New Delhi: It was perhaps the most awaited film of 2008 and it lived up to the expectations. Jodhaa Akbar has had its share of PR – good, bad and ugly. While the film wasn’t released in Rajasthan – after protests over its historical accuracy – voices of dissent are being heard in other cities as well.
But the opening weekend was good news for its producers. The film got a 70 per cent opening and the figures didn't drop over the weekend.
Jodhaa Akbar was made on Rs 40-crore budget and while it’s too early to predict if the movie will be a hit, director Ashutosh Gowarikar might just have the last laugh.
Gowarikar spoke with CNN-IBN on India at 9 on the various controversies that have kept his period drama in news.
CNN-IBN: Has that controversy helped you to some extent? After all, it does create a bit of curiosity among the viewers.
Gowarikar: I would say the film created its own curiosity due to the very nature of the subject which is about the marriage of alliance between Jodhaa and Akbar. There was enough curiosity there itself. Especially, if you have two huge stars like Hrithik and Ash playing those parts, the curiosity is doubled.
CNN-IBN: Have you felt a little troubled by the manner in which groups - particularly in Rajasthan - have reacted to the film? Has it worried you about what you call your historical research when they say there was no such relation between Jodhaa and Akbar as projected?
Gowarikar: I had anticipated some kind of reservation though I wasn't sure which quarters it would come from. This was right at the start when I decided to make Jodhaa Akbar. So I dived into history and looked at Mughal historians for as much information as I could on Akbar. For Jodhaa, I thought among the Rajput historians, I would also go and meet the Jaipur royalty because ultimately she belonged to that dynasty. When I took their support, I took all the information I could from them with regards to the cultures, traditions, festivals, rituals and also their go-ahead on the name Jodhaa.
CNN-IBN: The royalty has, in fact, come out in support of your film. Many of the stars have also said that this is a fictional love story. But while you thought of a love story with these characters that are firmly etched in history, many would say you shouldn't have taken these liberties.
Gowarikar:: No, as I say, I haven't taken liberties. All the characters you see existed in the past. Even the supporting roles you see are existed. I have taken the help of Akbarnama and Ain-i-Akbari by Abul Fazal, Badayuni's Muntakhab-al- Tawarikh and I have also consulted a lot of historians. If you look at Rajput history, I have read K L Khurana sahab's Medieval India, Harishankar Sharma's Madhyakaleen Bharat and a whole lot of other books. Only then did I realise there are a lot of different names (for Jodhaa). Each historian has come up with his own interpretation of history, you have to respect that and analyse on the basis of that. Ultimately for me, making the film was very important. The only things I have imagined in the film are scenes between Jodhaa and Akbar in the privacy of their chamber, of which there is no account.
CNN-IBN: Therefore your defence is that this is a historically well-researched film, it's not about you taking a license with cinema, it's based on history. Are you going to take this point across to any of the groups in Rajasthan? Will you reach out to these various groups or you think it's not necessary?
Gowarikar:: It is necessary. I think what I am doing now by the way of this particular interview is reaching out to them. The most important thing is that there are various names to Jodhaa and the most popular name that reached the common man is Jodhaa. Having said that, (as far as) the question of Rajput honour, pride and dignity goes, I have taken utmost care that none of that is disturbed. In fact, the film is about how Rajputs made a difference to the life of the Mughals. How they changed them around. That's a very important, interesting, entertaining and educative part of this story. I actually want to appeal to all of them that everyone in Rajasthan - where this film is based and where Jodhaa belonged - should see the film. It's very important that every Rajput sees it.
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