Jodhaa Akbar

A period film set in sixteenth century India. Akbar takes the throne young. His father is dead and a regent runs the state, keeping him under tutelage. He takes the government into his own hands. He removes the regent and expansion begins. An agreement is made with a province. The raja of Amber gives his daughter to seal the alliance. Jodhaa does not consent. She sets a condition; she will not change her religion and will have her own temple inside the palace. Akbar accepts. From there the film is a story of getting acquainted. Two strangers in the same palace, a garden, a kitchen, a lesson with a sword, and long patience. There is opposition at court. Both religious circles and family members are against the marriage, and intrigue is set in motion. There is also a question of tax. Akbar abolishes a levy on non-Muslims, and that decision is the narrative's political axis. What the narrative is interested in is not love but consent: its idea is that a union can only be built if the other side is allowed to remain itself. The scale is large. Palace sets, crowded battle scenes, costumes and musical numbers mark a large production. The running time is long. The film approaches three and a half hours and the middle section moves heavily. The production caused argument in India. Its historical accuracy was questioned and screenings were blocked in some states. Hrithik Roshan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Sonu Sood are in the cast. Ashutosh Gowariker directed and co-wrote. Who it is for: anyone who likes historical production at scale and Indian musicals. Who it is not for: anyone expecting historical accuracy; the narrative is largely invented and the length is too much for many viewers.