lagaan
Lagaan
Lagaan is a 2001 Bollywood sports film written and directed by Ashutosh Gowariker. Aamir Khan, who was also the producer for the film, stars with Gracy Singh in the lead roles; British actors Rachel Shelley and Paul Blackthorne play the supporting roles...

, and Swades
Swades
Swades: We, the People is a 2004 Indian film written, produced and directed by Ashutosh Gowariker. The film stars Shahrukh Khan and debutante Gayatri Joshi...

. The official soundtrack contains five songs and two instrumentals. Rahman scored the prewritten lyrics by Javed Akhtar
Javed Akhtar
Javed Akhtar is a poet, lyricist and scriptwriter from India. Some of his most successful work was done in the late 1970s and 1980s with Salim Khan as half of the script-writing duo credited as Salim-Javed...

, except for the songs "Khwaja Mere Khwaja" and "Azeem-O-Shaan Shahenshah". The former was written by Kashif while the latter was by Javed Akthar himself. The music was released on 9 January 2008 and the CDs were out by 18 January. The soundtrack album was met with very positive reviews, with most of the reviewers hailing the album a magnum opus by Rahman. Aakash Gandhi of Planet Bollywood reviewed the album saying "Jodhaa Akbar compositions are magical, spectacular, invigorating and above all a wholesome experience you rarely get in soundtracks these days. When you cannot pick a favorite you know the benchmark has been set consistently high. Indian music has just added another soundtrack to its eternal treasure. I am sure you will join me in congratulating A.R. Rahman on his latest Magnus Opus ."

Music awards

The film emerged out as the biggest winner in many music awards. However in the best music direction category, it lost many mainly to Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na, composed by Rahman himself. The fine background score and soundtrack were also nominated in numerous categories.

Mirchi Music Awards
  • Song Of The Year - "Jashn-e-Bahara"
  • Male Vocalist Of The Year - Javed Ali for "Jashn-e-Bahara"
  • Female Vocalist Of The Year - Bela Shende for "Manmohana"
  • Lyricist Of The Year - Javed Akhtar for "Jashn-e-Bahara"
  • Technical Award For Film Background Score - A. R. Rahman
    A. R. Rahman
    Allah Rakha Rahman is an Indian composer, singer-songwriter, record producer, musician, and philanthropist. Described as the world's most prominent and prolific film composer by Time, his works are notable for integrating eastern classical music with electronic music sounds, world music genres and...

  • Technical Award For Song Mixing - H. Sridhar
    H. Sridhar
    H. Sridhar, was a sound engineer from India and known for his work with the Indian Musician A R Rahman.Sridhar was the Chief Audio Engineer at Media Artists. A mathematics graduate, with keen interest in electronics and formal music training, he started a professional sound engineering career in...

  • Technical Award For Programming and Arranging - TR Krishna Chetan for "Jashn-e-Bahara"


Others
  • Filmfare Best Background Score
    Filmfare Best Background Score
    The Filmfare Best Background Score is given by the Filmfare magazine as part of its annual Filmfare Awards for Hindi films.Although the awards started in 1953, the best sound category was not introduced until 1997.-Awards:...

     - A. R. Rahman
  • Filmfare Best Lyricist Award
    Filmfare Best Lyricist Award
    The Filmfare Lyricist Award is given by the Filmfare magazine as part of its annual Filmfare Awards for Hindi films.The awards were first given in 1953, however the Award for the best lyricist was first given in 1958.-Superlatives:...

     - Javed Akthar
  • Star Screen Award for Best Background Music - A. R. Rahman
  • Star Screen Award for Best Choreographer - Raju Khan for "Khwaja Mere Khwaja"
  • IIFA Best Music Director Award
    IIFA Best Music Director Award
    The IIFA Best Music Director Award is chosen by the viewers and the winner is announced at the actual ceremony.The winners are listed below: A.R.Rahman has the most awards with 6 wins.- See also :* IIFA Awards* Bollywood* Cinema of India...

     - A. R. Rahman
  • IIFA Best Lyricist Award
    IIFA Best Lyricist Award
    The IIFA Best Lyricist Award is chosen by the viewers and the winner is announced at the actual ceremony.The award is given in the current year but the winner is awarded for the previous year.Javed Akhtar has the most wins with 6 awards....

