Jodhaa Akbar is an epic bore athough it’s touted as an epic love story of Mughal Emperor Akbar and Rajput princess Jodhaa, daughter of Raja Barmal, a minor king from a small state called Amer.
Directed by Ashutosh Gowariker (of Lagaan fame), Jodhaa Akbar never once scales lofty heights but struggles in the quicksand of its mediocre story, pedestrian acting, insipid action scenes and awful music.
Simply put, Jodhaa Akbar is not a work of a powerful imagination.
Jodhaa Akbar is also unnecessarily long, so long that Regal Cinemas in Burlington, New Jersey provided an interval (a rarity in the U.S.). The movie is three hours and 24-minutes long!
The movie is like one of those trashy Mills & Boon novels – Boy meets girl. Sparks fly. Boy and girl have disagreement and part. Boy and girl pine for each other. Boy and girl unite.
Add some amateurish war scenes with some elephants, camels and horses to this Mills & Boon kichdi and you have the essence of Jodhaa Akbar.
Neither Hrithik Roshan nor Aishwarya Rai -who play Mughal Emperor Akbar and Jodhaa respectively – distinguish themselves by their acting in Jodhaa Akbar.
In Jodhaa Akbar, Hrithik Roshan displays none of those magisterial traits one would associate with the Great Mughal Emperor Akbar.
Most of the time Hrithik Roshan seemed like he was performing the role of Birbal (Akbar’s court jester).
In several crucial scenes, Hrithik Roshan lets the audience down with a wooden performance. When Jodhaa imposes two conditions for the marriage, Hrithik Roshan disappoints and when he learns of his old Badi Ammi Maham Anga’s perfidious action, he disappoints again.
What a pity that the passion Hrithik Roshan brought to some of his earlier movies like Koi Mil Gaya or Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai is completely missing in Jodhaa Akbar.
As for Aishwarya Rai, the less said of this ethereal beauty’s non-acting, whether in Jodaa Akbar or any other movie, the better.
In great love stories on the screen like Casablanca, the love of the principal characters for each other hits you with a gale-force that leaves an indelible impression on the mind.
But that never happens in Jodhaa Akbar. It’s a love story alright. But not an epic love story.
The action scenes in Jodhaa Akbar also left us disappointed.
We found Hrithik’s fight scene with the elephant less-than-terrifying and less-than-spectacular.
And as for the war scenes in Jodhaa Akbar, they are hopelessly amateurish by Hollywood standards. (even amidst all this outsourcing mania in the U.S., it’s safe to say Steven Spielberg or George Lucas won’t be outsourcing special effects to India any time soon).
Comedy comes in the form of Aishwarya Rai’s sword fights. Come on, this gal can’t even act. Where is the question of her performing sword fights with elan?
If you don’t think Aishwarya Rai’s sword fighting is funny, there is her ludicrous presence on the battle field as Akbar prepares to fight his scheming brother-in-law.
Looking for nice music in Jodhaa Akbar? Forget it. Music director A.R.Rahman must have dozed through the whole exercise.
By the way, the picturization for the Azeem O Shaan Shahenshah song was an elaborate affair and quite nice too.
The only other silver lining in Jodhaa Akbar was in the fine costume design by Neeta Lulla.
Jodhaa Akbar is just not the kind of Bollywood movie you would want to waste money or time on this long President’s Day weekend in the U.S.
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I have yet to see an objective Indian movie review on Philly India [sister site of SearchIndia.com]. I feel your reviewers are biased against Bollywood and just have a knee jerk reaction to put down and blast anything “Indianâ€. The concept of Indian movies was never meant to be like “Hollywood” I think comparisons are unfair and unneeded. Indian culture is different from the American culture .Our movies reflect our different cultural heritages. I don’t think India needs to turn into America or vice versa. So Bollywood will be Bollywood Hollywood will be Hollywood. While there are memorable actor films in both “woodsâ€, every Hollywood movie is not Casablanca but it doesn’t mean don’t not enjoy them. Hindi mainstream movies don’t claim to be life altering mantras of wisdom and enlightment. The are a colorful canvas of music dance and pure entertainment. I think Jodhaa Akhbar achieves that. No violence no sex no obscenities, a nice family movie you can watch with children grandparents without uncomfortable moments.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Are you on dope?
It seems you have not yet watched Jodhaa Akbar because in a SUBSEQUENT comment you posted on our Dus Kahaaniya review you mention that you plan to watch Jodhaa Akbar this weekend.
So, without watching Jodhaa Akbar, you are blabbering about it as “a nice family movie” and “a colorful canvas of music dance and pure entertainment.”
Go, Watch the movie first before commenting.
We are NOT biased against Bollywood but only against bad Bollywood movies. With few exceptions, most of our Bollywood directors pay little attention to the story, hoping that the glamour of the stars is enough to draw in the crowds. As for our Bollywood stars, acting is a completely alien concept to most of them. The end result is that Bollywood movies are usually unwatchable, unendurable and unfathomable nightmares. Just like your silly comment made above without even watching the movie.
