All in all a very Disappointing movie.I went for this movie with very high expectations having really liked Mr Gowariker's two previous ventures,"Swades and Lagaan".Also I had read Mr Nahta's review on this site where he had highly recommended this movie.I thought Mr Gowariker was one of those directors who was capable of giving a good,sensible treatment to one of India's finest rulers,unfortunately he could not resist turning it into a Beautiful Canvas with very little Substance.
When you talk about Jodha-Akbar,it makes sense to explore their relationship in greater details,Their Differences,Their Attitudes and how they bonded.Unfortunately ,the chemistry between the lead pair did not allow it.
Akbar was one of the first rulers of India to develop Secularism as a State Policy and if the Director would have explored this theme to the fullest he would have given a just tribute to a great ruler.
He should also have explored the Palace Intrigue in greater Details-especially the Scheming and Devious Maha Manga (Ila Arun) should have been given more time to do more Damage.
The Fight scenes and Sword Fights were strictly average Fare-I have seen better Sword Fights on Star Plus's "Prithvi Raj Chauhan",even the Elephant taming scene was average at best not"Hair-Raising Fare).
Personally a better option for Mr Gowariker would have been to Split the movie into Two parts ,each of 2 and a Half Hours each and released within a month of each other,to give adequate justice to this Subject.If he would have done this,he would have been regarded as a brave man.
In the bottom-line will this movie recover its Investment-Yes,will it become a Blockbuster-Most Definitely Not.Will a Movie Fan Keep this movie in his DVD Collection at home????Absolutely Not.
Its a Use and Throw movie for our Disposable Times.