Yes, I caught a little TV last night. A little less sleep as well! Was actually sitting down to watch my favourite shows on Star - Seinfeld & Friends, when I saw Ashutosh Gowarikar on the telly. I stopped, wondering how it had got this far. Very interesting actually. There was a panel that comprised film folk (Gowarikar, Farooque Shaikh, Sudhir Mishra, a fairly pansy Komal Nahata & another film critic), a lady historian, and the root cause of all the trouble in Rajasthan a certain Mr. karni (described as the patron(!) of the karni sena).
Some excerpts:
karni was ranting about his problem actually being with the depiction of Jodha Bai as Akbar’s wife when she was actually his daughter in law. He found that offensive & disparaging to the Rajputs. I wonder if that was actually the motivation behind it, but if it was I thought fair point. Until I heard Nahata speak. Nahata said that the movie had been in the making for 2 years, that the name had been in the offing for 5 months before the release of the movie. Why did the karni sena have to wait for the release to protest? Hmmm… Interesting.
Nahata also pointed out that none of the protests in Rajasthan were peaceful requests to cinema owners. He rattled off names & locations of various cinemas in Rajasthan & Madhya Pradhesh where the owners have said that they are scared as they’ve been told politely that their cinemas will be burned down if they screen the film. At this point Farooque Shaikh (ever the gentleman) asked whether this was a lawful form of protest. Why could they not go through the Indian Legal system, the courts instead of protesting in such barbaric ways?
The anchor (can’t seem to recall his name) pointed out that the legal system takes about 30 years to resolve a case & by that time the movie will have influenced crores of people. To which Farooque quietly said something to this effect, “If Rajput history hasn’t been hurt in 700 years, what difference could another few years possibly make?”! Hmmm… Very Interesting.
Mr. karni was making some noises in totally unintelligible English about the future possibility of Indira Gandhi being potrayed as Gandhiji’s daughter. The anchor then asked Ashutosh if he felt that he had an additional responsibility since he was making a movie on historical figures. Ashutosh (& the historian lady) agreed. Ashutosh said that he had spoken to the current Raja & Rani of the Kachchawa dynasty of Jaipur before he made the film & as part of his research, as Jodha belonged to their family. He stated that he had narrated his script to them & that they’d given him the go ahead with both the depiction of Rajputs in the film AND the name Jodha (as that was what they too believed her name to be, from among the plethora of names she is referred to by historians)! I’m assuming the right-wing brigade is now going to label this royal family of Jaipur, traitors & pseudo-hindus (HOW I ABHOR that term!)
At this point some of the film folk asked how many no-objection certificates should a film-maker obtain? In response to a later suggestion by an audience member, the historian lady also said that she “didn’t think it was practical”. A film-maker approaches the censor board for a certificate. Nowadays they apparently approach the animal welfare board for a certificate too. Ashutosh does his research very well, consulting Jodha’s descendants besides a variety of historians, yet he must strive for another few NOC’s! Farooque (by now the legal eagle) said that the right way of lodging a protest is to ask the censor board to step into court. Let them fight the case, why should the film-maker be constantly bothered?
A valid question came from the anchor again: What if someone makes a film deliberately tampering with history? Would the filmy panel still back his creative license?
Sudhir Mishra then gave the example of the despicable mee nathuram godse boltoay. He said that to him Gandhiji was the greatest son that India produced. He said that to him the very idea of the aforementioned (can’t bring myself to type out that name again!) play is anathema. He said he “abhors” it. Yet he will stand up for the playwright’s right to write & show it. This is the “bleddy” problem with moderates I think!
A few things that I’d like to say here:
What is the function of a sena? Debate? Obviously not. Then why are they being given an ear to?
I’ve said this here as well & I’m saying it again. One thing that these jokers don’t realise is that their protests are in vain. They’ve blown this thing out of proportion. Ashutosh is suddenly on prime-time television, talking about his movie. He’s not spending a rupee on promoting it on movie & music channels. Instead he’s part of a panel discussion to discuss his movie! WOW! The added curiosity will send more people to the cinemas. Despite the movie playing only 3 shows instead of 4, despite it not being shown in Rajasthan & now in MP (both despicable BJP states), the movie has made almost the same amount of money as the other box-office winner. Add two more states & it will easily overtake that crappy piece of film-making!
Instead, if they’d protested quietly, like the Opus Dei did to The Da Vinci Code, people wouldn’t have branded them as barbarians & would’ve heard their voice. The Opus Dei, after the movie had run it’s course, was quietly featured in the Indian Express & all doubts were dispelled about it’s beliefs. No harm done to them. But like I’ve said before, the Christian community in India is the model of good behaviour. Now I’ll be called everything from a “pseudo” (UTTERLY LAUGHABLE TERM, NEED A NEW NAME!) to a missionary to a church-agent! :-D
Anyway, over to the awam…
Courtesy: Mutiny.in
Showing posts with label Rajasthan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Rajasthan. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Box Office: Jodha Akbar flops in large parts of India
Expected to rewrite box office history, Jodha Akbar at this point is hoping to not itself become history too soon at the box offices around the country. Driven physically out of Rajasthan, the film's commercial prospects elsewhere where it's allowed to screen vary from good in metros like Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Bangalore; to so so (Indore, Kolkata), to poor across Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Chattisgarh and Gujrat where it has flopped outright.
The much hyped, mega budget magnum opus was expected to shatter opening records around the nation by its makers, but that is not happening. In fact in many small centers the Hrithik Roshan-Aishwarya Rai starrer opened to shockingly dismal 25% response and went downhill.
The film also witnessed mass attacks in places like Patna, Meerut, Gurgaon, Ahmedabad, leading to 0 collections; and as it is the box office was going well below expectations there.
Jodhaa Akbar however has been released on around 92 prints in Mumbai, which is very high. And that print saturation will help it post some big numbers in first week in Mumbai and few other places, as it is posting 40% collection during weekdays after a 80% weekend. But even there it is posting great collections in some multiplexes and dismal collections at others. The response is decidedly ambivalent even where it is generally positive and that will keep it from scaling heights it was hoping for.
Overseas, as reported first exclusively on IBOS over the weekend, the film has opened well.
However for across India, relative to cost and expectations, the mega budget Jodha Akbar looks to be leaning more towards also-rans of history not making box office history as week 1 nears its end.