     - Javed Akthar
  • IIFA Best Male Playback Award
    IIFA Best Male Playback Award
    The IIFA Best Male Playback Award is chosen by the viewers and the winner is announced at the ceremony.The winners are listed below:-...

     - Javed Ali for "Jashn-e-Bahara"
  • IIFA Best Background Score
    IIFA Best Background Score
    The IIFA Best Background Scoreis a technical award chosen ahead of the ceremonies.The winners are listed below:-...

     - A. R. Rahman
  • V Shantaram Award for Best Music - A. R. Rahman

Filmfare Awards

  • Won Best Film - Ronnie Screwvala
    Ronnie Screwvala
    Ronnie Screwvala is an Indian film producer and CEO and founder chairman of which recently partnered with Walt Disney, Fox Searchlight, Sony and Will Smith's Overbrook Entertainment production company, expanding its global reach.In September 2008, he was named amongst, Esquires List of the 75...

     and Ashutosh Gowariker
    Ashutosh Gowariker
    Ashutosh Gowariker is an Indian film director, actor, writer and producer. He is known for directing the films Lagaan , Swades , Jodhaa Akbar , What's Your Raashee and Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey...

  • Won Best Director
    Filmfare Best Director Award
    The Filmfare Best Director Award is one of the main awards presented given by the annual Filmfare Awards to recognise directors working in the Hindi film Industry. It was first presented in 1954 in the inaugural year.-Superlatives:...

    - Ashutosh Gowariker
    Ashutosh Gowariker
    Ashutosh Gowariker is an Indian film director, actor, writer and producer. He is known for directing the films Lagaan , Swades , Jodhaa Akbar , What's Your Raashee and Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey...

  • Won Best Actor
    Filmfare Best Actor Award
    The Filmfare Award for Best Actor is given by Filmfare as part of its annual Filmfare Awards for Hindi films, to recognise a male actor who has delivered an outstanding performance in a leading role. The award was first given in 1954....

    - Hrithik Roshan
    Hrithik Roshan
    Hrithik Roshan is an Indian actor who appears in Bollywood films.After having appeared in films as a child actor in the 1980s, Roshan made his film debut in a leading role in Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai for which Roshan earned his Filmfare Awards for Best Actor and Best Male Debut...

  • Won Best Lyricist
    Filmfare Best Lyricist Award
    The Filmfare Lyricist Award is given by the Filmfare magazine as part of its annual Filmfare Awards for Hindi films.The awards were first given in 1953, however the Award for the best lyricist was first given in 1958.-Superlatives:...

     - Javed Akhtar
    Javed Akhtar
    Javed Akhtar is a poet, lyricist and scriptwriter from India. Some of his most successful work was done in the late 1970s and 1980s with Salim Khan as half of the script-writing duo credited as Salim-Javed...

  • Won Best Background Score
    Filmfare Best Background Score
    The Filmfare Best Background Score is given by the Filmfare magazine as part of its annual Filmfare Awards for Hindi films.Although the awards started in 1953, the best sound category was not introduced until 1997.-Awards:...

     - A. R. Rahman
    A. R. Rahman
    Allah Rakha Rahman is an Indian composer, singer-songwriter, record producer, musician, and philanthropist. Described as the world's most prominent and prolific film composer by Time, his works are notable for integrating eastern classical music with electronic music sounds, world music genres and...


Star Screen Awards

  • Best Film - Ronnie Screwvala
    Ronnie Screwvala
    Ronnie Screwvala is an Indian film producer and CEO and founder chairman of which recently partnered with Walt Disney, Fox Searchlight, Sony and Will Smith's Overbrook Entertainment production company, expanding its global reach.In September 2008, he was named amongst, Esquires List of the 75...

     and Ashutosh Gowariker
    Ashutosh Gowariker
    Ashutosh Gowariker is an Indian film director, actor, writer and producer. He is known for directing the films Lagaan , Swades , Jodhaa Akbar , What's Your Raashee and Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey...