I don’t know about isha but you are definitely on dope! First and foremost: “Music director A.R.Rahman must have dozed through the whole exercise.” ???? ARE YOU KIDDING ME???? Have u heard the songs or were you busy finding more words to add to this bullsh*t you call a review? I understand that everyone has their own opinion but honestly, you seem like you just don’t want to see anything good about the movie. Second, the acting. I am not convinced that aishwariya did justice to her role but Hrithik was nothing less than phenomenal!! He totally lived upto this potential and owned the title. Hrithik seemed like he was performing the role of Birbal????? Really?? Sounds like you either knew Akbar personally or really well OR you dont know who the hell Birbal is. Do some research before spitting out random words and you might find out that Birbal was not just a court “jester.” As for your comparison of indian movies and actors to those of Hollywood.. dude GET A LIFE!! FYI, most of the indian movies are love stories and not war movies. Therefore, just the mere expectation of it living upto a Hollywood standard is ludicrous!! In my opinion, this was one of the best love stories I’ve seen and the entire presentation was excellent! For a true Indian movie fan, you want to watch this movie especially in the theaters to enjoy the whole experience of grandeur.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
You Ignorant Baboon (Since you started off your comment insulting us, we felt obligated to return the favor)
Now to the points in your comment. We disagree with your notion that Hrithik “was nothing less than phenomenal”. Like most Indian stars, Hrithik Roshan is a mediocre actor. Hrithik Roshan does NOT belong to the category of folks like Nana Patekar, Irrfan Khan, Naseeruddin Shah, Aamir Khan, Konkona Sen Sharma and Pasupathy (Tamil actor), the few Indian actors who take their craft seriously. Only a doting, mindless fan like you would find Hrithik Roshan’s performance in Jodhaa Akbar to be exemplary. Hrithik was not even a tenth as good in Jodhaa Akbar as he was in some of his earlier movies like Koi Mil Gaya.
As for the music, Jodhaa Akbar is definitely not one of AR Rahman’s best efforts. The music never did anything for us. We’ve listened to the songs in several Hindi and Tamil movies where AR Rahman took credit for the music. Forget the summit, Jodhaa Akbar wouldn’t even figure among AR Rahman’s top 100.
Now to your Hollywood point – You are suggesting that since most Bollywood films are love stories, we shouldn’t expect high standards when it comes to action scenes. That’s a nonsensical defense of the amateurish standards in Bollywood movies. What’s wrong in expecting that the action scenes in Bollywood movies – whether it’s a fight with an elephant or a car chase – are as good as what you see in Hollywood films.
As for your juvenile remarks about Birbal, we prefer that you wallow in your ignorance.
We stand by our view that watching Jodhaa Akbar amounts to a waste of time and money.
Oh.. arent you polite. Thanks for returning the favor but once again, you were too busy looking up big words for insulting me to realize the difference between my post and yours. First of all you shouldnt even be talking about ignorance! No matter what anyone says, you will never even try to see thier point or respect their opinion. So there is no point in arguing with you. You can put who ever the hell you want in your “i like them the best” category. Some research of my own shows the credibility of your so called “unbiased” reviews from comments of several readers. Ill tell you what, my review of your site: TO A GREAT EXTENT UNPLEASANT, ERRONEIOUS, PREDISPOSED, BOORISH, TAWDRY, AND BIGOTED! enough big words for you big guy?? And you know what, dont even both replying because I simply dont have anymore time to waste on anyone who (A) disrespects commentators by saying they’re on dope and (B)cant take any criticism for their baseless opinions and comments. Also since you failed yet again to even try to get the facts about Birbal, I’m going to take your advice and Ignore you! You can talk to yourself all you like from now on! Take care 🙂
SearchIndia.com Responds:
You won’t be back? God, we hope you keep your promise. Good riddance to stinking rubbish.
You insult us because you were offended by our Jodhaa Akbar review & if we retaliate, you don’t have the courage to take that. What a weakling you are! We don’t need such lily-livered poltroons here. Go back to the cocoon of your cubicle. The real world is not for cowards like you.
You are right that several readers call us names. But keep in mind that we are dealing with a bunch of mindless, sycophantic fans a.k.a. ignoramuses who don’t like to see an alternative viewpoint and start off with insulting comments (like you did).
We are unfailingly polite unless provoked by insults in which case we do respond.
SearchIndia.com is one of the few sites that posts all strands of comments from readers however unpalatable we may find some of them.
We respect our readers and believe they have a right to their opinions. That is the reason you will find considerable criticism directed against us here. We never shy away fom posting even the most critical comments directed against us.
God forbid that you should ever start a blog. We are sure there will be only one point of view and you will preach only to the choir.
