'Jodhaa Akbar' release postponed yet again!

The release of Ashutosh Gowarikar's period drama Jodhaa Akbar has been pushed back for the third time, from February 24 to some time in April, because Gowarikar is down with a bad back and has been advised two months of bed rest.

The film was originally slotted to hit the marquee on October 23, 2007 but its release date was pushed back to January 25 to absorb a schedule overrun during filming.

Delays in post production of the film and composition of its musical score by AR Rahman led to the release date being pushed back for the second time to February 24.

At the time of the second postponement it was reported that Gowarikar has been advised 3 weeks bed rest. It is now being reported that he could be off work for 2 months.

Ashutosh laments his bad back saying, "I am sad that this had to happen in the thick of post production; it is unfortunate, but it has to be dealt with."

One of the challenges being faced in post production is the length of the film. There is enough footage for a five-and-a-half hour run and all of it has been shot at considerable cost and labor.

Ashutosh Gowariker and Hrithik Roshan are known to have put their heart and soul into the making of the film and trimming it down to 3 hours will be heart wrenching for them.

According to HT, the repeated delays are causing discontent amongst cast and crew members because their work engagement is being extended over longer periods than originally envisaged without enhanced compensation.

Musical score for the film is scheduled to be released on January 9 under film producer UTV's new record label UTV Music.

Production cost for the film is believed to have gone well past the Rs 50 crore mark, raising hackles with UTV who are bankrolling much of the project.