Courtesy: Ibosnetwork.com
The much hyped, mega budget magnum opus was expected to shatter opening records around the nation by its makers, but that is not happening. In fact in many small centers the Hrithik Roshan-Aishwarya Rai starrer opened to shockingly dismal 25% response and went downhill.
The film also witnessed mass attacks in places like Patna, Meerut, Gurgaon, Ahmedabad, leading to 0 collections; and as it is the box office was going well below expectations there.
Jodhaa Akbar however has been released on around 92 prints in Mumbai, which is very high. And that print saturation will help it post some big numbers in first week in Mumbai and few other places, as it is posting 40% collection during weekdays after a 80% weekend. But even there it is posting great collections in some multiplexes and dismal collections at others. The response is decidedly ambivalent even where it is generally positive and that will keep it from scaling heights it was hoping for.
Overseas, as reported first exclusively on IBOS over the weekend, the film has opened well.
However for across India, relative to cost and expectations, the mega budget Jodha Akbar looks to be leaning more towards also-rans of history not making box office history as week 1 nears its end.
Courtesy: Ibosnetwork.com
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Box Office: Jodha Akbar opens well below expectations in India
If controversies are expected to boost a film's initial, that hasn't happened in regards to the advance booking of Jodha Akbar.
Though the film is expected to open better overseas, the Friday advance opening of 'biggest film of the year' in India is well below expectations. Chennai is at 85% which is good but not recordbreaking. Delhi is hovering around 65%. Bombay is trailing at 60% and Calcutta follows even tad below. Indore is around the 60% mark. Centers across Rajasthan are of course 0% because they aren't even letting the movie open there. The figures are mostly off single screen theaters as most multiplex chains nationally have bypassed the film till now.
The single screens were expected to be entirely sold out and yet they are only opening at just about above average/average. So for a film being mounted on a historic scale and budget, starring Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai, and billed on par with Mughaleazam by critics in reviews, the box office initial has come as a shocker.
Nationally, the film is not releasing in hundreds of theaters due to various issues with the theater chains, and that has not augured well for it either with almost 50% of its prints unable to earn. It will definitely impact opening week collections now, as will the fact of state of Rajasthan blocking the film out entirely. Right now the previously defiant filmmakers are desperately hoping the ban on Jodhaa Akbar doesn't cross over into other states of India.
Courtesy: Ibosnetwork.com
Though the film is expected to open better overseas, the Friday advance opening of 'biggest film of the year' in India is well below expectations. Chennai is at 85% which is good but not recordbreaking. Delhi is hovering around 65%. Bombay is trailing at 60% and Calcutta follows even tad below. Indore is around the 60% mark. Centers across Rajasthan are of course 0% because they aren't even letting the movie open there. The figures are mostly off single screen theaters as most multiplex chains nationally have bypassed the film till now.
The single screens were expected to be entirely sold out and yet they are only opening at just about above average/average. So for a film being mounted on a historic scale and budget, starring Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai, and billed on par with Mughaleazam by critics in reviews, the box office initial has come as a shocker.
Nationally, the film is not releasing in hundreds of theaters due to various issues with the theater chains, and that has not augured well for it either with almost 50% of its prints unable to earn. It will definitely impact opening week collections now, as will the fact of state of Rajasthan blocking the film out entirely. Right now the previously defiant filmmakers are desperately hoping the ban on Jodhaa Akbar doesn't cross over into other states of India.
Courtesy: Ibosnetwork.com
'Akbar' pleads for security from getting taken down
As Jodha Akbar (Hrithik Roshan - Aishwarya Rai) is about to release, tensions are high for the film's viewers' safety in the state of Rajasthan and possibly elsewhere.
So UTV and Ronnie Screwvala have now filed an appeal to the court of Jaipur through a judge Mohammad Rafiq, to help Jodha Akbar succeed its way in Rajasthan.
The issue however is beyond the judge and about security to be provided by the BJP Rajasthan government. And it is a dicey one in Rajasthan where elections are due soon, as the BJP government can not afford to alienate its Rajasthan constituency by being seen as providing cover to Jodha Akbar.
Several Hindu organizations, claiming the film to be grossly distortive and politically motivated, have threatened to take to the streets if Jodha Akbar was brought to Rajasthan.
However in many parts, theaters are alleged to have refused Jodhaa Akbar on their own, and the rest that are screening it are doing so under threat of Hindu Rajput attacks.
Courtesy: Ibosnetwork.com
So UTV and Ronnie Screwvala have now filed an appeal to the court of Jaipur through a judge Mohammad Rafiq, to help Jodha Akbar succeed its way in Rajasthan.
The issue however is beyond the judge and about security to be provided by the BJP Rajasthan government. And it is a dicey one in Rajasthan where elections are due soon, as the BJP government can not afford to alienate its Rajasthan constituency by being seen as providing cover to Jodha Akbar.
Several Hindu organizations, claiming the film to be grossly distortive and politically motivated, have threatened to take to the streets if Jodha Akbar was brought to Rajasthan.
However in many parts, theaters are alleged to have refused Jodhaa Akbar on their own, and the rest that are screening it are doing so under threat of Hindu Rajput attacks.
Courtesy: Ibosnetwork.com
Jodhaa Akbar not released in Rajasthan
Two long years in the making, with controversy hounding it, Jodha Akbar finally hit screens on Friday, and as per early reports it seems to be well worth the wait.
Gowarikar's magnum opus has not released in Rajasthan, after protests by some Rajput groups.
Cinema hall owners in Rajasthan were still unsure till Thursday about screening the movie amid aggressive protests.
Activists of the Karni Sena wrote letters in blood against the film's release and submitted it to theatre owners while Bollywood distributers were trying to pursuade them to call off their stir at the last minute.
Karni Sena patron Lokendra Kalvi said they would not stop the film but the Vasundhara Raje government would be held ''resposible'' if any untoward incidents occurred.
''The Rajputs cannot tolerate any distortion of historical facts, especially relations between the Mughal emporor Akbar and Jodhabai,'' he told reporters.
Anil Thadani, husband of actress Raveena Tandon who is also a well-known distributer for Mumbai territory, was holding talks with the Karni Sena.
Meanwhile, the Home Department has decided not to ban the Gowarikar's film and directed that law and order be maintained around all theatres of the state, Jaipur District Collector Khil Arora said.
The Rajasthan High Court had on Wednesday dismissed a petition seeking restraining orders against leaders of Rajput Sabha and Karni Sena but asked the government to ensure law and order
Courtesy: Ndtv.com
Gowarikar's magnum opus has not released in Rajasthan, after protests by some Rajput groups.
