Jodha Akbar - Ashutosh proves himself once again with his New Age Epic and gives a new dimension to the word 'GRANDEUR' in Indian Cinema. The very first thing I suggest is that don't consider it as an Historical movie, rather see it as a fiction and keep aside all the controversies related with Jodha, her actual name and her relationship with Akbar. The second thing I would like to say that as most of the people took it as a miscast movie, "its not". The casting is just perfect and after watching it you cannot consider any other actor portraying the role of Akbar among the young generation so brilliantly except Hrithik.

Hrithik is again at his best and has done full justice with his character. Especially he is incomparable in the scenes where he shows his anger. Equally impressive is Aishwarya as Jodha and she provides all the dignity and beauty needed by her character. Here I would like to add that the promos of the film are only 10% of its actual worth, so don't be mislead by them. It is purely a love story in the background of ruling Mughals & their conflicts with Rajputs.

There are many scenes which are among the main highlights of the film which include : 1. Hrithik taming a Wild Elephant. 2. Sufi Dance by Hrithik in the song "Khwaja Mere Khwaja." 3. Bhajan Chanting being heard in a Mughal Emperor's Darbar. 4. The Sequence of Akbar Jodha with Sindoor. 5. Death Sentence to Adam (Akbar's cousin brother) 6. And the Man to Man fight sequence in the Climax.

The movie starts slowly and is less impressive at the start. It starts picking up after 40 min and then keeps growing on the viewer. By the time it ends you don't seem to mind its more than 3 hours duration, but still it could be trimmed at the start and also could do without a couple of songs. The second half is surely more engrossing than the first.

A. R. Rahman is excellent with his background score but is less impressive in the song department with only two enjoyable tracks "Azeemo-Shan Shehenshah" and "Khwaja Mere Khwaja". The Sufi Qawwali has got a mystic touch given by the maestro which takes you to a trance. Moreover, you feel heavy influence of western instruments in the score whereas the film is a period drama. So they could have been replaced by ethnic Indian instruments according to the time period of the story. The Camera-work and Art Direction are among the best and they impress to a great extent.

The entire star cast excels and after the lead pair, among the top are Sonu Sood & Nikitin Dheer . The surprise act is by Mrs. Poonam Sinha as Akbar's mother. The voice over of Amitabh Bachhan is also just apt for the grand project. Hrithik seems to be born for the role and Aishwarya looks as an eternal beauty with her majestically designed costumes and jewellery.

Ashutosh Gowariker makes a statement with this project and proves that he has got the vision to think of Hrithik as Akbar and also the capability of making an Epic movie with this grandeur. He also takes utmost care of the Hindu Muslim thought involved in the story. Still the Hinduism factor is somehow given more mileage in the movie. The climax sequences with endless plains and desert in the background reminded me of "Lawrence of Arabia" which is indeed a compliment for Ashutosh and his team.

To sum up, it's a movie to be enjoyed in its grandness on theaters only and for the brilliant performances of Hrithik and Aishwarya. This kind of a grand movie will not be there in many coming years, so don't waste the opportunity by watching it on small screens. And also don't miss it just taking it as a historical movie, there may be mixed reviews but you will surely enjoy it.