  • Best Actor - Hrithik Roshan
    Hrithik Roshan
    Hrithik Roshan is an Indian actor who appears in Bollywood films.After having appeared in films as a child actor in the 1980s, Roshan made his film debut in a leading role in Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai for which Roshan earned his Filmfare Awards for Best Actor and Best Male Debut...

  • Best Background Music - A. R. Rahman
    A. R. Rahman
    Allah Rakha Rahman is an Indian composer, singer-songwriter, record producer, musician, and philanthropist. Described as the world's most prominent and prolific film composer by Time, his works are notable for integrating eastern classical music with electronic music sounds, world music genres and...

  • Best Choreographer - Raju Khan for "Khwaja Mere Khwaja"
  • Best Director - Ashutosh Gowarikar
  • Most Popular Actress
    Star Screen Award for Best Actress (Popular Choice)
    The Star Screen Award for Best Actress - Popular Choice has been introduced in 2009 during the Star Screen Awards. Unlike the Star Screen Award for Best Actress which is chosen by the jury, this trophy is given by the viewers to the actress whose performance is judged the most popular. Aishwarya...

    - Aishwarya Rai Bachchan
    Aishwarya Rai
    Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is an Indian film actress. She worked as a model before starting her acting career, and ultimately won the Miss World pageant in 1994...

  • Best Actress - Aishwarya Rai Bachchan
    Aishwarya Rai
    Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is an Indian film actress. She worked as a model before starting her acting career, and ultimately won the Miss World pageant in 1994...

  • Best Action - Ravi Dewan
  • Best Actor in a Negative Role - Ila Arun
    Ila Arun
    Ila Arun is a popular Indian actress, TV personality and a Rajasthani folk/folk-pop singer with a unique, husky voice and a penchant for folk-pop fusion. Her daughter is Ishita Arun.-Early life:She was born and brought up in the state capital of Jaipur...

  • Best Art Direction - Nitin Chandrakant Desai
  • Best Lyrics
    Star Screen Award for Best Lyricist
    The Star Screen Award for Best Lyricist is a Star Screen Award given annually in January by a panel of distinguished judges.-Winner:...

     - Kashif
    Kashif
    Kashif is an Arabic word, commonly used as a male given name in the Muslim world. Its meaning is close to the English words 'revealer', 'discoverer', 'uncoverer' or 'pioneer'....

     for "Khwaja Mere Khwaja"
  • Best Music - A. R. Rahman
    A. R. Rahman
    Allah Rakha Rahman is an Indian composer, singer-songwriter, record producer, musician, and philanthropist. Described as the world's most prominent and prolific film composer by Time, his works are notable for integrating eastern classical music with electronic music sounds, world music genres and...

  • Best Male Playback Singer - A. R. Rahman
    A. R. Rahman
    Allah Rakha Rahman is an Indian composer, singer-songwriter, record producer, musician, and philanthropist. Described as the world's most prominent and prolific film composer by Time, his works are notable for integrating eastern classical music with electronic music sounds, world music genres and...

     for "Khwaja Mere Khwaja"
  • Best Special Effects - Pankaj Khandpur

Stardust Awards

  • Won, Star of the year - Hrithik Roshan
    Hrithik Roshan
    Hrithik Roshan is an Indian actor who appears in Bollywood films.After having appeared in films as a child actor in the 1980s, Roshan made his film debut in a leading role in Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai for which Roshan earned his Filmfare Awards for Best Actor and Best Male Debut...

  • Won, Dream director - Ashutosh Gowariker
    Ashutosh Gowariker
    Ashutosh Gowariker is an Indian film director, actor, writer and producer. He is known for directing the films Lagaan , Swades , Jodhaa Akbar , What's Your Raashee and Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey...

  • Won, The New Menace - Nikitin Dheer

IIFA Awards

  • Best Picture
    IIFA Best Movie Award
    The IIFA Best Movie Award is chosen via a worldwide poll and the winner is announced at the ceremony.The winners are listed below:...

  • Best Director
    IIFA Best Director Award
    The IIFA Best Director Award is chosen by the viewers and the winner is announced at the ceremony. The nominations for the category are given by the film fraternity.Sanjay Leela Bhansali has the most wins with 3 awards.The winners are listed below:-...