Cinema hall owners in Rajasthan were still unsure till Thursday about screening the movie amid aggressive protests.
Activists of the Karni Sena wrote letters in blood against the film's release and submitted it to theatre owners while Bollywood distributers were trying to pursuade them to call off their stir at the last minute.
Karni Sena patron Lokendra Kalvi said they would not stop the film but the Vasundhara Raje government would be held ''resposible'' if any untoward incidents occurred.
''The Rajputs cannot tolerate any distortion of historical facts, especially relations between the Mughal emporor Akbar and Jodhabai,'' he told reporters.
Anil Thadani, husband of actress Raveena Tandon who is also a well-known distributer for Mumbai territory, was holding talks with the Karni Sena.
Meanwhile, the Home Department has decided not to ban the Gowarikar's film and directed that law and order be maintained around all theatres of the state, Jaipur District Collector Khil Arora said.
The Rajasthan High Court had on Wednesday dismissed a petition seeking restraining orders against leaders of Rajput Sabha and Karni Sena but asked the government to ensure law and order
Courtesy: Ndtv.com
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Dressing up Jodha and Akbar
Dressing up the stars is a piece of cake for fashion designer Neeta Lulla (right).
She has been in the film industry for two decades and won a National Award for her designs in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Devdas.
Her latest assignment is designing for the Ashutosh Gowarikar's epic love story, Jodhaa Akbar. What makes the fashion designer's job easier is that she is no stranger to one of the stars, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, whom Neeta has been designing for, in the last decade.
Neeta Lulla talks to Patcy N about Jodhaa-Akbar's elaborate outfits:
Though I have worked on period films like Devdas, Kisna and even a Hollywood film, One Night with the King, Jodhaa Akbar is one of the most challenging films I have ever done in the last 20 years.
One of the main reasons is because this is the first time I have designed for an entire cast -- from Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya, to a commoner walking on the road.
What made it easier was that everything was well researched. Even then, I worked on this project for a year and half because there was very little information available about the costumes and jewellery worn during that period.
Gowarikar made things smooth. I am yet to come across a director like him who is so organised, calm and in sync with what the technicians are looking for.
I wasn't nervous while doing the film. I thrive on challenges and Jodhaa Akbar was one project that really excited me.
I designed the clothes myself. The accessories, however, were tricky so Tanishq (a leading jewellery brand) stepped in and gave me inputs. Gowarikar also gave me inputs. The accessories were made of gold, cut diamond, ruby, kundan and jade.
As the Mughal era was known for its grandiosity, we used a lot of warm tones though we were careful not to go overboard.
The costumes and accessories were quite heavy but the actors took it in their stride.
I share a great bond with Aishwarya. I have been designing for her for the last decade so I knew her likes and dislikes.
The most ornate costume I designed for Aishwarya in the film is her bridal dress as well as the one she wore for a celebration song. We chose the colour red for the bridal dress, which had a lot of embroidery. In fact, the grandness of the bridal dress was the ornate embroidery which I designed in detail and was brought to life by my artisans.
We got the fabrics from Delhi, Jaipur, Mumbai and Rajasthan.
We used a lot woven fabrics and different textures like brocades, silks and cotton. We used a lot of zardozi, kundan and stones embedded in the embroidery. We also had gotta work done on some of the costumes.
For shoes, we got authentic embroidered mojris from Rajasthan.
Hrithik found it difficult to handle so much ornate work. I don't think anyone would like to wear so much ornate stuff.
I also kept in mind the character while designing the clothes. For example, I used a lot of dark tones of brown, black and green while designing for Nikitin Dheer's negative character.
The jewellery used in Jodhaa Akbar go back to the days of age-old traditions, but with a few modifications.
People may love the accessories of those grand days when they see them in the film but at the same time wearing them in real life is not feasible. People may not be able to afford them.
Plus, more and more people are looking for comfort as well as fashion. So, what I was aiming at is a blend of both -- bringing back the grandness of those days in today's time zone.
Courtesy: Rediff.com
She has been in the film industry for two decades and won a National Award for her designs in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Devdas.
Her latest assignment is designing for the Ashutosh Gowarikar's epic love story, Jodhaa Akbar. What makes the fashion designer's job easier is that she is no stranger to one of the stars, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, whom Neeta has been designing for, in the last decade.
Neeta Lulla talks to Patcy N about Jodhaa-Akbar's elaborate outfits:
Though I have worked on period films like Devdas, Kisna and even a Hollywood film, One Night with the King, Jodhaa Akbar is one of the most challenging films I have ever done in the last 20 years.
One of the main reasons is because this is the first time I have designed for an entire cast -- from Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya, to a commoner walking on the road.
What made it easier was that everything was well researched. Even then, I worked on this project for a year and half because there was very little information available about the costumes and jewellery worn during that period.
Gowarikar made things smooth. I am yet to come across a director like him who is so organised, calm and in sync with what the technicians are looking for.
I wasn't nervous while doing the film. I thrive on challenges and Jodhaa Akbar was one project that really excited me.
I designed the clothes myself. The accessories, however, were tricky so Tanishq (a leading jewellery brand) stepped in and gave me inputs. Gowarikar also gave me inputs. The accessories were made of gold, cut diamond, ruby, kundan and jade.
As the Mughal era was known for its grandiosity, we used a lot of warm tones though we were careful not to go overboard.
The costumes and accessories were quite heavy but the actors took it in their stride.
I share a great bond with Aishwarya. I have been designing for her for the last decade so I knew her likes and dislikes.
The most ornate costume I designed for Aishwarya in the film is her bridal dress as well as the one she wore for a celebration song. We chose the colour red for the bridal dress, which had a lot of embroidery. In fact, the grandness of the bridal dress was the ornate embroidery which I designed in detail and was brought to life by my artisans.
We got the fabrics from Delhi, Jaipur, Mumbai and Rajasthan.
We used a lot woven fabrics and different textures like brocades, silks and cotton. We used a lot of zardozi, kundan and stones embedded in the embroidery. We also had gotta work done on some of the costumes.
For shoes, we got authentic embroidered mojris from Rajasthan.
Hrithik found it difficult to handle so much ornate work. I don't think anyone would like to wear so much ornate stuff.
I also kept in mind the character while designing the clothes. For example, I used a lot of dark tones of brown, black and green while designing for Nikitin Dheer's negative character.