Once again, we fervently hope you’ll stick to your promise and stay away because we can’t stand queer specimens who won’t take criticism but yet expect others to swallow their mindless insults. 🙂
Hi SearchIndia,
I really love your reviews and love your brusque, to-the-point replies to the dull-witted readers, these amateurish a**holes who consider themselves connoisseurs, even more. They badly need it dude. So give it to them. I mean I regularly read reviews on other sites and no other site has the time or temerity to counter the garish, half-baked, arrogant and self-indulgent opinions of their readers who readily give themselves the right to bullshit the objective and intelligent reviews written by well-meaning professionals. These gauche movie-buffs, who quite often mistakes the bluster for genuine acting, do not know a thing about the intricacies and complexity of the art of filmmaking as they have been frogs couped up in the a stagnant and stinking well called ‘Indian Cinema’ for decades. It is high time someone like you with your candid reviews and remarks take these unexposed morons by the scruffs of their necks and make them see the difference between subtlety and spectacle; art and artificial; dead and alive. These scumbags are precisely the reason who made exhibitionists like Sharukhkhan, Salmankhan, Hrithik and rest of their ilk mega stars and effectively prevented Indian Cinema from even reaching the fringes of genuinne filmmaking. Please please keep it up and best of luck…..
Wow i dont think i have ever read such a response to the readers’ comments on any site. I’ll keep coming back to read more such responses. Keep it up I’ve come across very few politically incorrect blogs. BTW..i thought the Azeem O Shaan Shahenshah song was a Mughal take on the Republic Day parade !!
SearchIndia.com Responds:
We found your last sentence (Azeem O Shaan Shahenshah song was a Mughal take on the Republic Day parade) funny! Thanks. 🙂
your a bloody jackass, with negative understanding of cinema. I dont know your name and i dont even want to know it. your just a pseudointellectual hollywood obsessed freak. go watch the film again and take your brain this time. Maybe you’ll understand it then.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Dodo, from which Mumbai gutter did you spring from? By your existence, you’ve single-handedly lowered the collective IQ of Mumbai.
Just because you don’t like our Jodhaa Akbar Review, you’ve lost your marbles going by your vituperative rant against us.
We never said we disliked all Bollywood movies. There are a few fine exceptions like Taare Zameen Par and Cheeni Kum.
But you wouldn’t recognize taste if it hit you in the face. Now, get back to your gutter. Pronto.
The Man who wrote this review is out of his senses..!!!…go and get some brain and go watch again…I have seen this movie and this was one of the best movie I have ever seen….Magnificent, spectacular, marvelous….Read the reviews of Taran Adarsh and every other website on net…they have given it 4/5….A person like you named Nikhat has rated it with just 2 star on TOI website and just read what comments have viewers written there in reply…!!!…They asked Nikhat to get a new job….!!!..Just search the google with Jodha akbar reviews and you will find excellent and positive reviews my dear….And till now you must have realized that why I am saying this because this movies has grossed 17 crores in four days in India…!!!!… and its proving to be the biggest grosser in North America….And do you have any problem with Hrithik?…Man he was born to enact this role….I bet you this year Best actor filmfare will be fetched by Hrithik…Flawless Performance once again…Finest work from Hrithik so far….
I agree that Taare zameen par and cheeni kum were very good movies but this is completely different genre…And we should admire the work whole team has done….
And if you are alive then you must have seen great reviews the movies has been getting….So everybody can not be wrong…
So instead of asking Venil to go to gutter, you better keep your eye open while watching the movie….
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Schmuck, you expand the meaning of Dumb.
Obviously, you don’t think that reasonable people can have differing views on a movie and yet be civil.
By your reckoning we are out of our senses and brainless because our critical review of Jodhaa Akbar is not in sync with your views. Well, we think all the gray matter in your head is less than what a pin head can accommodate.
Let’s address your points now:
1. In general, Indian movie sites have an incestuous relationship with the Bollywood movie industry. Like Wall Street analysts, who rarely have a “Sell” Recommendation on stocks, Indian movie sites seldom say a movie is bad.
2. Just because some sites/reviewers describe Jodhaa Akbar as good, are we supposed to follow the herd even if we have a different opinion?
3. No, we don’t have any problems with Hrithik, only with his slothful disposition and failure to improve upon his craft. Hrithik’s last decent movie where he showed some signs of acting was Koi Mil Gaya.
4. We have no problems with Jodhaa Akbar grossing Rs 17 crore or Rs 1,700 crore. It still does not change our view that the movie is an epic bore.
Do you think the movie is an utter garbage? At least not a single plus point.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
As we mentioned in the review, costume design was very nice. For period movies like Jodhaa Akbar or Elizabeth (directed by Shekhar Kapoor) excellent costume design is a must. If you remember, Bhanu Athaiya won the Oscar for costume design for Gandhi in the 1980s.
We also referred to the the picturization for the Azeem O Shaan Shahenshah song as an elaborate and impressive affair.
Watching the ethereally beautiful Aishwarya Rai on screen is, of course, to marvel at the work of God. If only she possessed some acting talent.
Wow… such straight forward, Interesting… Its a relief to read a true review of each film/movie in this blog compared to other ‘very good’ comments/opinion created by huge fans of the actors/actresses in this film industry…
I really hope all of your good work in writing reviews will continue and help deliver the true quality of every film which hits the cinema…..
