After so many news of Jodhaa Akbar, it is time for some interviews. In this post, I am going to give you six interviews of Ashutosh Gowariker; the mastermind behind Jodhaa Akbar. Since 2001, Ashutosh has been planning about this movie and finally his dream came true. Few days ago, the theatrical trailer was released and it has rocked the audience. All the Hindi movie goers (including me) are eagerly waiting for the movie to hit the theatres in January.
Ashutosh Gowariker’s interview with Rediff:
So far, this is the oldest interview I have collected. Probably, this was done in 2004 when JodhaaAkbar was in research stage. Ashutosh Gowariker talked with Archana Masih from Rediff about his upcoming movie. He was not sure about his male lead in the movie. Still, rumors were out that either Hrithik or Salman would play the male lead. Here is an excerpt of the interview:
Who are the actors you are considering for the Akbar film? Hrithik (alongside in Lakshya)?
No, some people write Hrithik, some Salman. Have not yet got a fix as yet.
I'll tell you what I can tell you about JodhaaAkbar. It's the marriage of alliance between Akbar and Jodhabai. How the alliance transforms into love, so it's a pure love story and it is also… I'm just trying to filter (laughs). It is till Akbar turns 27, it ends when Salim is born.
I can't tell you more because after I tell you this you will only request me to please don't tell us this.
Are you going to produce it?
I will be producing it myself. I am looking for the right collaborator now.
Are you in touch with historians?
I've begun my research. It's all behind you (laughs). This is the Akbarnama (on his desk).
You've said before that a director is at his peak for 5 years, 4 of which are now over...
(laughs) So only one year left to make it. Trying to hurry up. I think will start after a year. I've spent a year already on research.
Why is there a sudden spurt in historical films -- Bajirao Mastani, The Rising, Taj Mahal (stills from both films alongside)... is there any pattern there?
First of all, I don't care if it's a starting trend. It's damn good whatever is happening. It's good for a change to look back at our own history and discover so many stories. We'll get away from boy and girl running around trees.
That's a very good welcome thing, not only for directors who have the vision to come with stories like these but for also the producers, financiers and for actors to say yes. And actors are the most important ones because when an actor says yes a lot of things fall into place. It's a very good thing. Excellent.
Ashutosh Gowariker’s interview with
I have collected this interview from Filmi Khabar. In this interview, Ashutosh Gowariker talks about the story of the film; why he has chosen it and how he has treated it. In Jodhaa Akbar, Ashutosh Gowariker mainly focused on the love relationship between Emperor Akbar and Jodhaa Bai. He thinks that love is a very serious element. There are many historical incidents where kings have turned against each other because of love or united by it. Akbar and Jodhaabai’s marriage was a political alliance. They got married first and then knew each other and fell in love. This custom is still in vogue in the Indian subcontinent. Couples first get married and then they know each other. Here are some more questions:
Do you think the star presence will overshadow the film?
When you see the film you’ll forget that you’re watching Hrithik and Aishwarya onscreen. You will only keep Jodhaa and Akbar in mind. When I imagined the story what came to me easily is the cast, I knew Hrithik would be right as Akbar, and Aishwarya would be perfect as Jodhaa. I approached both of them keeping only them in mind. So we called them and did a make up test and they were perfect for the roles. Thankfully they’ve been very dedicated to us.
You’ve shown a preference for making period films, why is that?
It’s not a preference, but something that has just happened. When I make films I never keep in mind that ‘I’m going to make a period film or a historic film.’
Do you think such films work well with Indian audiences?
I don’t believe that only particular kind of films work or don’t work with Indian audiences. What it boils down to is the story of the film. When a film doesn’t work out a filmmaker definitely has to go back and analyse what didn’t work. But this shouldn’t influence his next film. The most important factor in this retrospection should be ‘what went right’ though.
It’s said that the Rajput community has taken offense to their portrayal. True?
I’ve never felt that the portrayal of Rajputs was shown incorrectly. There is no outlandish message or jingoism in my film. Deep research has been carried out so that no one feels offended. I’ve taken great care to make a clean film.
In this interview, Ashutosh Gowariker clarifies various confusion and controversies regarding his film. He talks about his decision to cast Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai. He also clarifies the animal controversy. While shooting in Rajasthan, People for Animal (PFA) filed a suit against him. Later, when he wanted to bring ten elephants from Jaipur, Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) of Chennai did not give him the permission for he could not produce necessary documents. According to Ashutosh Gowariker, he was in touch with the officials. A member of the AWBI even visited his set. He used 69 elephants, 50 camels and 100 horses. Here is the excerpt:
A: It depends. In Jodhaa-Akbar Emperor Humayun smoked the hookah. You can't tell me that I can't show him smoking. That's history. And I'm being allowed that.
Q: Are you using authentic jewellery of the Mughal period?
A: Yes, we're recreating the authentic jewellery of that period based on the miniature paintings of Rajasthan. Jodhaa and Akbar's jewellery has to look as it did in that era. Today's jewellery is cut in a different way. We had several designers on the job. And Neeta Lulla has designed the whole cast's look - Hrithik, Aishwarya and the soldiers.