The jewellery used in Jodhaa Akbar go back to the days of age-old traditions, but with a few modifications.
People may love the accessories of those grand days when they see them in the film but at the same time wearing them in real life is not feasible. People may not be able to afford them.
Plus, more and more people are looking for comfort as well as fashion. So, what I was aiming at is a blend of both -- bringing back the grandness of those days in today's time zone.
Courtesy: Rediff.com
Tamil theaters supporting the Rajasthani Rajputs against Jodha Akbar?
Unlike what was being reported earlier, Jodha Akbar will not be able to make it in dubbed versions in Tamil Nadu this week. 'Officially' the Tamil distributors are believed to have told the makers the demand is not strong enough for it to follow the likes of Krrish, Dhoom 2 and Guru to have a regional sub-release also in the south. However it could be they are heeding the calls of the Hindu Rajput groups who have asked people of every state to shun the film because of what is being called an attempt to distort Indian & Hindu history via a movie.
The other aspect could be purely financial. UTV is said to have asked for over 2 crores for the territory which is believed to be too much given its theme and setting at the moment.
Even the Hindi version in Chennai is not having a huge release with only 2 theaters currently planning to exhibit the mughal-rajput saga on Friday.
Courtesy: Ibosnetwork.com
The other aspect could be purely financial. UTV is said to have asked for over 2 crores for the territory which is believed to be too much given its theme and setting at the moment.
Even the Hindi version in Chennai is not having a huge release with only 2 theaters currently planning to exhibit the mughal-rajput saga on Friday.
Courtesy: Ibosnetwork.com
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Debate continues over Jodha Bai
Who was Jodha Bai? That's the crux of the controversy that's dogging Ashutosh Gowarikar magnum opus Jodha Akbar that releases this week.
A section of the Rajput community opposing the film claims that it's historically incorrect to say that Jodha was Akbar's wife but historians themselves are divided.
Some historians say Jodhaa was Akbar's daughter-in-law, which is what school textbooks also say but others claim she was married to Akbar.
In fact she was not a Jaipur princess at all but from Jodhpur and wife of Salim or Jehangir.
They claim, the Jaipur Princess Akbar was married to, was called Harkan or Heera Bai but coming out in support of the film is none other than the royal families of Jaipur and Kishangarh.
The royal families say there is not much in a name. Akbar's consort was a Jaipur princess and Gowarikar only went ahead with the film once they cleared the script and if anybody has any objections it should be them.
While school children studying Satish Chandra 's NCERT text book are taught that Jodha Bai was the wife of Jehangir other historians claim that in fact if you look at primary sources there is no mention of the name Jodha at all.
In fact the name Jodha only crops up in the past 200 years when Col Todd in his annals and antiquities of Rajasthan writes that Jodha was probably married to Akbar. So the mystery deepens as to who was Jodha?
The Mughals came to India as invaders but it was Akbar who embraced Hindustan as his own. His marriage with the daughter of Rajput kings of Amber was a political alliance that turned the Rajputs from foes into friends.
But who was this princess who entered into the first Hindu-Muslim alliance in history?
Original records like Ain-I-Akbari and histories of the Amber kings confirm that in 1562 Akbar married Raja Bharmal's daughter at Sambhar about a 100 km from modern Jaipur but the name of this princess is far from clear.
"Our geneology, the documents of the Royal Family are the most authentic records, and in our records, different names appear. She is called Hira Bai and Harkan Bai and some historians call her Jodha. So he took the most popular name for the film," said Maharaja Brajraj Singh, Kishangarh Royal family.
But Ashutosh Gowarikar says the film should not be judged only in the context of the title but as an exploration of an inter-faith relationship.
"For me what became important was to get into the research. I read the Rajput history-some called her Harka Bai, Shahi Bai, Jodha Bai. I also read the history of Jaipur, where it mentions Uday Singh the Raja, who gave his daughter away to Jehangir but her name was Jodh. Both Jodha and Jodh are different I could have called my film Harka-Akbar or Meera-Akbar but I thought some historians might object to it so I kept the popular name," said Gowarikar.
So, how did the name Jodha become popular?
Some historians like Col Todd have called Akbar's wife Jodha and Films like Mughal-e-Azam, which picked up the name entrenched it in public memory.
But the Rajput community that's opposing the film says the time has now come to set the record straight. They claim Jodha was from Jodhpur and she was married not to Akbar but to his son Jehangir.
Prof Khangarot, Historian and spokespeson for the Rajput sabha said, "Do you have a right to make your own history or change history. Jodha Bai was the daughter of Mota Raja of Jodhpur, who wed Salim and became the mother of Shahjahan."
The Rajput Karni Sena has already started burning posters of the film. They say they won't allow it to be shown in Rajasthan. But the Jaipur royals, who support the film say Gowarikar's has depicted Rajput culture with sensitivity.
Maharani Padmini Devi, Jaipur royal family said, "We went through the script before he started the movie, the mahurat shot was taken here. We are the closest in relation to Jodha, therefore if there was anything objectionable we would have not endorsed it."
Some historians are of the opinion that the name Jodha does not figure in any original records of the time.
Infact, it is only in the past 200 years that the name begins to appear in historical narratives. So what is history?
There is no definite answer, there is recorded history and there are oral traditions, there are legends and myths. The the answers to who was Jodha probably lies in the matrix of our past.
Courtesy: Ndtvmovies.com
A section of the Rajput community opposing the film claims that it's historically incorrect to say that Jodha was Akbar's wife but historians themselves are divided.
Some historians say Jodhaa was Akbar's daughter-in-law, which is what school textbooks also say but others claim she was married to Akbar.
In fact she was not a Jaipur princess at all but from Jodhpur and wife of Salim or Jehangir.
They claim, the Jaipur Princess Akbar was married to, was called Harkan or Heera Bai but coming out in support of the film is none other than the royal families of Jaipur and Kishangarh.
The royal families say there is not much in a name. Akbar's consort was a Jaipur princess and Gowarikar only went ahead with the film once they cleared the script and if anybody has any objections it should be them.
While school children studying Satish Chandra 's NCERT text book are taught that Jodha Bai was the wife of Jehangir other historians claim that in fact if you look at primary sources there is no mention of the name Jodha at all.
In fact the name Jodha only crops up in the past 200 years when Col Todd in his annals and antiquities of Rajasthan writes that Jodha was probably married to Akbar. So the mystery deepens as to who was Jodha?