Wow! A reviewer replying back harder to anyone who questions his sense.
But seriously ur review sucks big time! Well its good enough, its ur thought but most of us also know that u are standing alone in a drowning boat! Most of the non Indian websites have praised this movie and liked what they saw, same with the public in US, may be a .000001 fraction of audience what we have for a Shahrukh or a hollywood film, but it was loved which mattered. And those (.0000001%) who didnt like the film, they liked the performances of the main as well the supporting cast. As for Hrithik looking like Birbal, well fine atleast u acknowledge that he looked like belonging to that era. But then u do put people away by ur arrogance and insipid, thoughtless reviews. FULL STOP.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Dummkopf, we don’t usually hit back at those who disagree with us, only those who have the temerity to abuse us just because we have a different viewpoint on Jodhaa Akbar, Billa or Azhagiya Tamil Magan.
The fact that we publish comments that are extremely critical of our reviews should tell you something, if only you could look beyond the end of your nose.
We stand by our view that most Bollywood movies are unwatchable horror shows and most Bollywood stars are complete strangers to the concept of acting.
SearchIndia, you’d let go of this getsetgo1 easily. You should have really given it to that idiot. It’s really mind boggling to know how deep Indian audiences’ ignorance is. Perhaps, we have to invent a word that is more intense than ‘ignorance’ to describe these guys. Seriously, it’s deeply disturbing to realize how DEAD we are intellectually. I am particulary at a loss to figure out the minds of these NRIs, who’ve been living in America, an intense cultural melting pot, for so many years, which have failed to evolute, failed to expand and failed to do such a simple thing as denouncing an artistic atrocity called ‘Jodhaa Akbar’. These simpletons, i feel, truly represent the apex of insensitivity,acute stupidity and extreme narrow-minded thinking. I think, their terrifying ‘artistic inclinations’ are symptomatic of a much deeper,uglier, profounder underlying cultural pathology, which would make an ideal study for an aspiring sociologist to write his thesis upon. God save our people.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Wow!
I really think the person who is writting these reviews have a problem when it comes to Indian movies…You must be kidding me bout jodhaa akbar..if u cannot appreciate a movie and the music of this movie am sorry to say this..u taste really sucks…pls stop writtng reviews like this and do something else …Hats off to
A.R rahman for this mindblowing music…
SearchIndia.com Responds:
For someone who can’t write a simple sentence without making multiple mistakes, you have a nerve telling us to stop “writting” reviews. You like Jodhaa Akbar. That’s fine with us. We thought it was yet another coma-inducing movie coming out of the Augean stables of Bollywood.
As we’ve said ad nauseum, ad infinitum, we have nothing against Indian movies. Only against bad Indian movies, which is say to say 99.9% of Indian movies. Why can’t our folks make movies that are at least one-hundredth as good as On the Waterfront, Pan’s Labyrinth, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Scarface or Memoirs of a Geisha.
“We stand by our view that most Bollywood movies are unwatchable horror shows and most Bollywood stars are complete strangers to the concept of acting.”
I wont mind the ugly things u say about me or we Indians and yes u ARAJ is included here..I knew it will be coming!
Better stop reviewing hindi films if u hate them so much as you have already set up a mind to throw trash on them.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Are you mentally handicapped or were you dropped on your head frequently when young?
We never said anything against Indians….Our review was critical of Jodhaa Akbar and most Bollywood movies in general.
Stop drawing ridiculous inferences.
Ya one more point I also belive that hollywood films are bigger and better when it comes to execution, U people have big money to invest in them where as Indian films cannot dream to spend that amount of money atleast in the near future.So its better u dont keep ur expectations too high.As for me abusing U please check my posts again, all the abuses were against ur reviews and not U in particular.And Araj thanks for calling me an IDIOT, an Idiot can only understand another Idiot.Thanks mate!
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Your logic is askew.
Money is not the main reason why our Bollywood movies are hideously bad. It’s the lack of imagination, inattention to the story, blind imitation (outright theft sometimes), fear of experimentation and audience inexposure (Since Indian movie-goers have little exposure to fine movies like Pan’s Labyrinth, Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, Brokeback Mountain etc, they think trash like Om Shanti Om, Welcome, Heyy Baby and Billa are the acme of movies).
How do you explain nice movies like Johnny Gaddaar and Manorama Six Feet Under that were made with relatively low budgets?
By your admission, Bollywood directors do a bad job in execution. So, why are they still charging $10 for admission? Next time, we go to a Bollywood movie in New Jersey or New York, we should probably ask for a discount since they do a bad job of execution (your point).