  • Best Actor
    IIFA Best Actor Award
    The IIFA Best Actor award is given annually by the International Indian Film Academy. The recipient is chosen by viewers and the winner is announced at the ceremony....

  • Best Music Director
    IIFA Best Music Director Award
    The IIFA Best Music Director Award is chosen by the viewers and the winner is announced at the actual ceremony.The winners are listed below: A.R.Rahman has the most awards with 6 wins.- See also :* IIFA Awards* Bollywood* Cinema of India...

  • Best Lyricist
    IIFA Best Lyricist Award
    The IIFA Best Lyricist Award is chosen by the viewers and the winner is announced at the actual ceremony.The award is given in the current year but the winner is awarded for the previous year.Javed Akhtar has the most wins with 6 awards....

  • Best Male Playback
    IIFA Best Male Playback Award
    The IIFA Best Male Playback Award is chosen by the viewers and the winner is announced at the ceremony.The winners are listed below:-...

  • Best Art Direction
  • Best Background Score
    IIFA Best Background Score
    The IIFA Best Background Scoreis a technical award chosen ahead of the ceremonies.The winners are listed below:-...

  • Best Costume Design
  • Best Editing
  • Best Makeup

V Shantaram Awards

  • Won, Best Director Bronze Award - Ashutosh Gowariker
    Ashutosh Gowariker
    Ashutosh Gowariker is an Indian film director, actor, writer and producer. He is known for directing the films Lagaan , Swades , Jodhaa Akbar , What's Your Raashee and Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey...

  • Won, Best Actress - Aishwarya Rai
    Aishwarya Rai
    Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is an Indian film actress. She worked as a model before starting her acting career, and ultimately won the Miss World pageant in 1994...

  • Won, Best Music - A. R. Rahman
    A. R. Rahman
    Allah Rakha Rahman is an Indian composer, singer-songwriter, record producer, musician, and philanthropist. Described as the world's most prominent and prolific film composer by Time, his works are notable for integrating eastern classical music with electronic music sounds, world music genres and...


International

Golden Minbar International Film Festival of Muslim Cinema (Kazan
Kazan
Kazan is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Tatarstan, Russia. With a population of 1,143,546 , it is the eighth most populous city in Russia. Kazan lies at the confluence of the Volga and Kazanka Rivers in European Russia. In April 2009, the Russian Patent Office granted Kazan the...

, Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...

)
  • Won, Best Film (Grand Prix) - Ashutosh Gowarikar
  • Won, Best Actor Award - Hrithik Roshan
    Hrithik Roshan
    Hrithik Roshan is an Indian actor who appears in Bollywood films.After having appeared in films as a child actor in the 1980s, Roshan made his film debut in a leading role in Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai for which Roshan earned his Filmfare Awards for Best Actor and Best Male Debut...



32nd São Paulo International Film Festival
São Paulo International Film Festival
The São Paulo International Film Festival is a film festival held annually in São Paulo, Brazil since 1976. In 2004 Iranian director Abbas Kiarostami was a member of the jury.-International Jury Award:*2001: The New Country ...

 (Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...

, South America
South America
South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...

)
  • Won, Audience Award for Best Foreign Language Film - Ashutosh Gowarikar


Asia Pacific Screen Awards
Asia Pacific Screen Awards
The Asia Pacific Screen Awards is an international cultural initiative of the State Government of Queensland, Australia, through Events Queensland, to honour and promote the films, actors, directors, and cultures of Asia-Pacific to a global audience and to realise the objectives of UNESCO to...

  • Nominated, Achievement in Cinematography - Kiiran Deohans


3rd Asian Film Awards
3rd Asian Film Awards
The 3rd Asian Film Awards was given in a ceremony on 23 March 2009 as part of the Hong Kong International Film Festival.-Best Film:*Winner: Tokyo Sonata **Forever Enthralled...

  • Nominated, Best Production Designer - Nitin Chandrakant Desai
  • Nominated, Best Composer - A. R. Rahman
    A. R. Rahman
    Allah Rakha Rahman is an Indian composer, singer-songwriter, record producer, musician, and philanthropist. Described as the world's most prominent and prolific film composer by Time, his works are notable for integrating eastern classical music with electronic music sounds, world music genres and...


External links

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