The Mughals came to India as invaders but it was Akbar who embraced Hindustan as his own. His marriage with the daughter of Rajput kings of Amber was a political alliance that turned the Rajputs from foes into friends.
But who was this princess who entered into the first Hindu-Muslim alliance in history?
Original records like Ain-I-Akbari and histories of the Amber kings confirm that in 1562 Akbar married Raja Bharmal's daughter at Sambhar about a 100 km from modern Jaipur but the name of this princess is far from clear.
"Our geneology, the documents of the Royal Family are the most authentic records, and in our records, different names appear. She is called Hira Bai and Harkan Bai and some historians call her Jodha. So he took the most popular name for the film," said Maharaja Brajraj Singh, Kishangarh Royal family.
But Ashutosh Gowarikar says the film should not be judged only in the context of the title but as an exploration of an inter-faith relationship.
"For me what became important was to get into the research. I read the Rajput history-some called her Harka Bai, Shahi Bai, Jodha Bai. I also read the history of Jaipur, where it mentions Uday Singh the Raja, who gave his daughter away to Jehangir but her name was Jodh. Both Jodha and Jodh are different I could have called my film Harka-Akbar or Meera-Akbar but I thought some historians might object to it so I kept the popular name," said Gowarikar.
So, how did the name Jodha become popular?
Some historians like Col Todd have called Akbar's wife Jodha and Films like Mughal-e-Azam, which picked up the name entrenched it in public memory.
But the Rajput community that's opposing the film says the time has now come to set the record straight. They claim Jodha was from Jodhpur and she was married not to Akbar but to his son Jehangir.
Prof Khangarot, Historian and spokespeson for the Rajput sabha said, "Do you have a right to make your own history or change history. Jodha Bai was the daughter of Mota Raja of Jodhpur, who wed Salim and became the mother of Shahjahan."
The Rajput Karni Sena has already started burning posters of the film. They say they won't allow it to be shown in Rajasthan. But the Jaipur royals, who support the film say Gowarikar's has depicted Rajput culture with sensitivity.
Maharani Padmini Devi, Jaipur royal family said, "We went through the script before he started the movie, the mahurat shot was taken here. We are the closest in relation to Jodha, therefore if there was anything objectionable we would have not endorsed it."
Some historians are of the opinion that the name Jodha does not figure in any original records of the time.
Infact, it is only in the past 200 years that the name begins to appear in historical narratives. So what is history?
There is no definite answer, there is recorded history and there are oral traditions, there are legends and myths. The the answers to who was Jodha probably lies in the matrix of our past.
Courtesy: Ndtvmovies.com
Friday, February 08, 2008
'Get out Jodhabai' - Roshan-Rai under threat from Hindu Rajputs now
The Rajput Karni Sena came out strong against Aishwarya Rai tuesday, telling her she was not welcome and asking her to get out of Rajasthan, as she agreed to play a Hindu rajput Jodha who marries the muslim king Akbar in the film Jodhaa Akbar. The actress had come to Jaipur and was staying at a hotel alongside the Bachchans on Tuesday.
Slogans implying violence were chanted outside the hotel where she was staying. Though the Sena chief tempered the protest after it was reported that Amitabh Bachchan, who was also at the hotel had taken ill.
Many of the Hindus there have been angry at Rai and have guaranteed a ban of Jodha Akbar across Rajashtan, which they allege to be politically driven and historically distortive. They are also organizing for wider attacks on JA in India.
'Akbar' of Jodha Akbar, Hrithik Roshan, is not in Jaipur but many of these Rajputs are planning to settle their score with him later. The actor's effigies were reported to be burnt across Rajasthan on Tuesday.
Courtesy: Ibosnetwork.com
Slogans implying violence were chanted outside the hotel where she was staying. Though the Sena chief tempered the protest after it was reported that Amitabh Bachchan, who was also at the hotel had taken ill.
Many of the Hindus there have been angry at Rai and have guaranteed a ban of Jodha Akbar across Rajashtan, which they allege to be politically driven and historically distortive. They are also organizing for wider attacks on JA in India.
'Akbar' of Jodha Akbar, Hrithik Roshan, is not in Jaipur but many of these Rajputs are planning to settle their score with him later. The actor's effigies were reported to be burnt across Rajasthan on Tuesday.
Courtesy: Ibosnetwork.com
'Emperor Akbar was Jodha's father-in-law'
A former minister in the Chandrashekhar government in the early 1990s, Lokendra Singh Kalvi, 54, has a new agenda. He has now taken up the issue of the distortion of history in Ashutosh Gowarikar's Jodhaa Akbar.
Heading a Rajput outfit called Sri Rajput Karni Sena, Kalvi says he takes strong exception to visualisation of the Jodha-Akbar romance.
In an exclusive interview with Onkar Singh in New Delhi, Kalvi denied that he was deliberately kicking up the controversy to seek cheap publicity. He tells us more.
When did you decide to take up this issue?
On January 20, we had a meeting of Rajputs to discuss the reservation issue. During the course of the meeting, some MPs and MLAs from the state mentioned Jodhaa Akbar and how history was being distorted. Sri Rajput Karni Sena, of which I am the chief convenor, decided to take up the matter on behalf of the Rajput community.
Did Jodhabai really exist?
What is the distortion that you are talking about?
According to history books, Prince Jehangir married Mote Raja Udai Singh's daughter Manmat Kanwar, who was also known as Jodhabai, as she came from the Jodhpur kingdom. By the marriage, Emperor Akbar became her father-in-law. She was three years younger to Jehangir.
So who was Prince Salim's mother?
Salim's mother, according to historians, was the elder daughter of Maharaja Bharmal of Jaipur. The marriage between Emperor Akbar and Harkanbai (Salim's mother) took place on Feburary 6, 1562. Salim was born in 1569.
Is it true that the NRI club of historians are behind the protests?
Yes, the Historian Club of the NRIs is involved and one Dr Ms Vyas, who resides in United States is the main person behind this movement. She asked me if we could move the Supreme Court of India on this matter. We would certainly be probing that possibility.
Is it true that you formed a committee of historians?
Yes, we constituted a three-member committee of historians in India. They submitted their report in 15 days.
There are allegations you are kicking up the controversy for publicity?
If that were true, then I have a hundred issues, which I can raise and get media attention. I am not worried about what people say. Two days ago, a team from UTV (the producers of Jodhaa Akbar) met me and asked me how the whole thing could be sorted out. I do not know who those people were, and I told them if the producers of the film can change the name of the main character, then we have no problem.