We think our Bollywood folks do a bad job overall, from conception to delivery.
your reply to getsetgo1 is right on spot. you summed it up pretty well there. BTW, Johnny Gaddar is an engaging film (seen it a couple of times)though very short on logic and you can feel it’s made by someone who really loves genuine filmmaking and knew the fundamentals of crafting a gripping screenplay. BTW, Manorama Six Feet Under is a virtual remake of China Town, a 70s crime thriller directed by Roman Polanski starring Jack Nicholson and Faye Dunaway. You can read its review at http://www.reelviews.net/movies/c/chinatown.html.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Yes, Manorama Six Feet Under is a clone of Chinatown (belonging to the so-called film noir genre) and we described it as such in our review a few months back. We recognized Chinatown in Manorama Six Feet Under just a few minutes into the movie. Still, it was one of those rare Bollywood lifts that had some merit in it unlike other ripoffs like Heyy Babyy or Partner.
Chinatown was one of our Netflix picks. We enjoyed the gripping story as well as fine performances by Jack Nicholson and Faye Dunaway.
See bro I don’t know how u r and I was here for some healthy discussion but u have constantly labeled me as a dummkopf,an idiot, a mentally handicapped person than why take the pain to answer me..I never hurled any abuse against you nor do I do it now,the supporting cast Araj did use “terrifying ‘artistic inclinations’ are symptomatic of a much deeper,uglier, profounder underlying cultural pathology” for the Indians and your response was a “WOW” to it.
By the way I don’t think u r famous enough for people to give importance to ur reviews,My mistake I considered it important.Its ur blog common u have the last word.Be happy I wont trouble u any more!Bye
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Ah, we’re not “famous enough” to meet your demanding expectations! India sure has plenty of idol worshippers, both the literal and figurative kind.
You must be an extremely arrogant person who thinks highly about himself.Arrogant to the extent of making derrogative statements about people who post their comments.Your mistaken if you think that you are just giving it back to them the right way…sorry it just goes to show that you dont have the nerve to take the comments in the right spirit. About you comments on jodhaa akbar…man i think you must have been fast asleep while watching the movie.as for the songs yes i definetly agree that this was not the best of rehman but i loved the jashn-e-bahaara and azeem o song.And dont ever compare hollywood and indian cinema and stop throwing your trash at indian movies.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
OK, Stalin.
As per your diktat, we are not supposed to compare Indian cinema with Hollywood.
We are not supposed to criticize bad Bollywood movies.
We are not supposed to respond to crass, vulgar, rude comments.
Are we at least allowed to have dinner tonight?
hey what rubbish
do u even know abt India
give me a break
at last our Indian movies have some reality
not like ur Hollywood .
this movie is purely gooodddddddddddddddddddddddd
and the music is osam
the best movie of the year 2008
SearchIndia.com Responds:
You write above – “and the music is osam”
Guess, we have to be thankful you didn’t say “the music is osama”
You nincompoop, get an education first before trashing our reviews.
Hello Reviewer,
I have not watched the movie, I was planning to. This is how my mind changed after reading the review.
After finishing the main review part:
My Mind: Man this must be a really cheezy Indian movie, I will probably wait for the DVD to see it later.
After reading the comments:
Many people have commented that the movie is good and the authors reply is harsh so may be he is biased or may be not.
This thought process made me decide that I must watch the movie to see how horrible it is or may be its just ok or is it a total waste of money.
I will definitely watch it at the first chance I get and will revisit your site to post my comments.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Are you an acolyte of Leopold von Sacher-Masoch?
Jodhaa Akbar is not the exception but the norm in Bollywood movies.
Anyway, we look forward to seeing your comments here. 🙂
I don’t have any problem with people who liked Jodhaa Akbar but I personally didn’t enjoy it. There were times when I felt really restless through the movie. I watched this movie in India after listening to the big hype on the news channel, Channel V, MTV, interviews with Hritik, Aishwariya and Ashutosh that this movie is something that can be compared to Hollywood movies like Gladiator, Troy and 300 but unfortunately it wasn’t 1% close. There is no comparison at all. Acting was ok except that of Sonu Sood who I thought was excellent. Action scenes were just about ok especially the climax fight between Hritik and his brother in law which was compared to Brad Pitt’s fight with Eric Bana in Troy’s climax. Overall boring experience, for me personally.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
When there is so much hype, there is also so much expectation. With Jodhaa Akbar, the hiatus between rhetoric and reality was too vast.
Me again, did a little digging. Looked at IMDB for Jodhaa Akbar and http://imdb.com/title/tt0449994/ratings indicates that out of 1147 people on IMDB 60% liked it. If we consider them as hardcore fans then lets look at people who have rated above average say 6-8 they total to 322 which is 28% and people who rated from 2-4 are only 61 which is only 5.3% Even if we add absolute haters its coming upto 121 which is around 10% so people who rated the movie as good are twice than people who rated it below average and as horrible so popular vote says the movie is ok and watchable to me but could you give your opinion on this please. Please do not say all of them are stupid as I am only counting people who I think are not extreme. I would genuinely would like to know your opinion.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Our below note is not a direct response to your above comment but should give you a sense of our thinking on the points you raise.
Two of the ugliest Bollywood movies we’ve seen are Partner (lift of Hitch) and Heyy Babyy (copy of Three Men and a Baby).
Both Partner and Heyy Babyy went on to become hits.
De gustibus non est disputandum.
