Screwvala: Rang De.. not a benchmark for Jodhaa Akbar
by: Renuka Vyavahare
- indiatimes.com
UTV has tasted some international success in the recent past. While 'Rang De Basanti' got selected as India’s official entry to the Oscars last year, 'Life in a Metro' proved to be the first-ever Indian film to be premiered at the Leicester Square in London! Also 'The Namesake' fetched in global acclaim.
With next year’s biggest release 'Jodhaa Akbar' all set to hit the theatres on Jan 25, 2008, Indiatimes Movies got talking with the Founder/Chairman of UTV and producer of this epic tale, Ronnie Screwvala on the occasion of the film’s theatrical trailer launch in Mumbai to get some right facts and figures about the film...
After RDB’s official entry at the Oscars and Life in a Metro’s roaring international success, what records have you planned to break with Jodhaa Akbar?
Jodhaa Akbar is a once in a lifetime film. It is an epic love story made especially for the younger generation and is an untold story of Jodhaa and Akbar. The grandeur, the sets, costumes, story, performances, direction... everything is simply spectacular and thus we are quite confident that people will appreciate our efforts. Having said that, Rang De Basanti and Life in a Metro are blockbusters but we haven’t set them as the benchmark for Jodhaa Akbar. Jodhaa Akbar is global in its appeal. It’s a western film.
What was your first reaction when Ashutosh approached you for this film?
He gave me the script; I read it and gave him a call at 3 in the morning to confirm my presence in the project. The film is basically a love story with the backdrop of a war. The film traces the love and life journey of Mughal emperor Akbar and his Rajput Hindu wife Jodhaa. Their life from the age of 13 till they are 28 is what is portrayed on screen. ‘Alliance’ marriages are common in India and how love evolves between such couple is the story of Jodhaa Akbar.
How has the chemistry between Hrithik and Ash shaped up?
Their chemistry is the USP of this film. They don’t look Hrithik or Ash but they look Jodhaa and Akbar in the film.
Considering the film’s ‘historic’ genre, how much research was conducted and how factual is the film?
Every historical film needs fair amount of research and so was the case of Jodhaa Akbar. The director and story writer have made sure that the film is factually correct.
The film looks highly expensive thus leading to loads of anxiety in the media to know about the film’s budget.
I wont say the film’s budget is 40 crores or not but it is definitely expensive. You can tell it yourself after having a look at the trailer.
The film was supposed to release this year. Why the delay?
The film is huge in terms of everything. Story, star cast, grandeur... we needed at least 4-5 months of good marketing before the film’s release thus the delay. We didn’t want to unnecessarily hurry. Also now luckily the film is releasing on Jan 25, the day Rang De Basanti was released two years back. So we are glad.
Related Links:
10/10/07 Jodhaa Akbar Promo is Simply 'Azeem-o-Shaan'
10/10/07 1125 prints of Jodhaa-Akbar's theatrical trailer?
10/10/07 Abhishek gets exclusive peek at 'Jodhaa-Akbar' promos
10/10/07 Jodhaa Akbar's promo goes to theaters independently
10/10/07 Cool winter releases! - rediff.com
10/10/07 'Jodhaa Akbar' for 80 crores? - indiafm.com
09/28/07 'Jodhaa-Akbar' to finally release in January
09/18/07 Ash works overtime to complete 'Jodhaa-Akbar' - ians
09/18/07 Low-fat food for Hrithik & Aishwarya!
09/18/07 25th January, 2008 - indiafm.com
09/17/07 Gemboree at Karjat! - mumbaimirror.com
09/17/07 Late-lateef Rahman! - mid-day.com
08/03/07 Pulling double duty - mumbaimirror.com
07/29/07 Jodhaa-Akbar confirmed for October 12th - indiafm.com
07/12/07 'Jodhaa-Akbar' to wrap by end of July - mid-day.com
06/28/07 'Jodhaa Akbar' is not postponed - indiafm.com