I saw to it that when Amitabh Bachchan [Images] and his family were in Jaipur to celebrate the birthday of his son, Abhishek, there was no untoward incidents. It may have caused embrassment to the Rajputs.
Professor Satish Chandra, former University Grants Commission chairman and well known historian, told rediff.com that he was against the banning of Jodhaa Akbar. What is your comment?
For me, it is good enough that he admits there are historial distortions. We have to see whether there should be a ban or not. We will not allow the film to be released in Rajasthan. That is final. We are in favour of the order of the Rajasthan district court, which was moved nine months ago.
But when Mugal-e-Azam was released, there were no such protest.
I was a kid then. I remember there were protests but then the issue was settled out of court. That will not happen now. The producer must make the necessary amendments, as it hurts our ego.
Courtesy: Rediff.com
Heading a Rajput outfit called Sri Rajput Karni Sena, Kalvi says he takes strong exception to visualisation of the Jodha-Akbar romance.
In an exclusive interview with Onkar Singh in New Delhi, Kalvi denied that he was deliberately kicking up the controversy to seek cheap publicity. He tells us more.
When did you decide to take up this issue?
On January 20, we had a meeting of Rajputs to discuss the reservation issue. During the course of the meeting, some MPs and MLAs from the state mentioned Jodhaa Akbar and how history was being distorted. Sri Rajput Karni Sena, of which I am the chief convenor, decided to take up the matter on behalf of the Rajput community.
Did Jodhabai really exist?
What is the distortion that you are talking about?
According to history books, Prince Jehangir married Mote Raja Udai Singh's daughter Manmat Kanwar, who was also known as Jodhabai, as she came from the Jodhpur kingdom. By the marriage, Emperor Akbar became her father-in-law. She was three years younger to Jehangir.
So who was Prince Salim's mother?
Salim's mother, according to historians, was the elder daughter of Maharaja Bharmal of Jaipur. The marriage between Emperor Akbar and Harkanbai (Salim's mother) took place on Feburary 6, 1562. Salim was born in 1569.
Is it true that the NRI club of historians are behind the protests?
Yes, the Historian Club of the NRIs is involved and one Dr Ms Vyas, who resides in United States is the main person behind this movement. She asked me if we could move the Supreme Court of India on this matter. We would certainly be probing that possibility.
Is it true that you formed a committee of historians?
Yes, we constituted a three-member committee of historians in India. They submitted their report in 15 days.
There are allegations you are kicking up the controversy for publicity?
If that were true, then I have a hundred issues, which I can raise and get media attention. I am not worried about what people say. Two days ago, a team from UTV (the producers of Jodhaa Akbar) met me and asked me how the whole thing could be sorted out. I do not know who those people were, and I told them if the producers of the film can change the name of the main character, then we have no problem.
I saw to it that when Amitabh Bachchan [Images] and his family were in Jaipur to celebrate the birthday of his son, Abhishek, there was no untoward incidents. It may have caused embrassment to the Rajputs.
Professor Satish Chandra, former University Grants Commission chairman and well known historian, told rediff.com that he was against the banning of Jodhaa Akbar. What is your comment?
For me, it is good enough that he admits there are historial distortions. We have to see whether there should be a ban or not. We will not allow the film to be released in Rajasthan. That is final. We are in favour of the order of the Rajasthan district court, which was moved nine months ago.
But when Mugal-e-Azam was released, there were no such protest.
I was a kid then. I remember there were protests but then the issue was settled out of court. That will not happen now. The producer must make the necessary amendments, as it hurts our ego.
Courtesy: Rediff.com
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
'Jodha Akbar': What is in name?
Several controversies have surrounded the forthcoming film of Aishwarya Rai and Hirtik Roshan 'Jodha Akbar'. Rajputs in Rajasthan have staged demonstrations against the historical films. Even historians have questioned the very existence of Jodha Bai. Many have questioned the name Jodha bai but others say that name outside the Mughal Palace and inside the harem differed.
More than four decades ago, K. Asif picked up Akbar's son Salim from the pages of history and cast his love story in celluloid.
The magnum opus, "Mughal-e-Azam", based on the tragic romance between Salim and Anarkali, was a sheer spectacle in terms of grandeur, colour, drama and music. It remains a hit till date.
So now the question is: will Ashutosh Gowariker's "Jodhaa-Akbar" - starring Indian superhero Hrithik Roshan and beauty queen Aishwarya Rai - weave the same magic?
"People will come to the theatres out of curiosity but the magic of 'Mughal-e-Azam' will always linger. 'Jodhaa-Akbar' is not a love story in the true sense, it was more of a marriage of convenience; hence a bigger challenge for Gowariker to make it in to a convincing love story," Debdatta Mukherjee, a leading model, told IANS.
"Mughal-e-Azam", say old-timers in Bollywood, was based on a "documented" love story, whereas there "are very few details available about Jodhabai and Akbar. Jodha still remains a mystery. Many historians believe that she was a Rajput princess from Rajasthan and according to some, Raja Mansingh's sister.
"There is no drama associated with their courtship," said an industry veteran.
Gowariker risked making "Lagaan" in 2001, a period film set in colonial India, and hit the jackpot. And now he is gambling once again by daring to narrate the not-so-familiar love story of Mughal emperor Jalaluddin Akbar and Rajput princess Jodhabai in "Jodhaa-Akbar" releasing Valentine's Day week.
Releasing Feb 15, it's a rather unusual Valentine romance - between a Mughal emperor and a Hindu woman who was the emperor's arranged match. Love grew after marriage and also saw the birth of the heir to the Mughal throne, Jahangir.
While Asif's "Mughal-e-Azam" was a doomed love story starring Dilip Kumar and "beauty queen of the era" Madhubala, Gowariker's 16th century tale is about prince Salims's parents who were brought together by a marriage of alliance.
"Jodha and Akbar shared a perfect arranged marriage. I was fascinated by how their relationship must have grown after marriage," Gowariker was quoted as saying.
Earlier, Hrithik and Aishwarya had scorched the screen in the slick flick "Dhoom 2", but the director says that their previous image is not going to harm his film.
He said: "Their contemporary image won't be a problem. They were a huge success in 'Dhoom 2'. That can only help my film, not harm it. The audience will come in and forget everything about Hrithik and Aishwarya.
"What audiences will see in my film are Jodha and Akbar. At least, that's what I've tried to ensure through their looks, body language and behaviour."