Sorry to be spamming your blog. Nothing else to do today :). I looked at IMDB for both Partner and Hey Babyy both scored 5.2 and 5.7 stars which is an indication of bad movies any movie above 7 is good in general. So your judgment of those movies is very accurate and your review would be in sync with general movie goers. Please do not be mad at me as I am referring IMDB here as it has a very nice rating analyzer.
My point here is if you were in sync with reviewing other movies you specified here why are you differing in opinion to this particular movie (Jodaa Akbar).
Thank you for accepting my comments and taking time to answer them.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
1. If you are making a veiled suggestion that we have a vested interest or bias, our response is No. We have no skin in the game.
2. IMDB is fairly decent. But even good tools can be subverted. Have you heard of the concept of carpetbombing in the context of PR manipulation?
3. We thought Partner and Heyy Babyy were bad and you say that we’re in sync with the IMDB rating. But the movies turned out to be hits, which means they found favor with the people.
Movie notwithstanding your reviews and retorts are rib-tickling humor!
We agree with your review 99%. The 1% disagreement is due to the blunt remark on A.R.Rahman. The music is definitely not his most innovative and original ones, and maybe cliched too; but ONLY going by Rahman’s standards. The music is no way short of heart-warming and soul entertaining. I’d never discourage people from buying Jodhaa Akbar music, simply because the underlying Rahman talent is a sure-shot paisa vasool.
Do u want to reconsider the music review?
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Compared to his earlier work in movies like Roja, Kadhalan and Bombay, A.R.Rahman in Jodhaa Akbar is a big letdown.
Hi
i don’t want to say anything about Jodha Akbar or your review but i just want to ask about ajay devgan,i mean according to you how will you rate him as an actor and i hope that you have seen his movies Company,The legend of bhagat singh,Zakham and Gangajaal and if you have not seen them,i will advice you to see them.
i hope you reply at the earlist and also see the movies on dvd
SearchIndia.com Responds:
We have seen Ajay Devgan in Omkara, Ram Gopal Varma Ki Aag, Kaal, Raju Chacha, Hum Kisise Kum Nahin etc but not the ones you mention above. Based on the movies we’ve watched, Ajay Devgan strikes us as yet another lazy Bollywood star who does not take his craft seriously. In Omkara, Saif Ali Khan made mincemeat of Ajay Devgan.
Please try to see even one of the movie among Company,The legend of bhagat singh, Zakham and Gangajaal and you will come to know about his acting talent,he is widely regarded as one of the best actors of the industry and these are some of the best performances of bollywood. I hope see them.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
OK.
so,when will you watch it and you are right about one thing that shahrukh is the worst overrated clown of bollywood
SearchIndia.com Responds:
We notice that all three Ajay Devgan movies you recommend Company, Zakhm and Gangaajal are available at Netflix although there is a short wait for Zakhm. Hopefully, we should be able to watch them soon.
hope u see them and also the legend of bhagat singh
I respect your ideas and may be you are so pissed with Indian movies that you “trash” them so badly, but I guess you dont have to reply to people’s comments so badly. If people reply dirtily, just try to explain yourself; if they reply again, just let it be. You dont have to stoop down to their level and justify to them. Please try to refrain from dirty language.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
1. Thank you, Mahatma. The next time someone abuses us on one of our reviews/posts, we’ll ask them for more whippings.
2. We notice that Indians in general have low tolerance for alternative viewpoints.
3. With few exceptions, most Indian movies (Hindi and Tamil) are indeed trash. That is because most stars and filmmakers don’t take their craft seriously. These days, acting (like politics) is becoming a family affair with the result that buffoons like Abhishek Bachchan have entered the profession.
I wanted to actually post this comment on the Anjappar review. But thts fine. As long as the message reaches you, doesnt matter where u read it.
I dont like watching many movies and i am also a firm believer in service, quality and ambience. There are still some friends who dont come out with me to any restraunts because of my intolerance to few basics.
I have complained about Palace of Asia’s bad service towards especially south indians directly to Nick Manickshah, i have raised voice towards Moksha’s staff when they served fish to us – we are pure vegeterians, and didnt care to apologise and on top it they gave us a generous ‘10% discount’ for their mistake.
At some point we all crib and complaint about many things and for you the tolerance level is way too low. More than tolerance i should say, respecting fellow human being and their feelings.
I have never come accross a decent website with such a harsh comments with a very abusive language and claiming that as freedom of speech. You have so much of hatred and unhappiness and you dont shy about letting others know about it.
Many start a business, some florish some dont. It could be for many reasons. If you are not happy, the best you could do is reflect in few decent words than being so abusive. Many new comers will have a starting trouble, probably thts what they are going through. Do you even have any idea about Anjappar? It is very easy to redicule on anything, but given the same chance to you with the same time span, you would have done worse than this.
I dont like Tanjore, that doesnt mean they dont have good food. We never had a good experience whenever we order a take out. Either they forget few items and if everything is there the food is salty. This will not and should not prompt me to go bash them out in a blog. Same with Swagath, many a times the Vada wouldnt have cooked thoroughly. My better half is a big fan of Swagath but not me. All i am trying to say is things happen, and if we are the ones to suffer yes this hurts.