Q: If you don't get the Mughal history right, the historians might clobber your film.
A: That's the first thing I did. I met a whole lot of historians. The research helped me to arrive at a place where my imagination was completely unfettered. I'm sure of one thing. I'm not making a historical document. At the end of the day Jodhaa-Akbar has to be a good story told in an interesting manner. I don't want to make a biopic.
"The background is steeped in history. But the characters are mine. No one knows how Jodhaa or Akbar behaved. I've to imagine their romance, the palace and harem politics. I'd say 20 percent is history, 80 percent is my imagination," Gowariker added.
Q: There's a growing feeing that costume dramas don't work at the box office.
A: To me the period is not relevant. The story has to connect with me emotionally, romantically and dramatically. Besides, how many films set in the present times work? So, if I've to fail, I might as well do so while doing what I want to do.
Regarding Jodhaa Akbar, Ashutosh said that the characters might be historical but the story was mostly his imagination. He also said that Jodhaa Akbar had no resemblance with K.Asif’s Mughal-E-Azam.
Ashutosh Gowariker in Santa Banta:
This is an article on Ashutosh Gowariker talking about his cast in JodhaaAkbar. When Ashutosh Gowariker was thinking about the story the two names: Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai, naturally popped up in his mind. Santa Banta reports:
Ashutosh confesses that when he started imagining as to who would suit the roles, he did not have to look far. "It was a dream cast to have Hrithik and Aishwarya. It was not at all my intention to cash in on the success of their star pairing in ‘Dhoom 2’ because I did not cast them after I watched’ Dhoom 2.’
People will forget that they are Hrithik and Aishwarya when they watch ‘Jodhaa Akbar’ as it unfolds because both have dedicated themselves to create the characters that they etch in the film."
Ashutosh further assures people that they are not going to see another Mughal-E-Azam. Mughal-E-Azam was a classic and he had no intention to out do Mughal-E-Azam. Prithvi Raj Kapoor gave an outstanding performance as Akbar in Mughal-E-Azam but the character of Akbar has been shaped according to the persona of Hrithik Roshan in Jodhaa Akbar.
Ashutosh Gowariker’s interview with Daily News and Analysis (DNA):
In this interview, Ashutosh talks about his intentions behind making the movie. The Rajput Sabha of Rajasthan filed a law suit against Ashutosh Gowariker about mis representing the history. According to the Rajput community, Jodhaa bai was not Akbar’s wife. Now let us see what Ashutosh Gowariker thinks about this matter.
What do you have to say about the controversies surrounding the script? The Rajput Sabha even went to court saying historical facts were misrepresented in the film.
Well, I would not like to comment on the issue in detail right now, because it is still in court. But I would like to say that I have done enough research on Mughal history before starting out to make a film. When you are making a historical, it is imperative that you are bang on in terms of facts. I would really prefer it if those who have a problem with the film pass judgments after watching it. To say anything before the film is out would be unfair.
Do you think there will be more such controversies as the release date nears?
Well, given the subject of the film, I would say that such controversies could be part of it before the film releases, but not afterwards. Once people have seen the film, and realised my intentions in making it, all doubts would be cleared. That is why I would appeal to people to actually watch the film before jumping to any conclusions.
All your films seem to have a thread of nationalism running through them. Even in this film, Hrithik mouths the dialogue, “Main
Wow! I have never thought of it from that angle, but you are right. Perhaps I am drawn to such subjects. Although it may manifest itself in different ways, my films could have the common thread of nationalism running through them. I will have to explore this theme more.
In this interview, Ashutosh Gowariker reveals the cause behind chosing such a story and talks about his perference in making periodic movies. Here is an excerpt:
Amrita Panja: From where did you get this courage to make a film as grand and opulent as this?
Ashotosh Gowariker: This is the story which I wanted to make right after 'Lagaan' but at that time I did not have the courage to make it because I thought production wise it needed alot of preparation.
Amrita Panja: Did you ever feel intimidated while making the film considering the fact that period films have not done well in recent times?
Ashotosh Gowariker: Well, I would rather say that contemporary films have not done too well in recent times. I don't think there is anything like period film, contemporary film or historical film. What matters is the story line. If your story works than the genre will also work.
Rumor spread out that Ashutosh could not release the movie in October because of Aishwarya Rai. She could not give time for the movie as she was busy with her shooting of Pink Panther 2 and her marriage as well. However, Ashutosh Gowariker refuted all the claims and said that Aishwarya’s marriage was not a problem.
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Really, the movie Jodhaa Akbar is a unique creation of Ashutosh Gowariker. Jodhaa Akbar is the film of authentic love between Emperor Akbar and Jodhaa bye. Director Ashutosh selected for the movie to Hritik as Akber and Jodhaa as Aishwarya. His selection was appropriate, because if you see the movie then you seem that Hritik and Ashwarya are as like as Emperor Akber and Jodhaa. Their acting in the movie became very excellent. It is a love story and also a historical movie. I expect that the movie will be enjoyable.
Posted by: ratan kumar panday | November 13, 2007 4:12 AM | Permalink to Comment