Produced at a cost of Rs.15 million, "Mughal-e-Azam" was the costliest film of the era. It took Asif 14 years to realise his dream because of casting, financial and technical obstacles. Once completed, the epic love story was premiered simultaneously in 1960 in 150 theatres across the country and turned out to be a gold spinner.
Gowariker also faced difficulty in finding a producer. However, once the deal was signed with UTV, he had a smooth ride.
Gowariker finished the film in a year's time. He used over 80 elephants, 100 horses and 55 camels in the movie. Initially, the film's budget was of Rs.400 million, apparently it overshot the whip.
While Nitin Desai worked on the details of the magnanimous sets, Tanishq has designed the jewellery and Neeta Lulla has done the costume and looks of the film. It goes without saying that they all worked under the guidance of Gowariker.
Asif also worked with the best of talents. He hired tailors from Delhi to design the costumes, roped in goldsmiths from Hyderabad for the jewellery, Kolhapur craftsmen made the crowns, Rajasthani ironsmiths fabricated the shields, swords, spears, dagger and armour, specialists from Surat-Khambayat were employed for the exquisite zardosi work on the costumes, while the elaborate footwear was ordered from Agra!
Dilip Kumar who played Salim was sent to London to get a special wig to give him a princely look.
In a song titled "Ae mohabbat zindabad", a chorus of 100 singers were used and in a song titled "Azeem O Shan, Shahenshah" in "Jodhaa-Akbar", the director roped in 1,000 dancers in traditional costumes, wielding swords and shields.
While Asif's legendary masterpiece didn't have any historical evidence, Gowariker hired a research team of historians and scholars to guide him and help him keep things historically accurate.
After two years of pre-production work, Gowariker canned the first shot. "There was no reference in any books about what happened between Jodha and Akbar. I've taken extreme care to make sure viewers believe in the relationship," said Gowariker.
Another high point of "Mughal-e-Azam" was Naushad's superb musical score, especially the song "Jab pyar kiya to darna kya", which has a timeless appeal.
A.R. Rahman's music for "Jodhaa-Akbar" too has been appreciated. The songs have an epic feel to it.
"I wanted to make my historical movie as believable as I'd liked to see it. Every element big or small, from the texture of the clothes to the sets, décor, dialogues and the protocol, even the incidental sounds of birds and animals, they all had to be just right for me," said Gowariker.
Although it has not been decided yet with how many prints "Jodhaa-Akbar" will be released when it opens, the film's promos hit the theatres with 1,125 prints.
Courtesy: Khabrein.info
More than four decades ago, K. Asif picked up Akbar's son Salim from the pages of history and cast his love story in celluloid.
The magnum opus, "Mughal-e-Azam", based on the tragic romance between Salim and Anarkali, was a sheer spectacle in terms of grandeur, colour, drama and music. It remains a hit till date.
So now the question is: will Ashutosh Gowariker's "Jodhaa-Akbar" - starring Indian superhero Hrithik Roshan and beauty queen Aishwarya Rai - weave the same magic?
"People will come to the theatres out of curiosity but the magic of 'Mughal-e-Azam' will always linger. 'Jodhaa-Akbar' is not a love story in the true sense, it was more of a marriage of convenience; hence a bigger challenge for Gowariker to make it in to a convincing love story," Debdatta Mukherjee, a leading model, told IANS.
"Mughal-e-Azam", say old-timers in Bollywood, was based on a "documented" love story, whereas there "are very few details available about Jodhabai and Akbar. Jodha still remains a mystery. Many historians believe that she was a Rajput princess from Rajasthan and according to some, Raja Mansingh's sister.
"There is no drama associated with their courtship," said an industry veteran.
Gowariker risked making "Lagaan" in 2001, a period film set in colonial India, and hit the jackpot. And now he is gambling once again by daring to narrate the not-so-familiar love story of Mughal emperor Jalaluddin Akbar and Rajput princess Jodhabai in "Jodhaa-Akbar" releasing Valentine's Day week.
Releasing Feb 15, it's a rather unusual Valentine romance - between a Mughal emperor and a Hindu woman who was the emperor's arranged match. Love grew after marriage and also saw the birth of the heir to the Mughal throne, Jahangir.
While Asif's "Mughal-e-Azam" was a doomed love story starring Dilip Kumar and "beauty queen of the era" Madhubala, Gowariker's 16th century tale is about prince Salims's parents who were brought together by a marriage of alliance.
"Jodha and Akbar shared a perfect arranged marriage. I was fascinated by how their relationship must have grown after marriage," Gowariker was quoted as saying.
Earlier, Hrithik and Aishwarya had scorched the screen in the slick flick "Dhoom 2", but the director says that their previous image is not going to harm his film.
He said: "Their contemporary image won't be a problem. They were a huge success in 'Dhoom 2'. That can only help my film, not harm it. The audience will come in and forget everything about Hrithik and Aishwarya.
"What audiences will see in my film are Jodha and Akbar. At least, that's what I've tried to ensure through their looks, body language and behaviour."
Produced at a cost of Rs.15 million, "Mughal-e-Azam" was the costliest film of the era. It took Asif 14 years to realise his dream because of casting, financial and technical obstacles. Once completed, the epic love story was premiered simultaneously in 1960 in 150 theatres across the country and turned out to be a gold spinner.
Gowariker also faced difficulty in finding a producer. However, once the deal was signed with UTV, he had a smooth ride.
Gowariker finished the film in a year's time. He used over 80 elephants, 100 horses and 55 camels in the movie. Initially, the film's budget was of Rs.400 million, apparently it overshot the whip.
While Nitin Desai worked on the details of the magnanimous sets, Tanishq has designed the jewellery and Neeta Lulla has done the costume and looks of the film. It goes without saying that they all worked under the guidance of Gowariker.
Asif also worked with the best of talents. He hired tailors from Delhi to design the costumes, roped in goldsmiths from Hyderabad for the jewellery, Kolhapur craftsmen made the crowns, Rajasthani ironsmiths fabricated the shields, swords, spears, dagger and armour, specialists from Surat-Khambayat were employed for the exquisite zardosi work on the costumes, while the elaborate footwear was ordered from Agra!
Dilip Kumar who played Salim was sent to London to get a special wig to give him a princely look.
In a song titled "Ae mohabbat zindabad", a chorus of 100 singers were used and in a song titled "Azeem O Shan, Shahenshah" in "Jodhaa-Akbar", the director roped in 1,000 dancers in traditional costumes, wielding swords and shields.