Same with the movies, i like lots of serious and classical movies, where as the common man’s reason to watch a movie is to unwind. It could be just a time pass or it could be mainly for the lead actors. doesnt matter how they perform or whether story is logically picturised. Stop praising hollywood movies in this forum or change the website name to something else.
I also have a question to you. How come you write so many comments on different restraunts from different states? Do you go to different states just to taste the food and inspect the business? You are a food critic or confused individual. Many of your views are very abusive and please refrain from such comments.
You have a style, very gifted and please make use of it in a positive way. Just remember – To err is human. No man is perfect and that includes you.
I would recommend you to visit Anjappar again after some days and write a decent comment, if not positive. Every one deserve a better chance and when u have the advantage of reaching out to the public. Do not let that get to your head and loose control of yourself.
Shahrukh might be a clown but you need to accept he has a charm. I like Ajay Devgan and he potrays well in serious roles.
Continue your work but with a level headed. Use this bolg and trash out the Indian consulting companies. I like reading Goolti.com, very subtle but clear. Hope you will continue this work with a very positive approach.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
From your incoherent rant above, it seems like you are suffering from a really bad case of logorrhea.
Anjappar is NOT a newcomer to the restaurant business. Those fellows have been doing this for decades and have NO excuse for the shoddy service and bad food. The Anjappar Chettinad restaurant folks in New Jersey should be ashamed of themselves.
So, why are you defending the indefensible? Any vested interests?
Learn to post in the appropriate category in future.
hehehe …. that’s why i love your site…you guys have the knack of spotting the real ‘intent’ in which a comment is written and reply accordingly….though couched in a mushy and amateurish diplomatic tongue, Ineeya Indian’s post is as abusive, presumptuous and stupid like that of some of our friends here and you guys gave him a succinct but a sharp reply…….very seldom you come across a blog, which has such a intuitive understanding of the things but can also put it across to its readers in such a hilarious and ribald tone ….I know it takes some sensitivity to dishonesty and hypocrisy to come up with such dead-straight reviews/replies….keep up the good work guys…..
did you watch of of the movies of ajay that i advised?
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Not yet, buddy. It’s on our to-do list. We’ll get to it.
ok
Hey I read your review before watchin the movie,was really disappointed wat u wrote for jodha akbar. Being a journalist cant digest your views wthout watching the film. I was seriously distracted in the theatre as ur review was revolving around n its true i dint like it either. I feel its just a fiction not a real story of Akbar as many characters included in the movie was surprizingly not at all mentioned in the history! Comparatively Mughal-e-azam was an excellent movie I hav ever seen, wat do u think?
SearchIndia.com Responds:
No, we have not seen the old Mughal-e-azam though we may have listened to the songs from the movie.
Wat would you say about Amir Khan’s comment on Sharukh, he made during the promotional event of Samsung in Mumbai. As he said Sharukh has to come in the second position always! Looking forward for your article on this…Do reply.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Looks like a case of Khan-Baiting or is it Khan Biting?
You know what, we’d like see Aamir Khan take a breather from his Khan-baiting and Bachchan-baiting and challenge Narendra Modi to a debate on the slaughter of Muslims in Gujarat. Think that’ll ever happen?
I was actually planning to watch this film at the cinemas. But I have a strong inkling that I won’t enjoy it. Probably because Aishwarya and Hrithik are the leads, and I don’t have very much patience for them. I’ll post back once I actually see the film.
Can you tell me what is the popularity of Sachin Tendulkar In usa and canada please truthfully?
SearchIndia.com Responds:
We’ve rarely heard any of our friends here talk about Sachin Tendulkar. By the way, we watched Gangaajal (based on your recommendation) and found it to be one of the better Bollywood movies.
That might be because of less popularity of cricket in usa,i guess that sachin[the legand] is not popular and i am happy that you like gangajaal and how was ajay’s acting and i also hope that you watch other movies of ajay as well.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Gangaajal was good overall and we enjoyed watching it – tight script, decent acting by Ajay Devgan and his co-stars, interesting story and a competent director. We hope to watch Zakhm and Company soon.
ok,and alos the legend of bhagat singh.ajay got national award for this and zakhm
i think you should watch black and white,excellent acting by anil and anurag
It seems like you have moved onto other topics. But I just have to note this. Jodhaa Akbar mesmerized me (mostly). A very entertaining movie. Great music, colors, jewelry and of course pretty actors. It is too long and could have ended at the time jodhaa came back to the court with something from the narrator about Akbar’s later greatness. War scenes in the beginning could have been shorter. but what i most admired was the lyrical presentation of the love story. It showed how love could happen in different ways than in the western world. I liked that Hrithik Roshan did not over-acted like most of the Bollywood actors. His actions were controlled and mostly communicated through eyes. But the most important thing was the message. At a time we hear so much crap about Muslim people, here is a positive portrayal (highly romanticized version of the actual story, no doubt). But for me, a Sri Lankan (not a Muslim), coming to this without baggage, I thought the movie would be great for western people to see. I am infact going to recommend to my students in a liberal arts college in the east coast to see this movie.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
You write above – I am infact going to recommend to my students in a liberal arts college in the east coast to see this movie.