While Asif's legendary masterpiece didn't have any historical evidence, Gowariker hired a research team of historians and scholars to guide him and help him keep things historically accurate.
After two years of pre-production work, Gowariker canned the first shot. "There was no reference in any books about what happened between Jodha and Akbar. I've taken extreme care to make sure viewers believe in the relationship," said Gowariker.
Another high point of "Mughal-e-Azam" was Naushad's superb musical score, especially the song "Jab pyar kiya to darna kya", which has a timeless appeal.
A.R. Rahman's music for "Jodhaa-Akbar" too has been appreciated. The songs have an epic feel to it.
"I wanted to make my historical movie as believable as I'd liked to see it. Every element big or small, from the texture of the clothes to the sets, décor, dialogues and the protocol, even the incidental sounds of birds and animals, they all had to be just right for me," said Gowariker.
Although it has not been decided yet with how many prints "Jodhaa-Akbar" will be released when it opens, the film's promos hit the theatres with 1,125 prints.
Courtesy: Khabrein.info
Protests against Jodhaa Akbar in Rajasthan
Activists belonging to an outfit calling itself the Sri Rajput Karni Sena have protested against the screening of Jodhaa Akbar in Rajasthan.
"We shall not allow the filmmaker to distort history," said Lokendra Singh Kalvi, a leader of the outfit, at a press conference in New Delhi on Tuesday.
According to him, none of Mughal emperor Akbar's 34 wives were named Jodhabai. Akbar married the former maharaja of Ajmer, Bharmal's elder daughter Karkbai alias Heer Kumar in Fatehpur Sikri on Feburary 6, 1562. Prince Salim was born in 1569.
"Jodhabai was the daughter of Moteraja Udai Singh and she would have been three years younger than Salim and hence, in no way could she have been his mother," Kalvi claimed.
According to these organisations, Jodha was the daughter of Udai Singh of Marwar and was married to Salim, Akbar's son.
"Thus, she was Akbar's daughter-in-law. So, depicting Jodha as Akbar's wife is not tolerable," Karni said.
He claimed that he had met Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Priyarajan Das Munsi and the latter had assured him that the film would not be allowed to be released.
He also claimed five historians had worked on the subject and had come up with well researched documents that prove the film historically incorrect. Ain-e-Akbari (page 619), Akbarnama (page 212) and a National Council of Educational Research and Training's Class XI history book on medieval India by Professor Satish Chandra are amongst the books that were consulted by the experts, he said.
"The Rajasthan high court has passed an order and if necessary, we shall go to the Supreme Court of India and seek a ban. In any case, the producers are losing money on the Rajasthan territory where they have not been able to release their music. We will not allow Jodhaa Akbar to be screened in Rajasthan," Karni said.
He could not give us the names of the historians or produce the high court papers when the media asked him for a copy.
"I will send you copies of the CDs to reporters in Delhi," he said.
Rajput activists also burnt posters of Jodhaa Akbar in Rajasthan. At least 100 activists gathered outside the Rambagh Palace hotel in Jaipur -- where the Bachchans are celebrating Abhishek's birthday -- and shouted slogans against Aishwarya [Images] for playing the role of Jodhabai in the film, as well as against director Ashutosh Gowarikar.
Slogans like 'Jodha Akbar nahin chalega, band karo Jodha Akbar' and 'Amitabh (Bachchan) Aish ko samjhao, Aish ko Jodha mat banao' filled the air as the protestors burnt posters of the big budget film that also stars Hrithik Roshan [Images].
Kalvi said the protest was a symbolic one, since Amitabh was ill.
Jodhaa Akbar has faced heavy weather right from the time the crew landed on the outskirts of Jaipur in 2006, with the Rajputs saying it was historically incorrect and animal rights activists accusing Gowarikar of being cruel to horses used in some sequences.
Courtesy: Rediff.com
"We shall not allow the filmmaker to distort history," said Lokendra Singh Kalvi, a leader of the outfit, at a press conference in New Delhi on Tuesday.
According to him, none of Mughal emperor Akbar's 34 wives were named Jodhabai. Akbar married the former maharaja of Ajmer, Bharmal's elder daughter Karkbai alias Heer Kumar in Fatehpur Sikri on Feburary 6, 1562. Prince Salim was born in 1569.
"Jodhabai was the daughter of Moteraja Udai Singh and she would have been three years younger than Salim and hence, in no way could she have been his mother," Kalvi claimed.
According to these organisations, Jodha was the daughter of Udai Singh of Marwar and was married to Salim, Akbar's son.
"Thus, she was Akbar's daughter-in-law. So, depicting Jodha as Akbar's wife is not tolerable," Karni said.
He claimed that he had met Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Priyarajan Das Munsi and the latter had assured him that the film would not be allowed to be released.
He also claimed five historians had worked on the subject and had come up with well researched documents that prove the film historically incorrect. Ain-e-Akbari (page 619), Akbarnama (page 212) and a National Council of Educational Research and Training's Class XI history book on medieval India by Professor Satish Chandra are amongst the books that were consulted by the experts, he said.
"The Rajasthan high court has passed an order and if necessary, we shall go to the Supreme Court of India and seek a ban. In any case, the producers are losing money on the Rajasthan territory where they have not been able to release their music. We will not allow Jodhaa Akbar to be screened in Rajasthan," Karni said.
He could not give us the names of the historians or produce the high court papers when the media asked him for a copy.
"I will send you copies of the CDs to reporters in Delhi," he said.
Rajput activists also burnt posters of Jodhaa Akbar in Rajasthan. At least 100 activists gathered outside the Rambagh Palace hotel in Jaipur -- where the Bachchans are celebrating Abhishek's birthday -- and shouted slogans against Aishwarya [Images] for playing the role of Jodhabai in the film, as well as against director Ashutosh Gowarikar.
Slogans like 'Jodha Akbar nahin chalega, band karo Jodha Akbar' and 'Amitabh (Bachchan) Aish ko samjhao, Aish ko Jodha mat banao' filled the air as the protestors burnt posters of the big budget film that also stars Hrithik Roshan [Images].
Kalvi said the protest was a symbolic one, since Amitabh was ill.
Jodhaa Akbar has faced heavy weather right from the time the crew landed on the outskirts of Jaipur in 2006, with the Rajputs saying it was historically incorrect and animal rights activists accusing Gowarikar of being cruel to horses used in some sequences.
Courtesy: Rediff.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)