Go ahead, your American students need a good laugh.
Luckily I didn’t have high expectations! In my opinion neither Hrithik nor Aishwarya Rai were outstanding in their respective roles. In fact whilst watching the film I could picture other actors in Ash’s and Hrithik’s role who could’ve performed better. I cannot even begin to understand how this film came from the same director who brought us a wonder like Lagaan! What really disappointed me though was Rahman’s music. I had such high expectations for the music. I was deeply disappointed.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
You write above – In my opinion neither Hrithik nor Aishwarya Rai were outstanding in their respective roles….What really disappointed me though was Rahman’s music.
Join the overflowing crowd of Jodhaa Akbar disappointees (does this word exist?).
hello all
I must admit this is the first chance I have had to see this movie, and i take it for what it was, an adaptation of what may have been.I have since been on the internet to learn more about this man…no not the actor but the man himself Akbar…well done to the actors and directors/producers because you bring to life history that we forget..no choose to forget but lucky for me, my mother, has instilled in me to learn about the Indian history and I tell you all something its facsinating..did you know Akbar went to visit the sikh gurus and was told to take langar before he met with the guru, did you know that before you decide to ‘darshan’ in the gurdwara you must take langar… that is what the gurus wanted, people you forget that these types of movies aren’t about the actors and how they come across to you low lifes but the history they teach..I am so intrigued by it all that I will spend more time learning about this amazing country and ensure that I learn enough to pass to my kids the way my mother has passed onto me….Oh and for wasting my time during the EASTER break… no it was time well spent believe you me…Presidents day what the hell is that!!!!
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Your mother did a bad job. She forgot to teach you good manners. Otherwise you wouldn’t be calling us low lifes in your above comment. Begone, you scumbag.
and you say I don’t have good manners…..’scumbag’ is classed as good manners!!…talk about having freedom of speech!…reading all your replies….I’m wondering who needs to be taught manners.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
1. Schmucko, do you know the meaning of Freedom of Speech ? Did we censor your comment when you called us “low lifes” or gave us a pompous lesson on the importance of history. No. We posted your comment verbatim. And that is Freedom of Speech. Don’t use expressions you don’t understand. Freedom of Speech in our dictionary is not turning the other cheek when we are slapped around.
2. Why did you have to trigger our endorphins by calling us low lifes?
Hey Searchindia, BTW I watched Jodha Akbar and bought the DVD. Comments are not ment personally to you, I assumed there was a responsible, mature person criticing these films, but clearly your language and answers to all the comments reflect you to be very immature thoughtless. Your website claims:
“Comments on the SearchIndia.com Blog:
We appreciate your visit to SearchIndia.com.
We usually process most comments promptly except that those we consider unacceptable (vulgar, racist, abusive, legally objectionable and malicious attacks on SearchIndia.com fall in this category).”
I hope you will apply the same standards to your comments in future.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
You are a blithering idiot to comment on movies without even watching them, which is what you first did with Jodhaa Akbar.
And you now have the audacious temerity to use big words like responsible, mature etc. Go away, you nitwit.
Hey, by the way you never answered our question of whether you were on dope.
Although i often agree with search india’s film reviews (many have been spot on), i feel that they should temper their language when responding to negative responses to their reviews. I know it cannot be easy, as some movies are such nightmares that u often wonder how they can even be passed off as movies, but i strongly believe for search india’s views and reviews to be appreciated they should be more open and eloquent to differeing opinions, as this will only lend weight to their efforts. As for the 3 hour and 20min snooze fest called JA, the less said the better. Bad acting, bad scripting, horrendous editing, poor directing, etc…. Ashutosh needs to take a break. one cannot even compare it to Mughal-E-Azam as JA does not even feature in it’s class or category. The only thing that JA will be remebered for is that it is 3 hours and 20 min long.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
We accept all strands of opinions except for the venomous filth that comes our way from some star-struck fans.
“We stand by our view that watching Jodhaa Akbar amounts to a waste of time and money.”
Are you sure it’s “we” and not just “you”, because I’m pretty sure a group of people could not have such a dislike toward a film that not only has been tremendously appreciated worldwide, but has also sweeped all the best film awards and best director awards as well as won all the Best Actor awards for Hrithik Roshan.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
‘We’ (as in the royal We) are not impressed. Aishwarya Rai is truly hopeless in the acting department.
Indian Awards mean nothing. In our view, they are not credible.
If Woody Allen were around, he’d probably say 99.99% of success in Bollywood is showing up.
Hey I didn’t think this film had AWFUL music.. well atleast not all the songs were bad.. I liked Kwaja mere Kwaja n Azeem o Shann(the latter for its beats)… yet to see the picturisation of Azeem o Shann though..!!!