Royal release
Rani Padmini, who is a direct descendent of Jodhabai will be releasing the music of Jodhaa Akbar in the city tomorrow
royal rumble: Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai in Jodhaa Akbar |
To Ashutosh Gowariker goes the credit for breaking the mould with every film. Even his earlier attempts Pehla Nashaa and Baazi were not quite the expected. Post Lagaan and Swades, Ashutosh has chosen to do a Mughal historical.
With the release of Jodhaa-Akbar on February 15 commercial Hindi cinema could enter a serious new phase. There's no fear of the unknown in the clear-headed director as he awaits the junta's verdict from his bed, where he's resting his back as per doctor's orders.
Have you injured your back?
No I strained my back while lifting a heavy bag.
Did the bag contain Hrithik?
(laughs) Well Hrithik, Aishwarya and I have certainly been carrying an awesome burden on our shoulders. I'd like to compare my struggle of releasing Jodhaa-Akbar to a video game where you play the first level very easily. As you go to other levels, the game gets complicated.
What's the truth about Hrithik and Aishwarya not publicising Jodhaa-Akbar?
Not true at all. We now have a publicity plan for them. It had to be aligned to the music and film release.
And what about the stories of them not getting along?
Absolutely untrue! Aishwarya and Hrithik get along really well. Even at the wrap-up party they were fine with each other. There was no rivalry between them.
Did Abhishek ever drop in?
Only when he was shooting in Karjat next door for that song in Ram Gopal Varma's Aag. Even then he'd drop in before the shooting started, have chai and leave. I just want to say both Hrithik and Aishwarya were extremely dedicated professional and sensible. They knew exactly what they had to do. It wasn't as if they were shocked by getting into a period piece.
After Dhoom 2 it must have been tough for them to get into the Moghul era.
Yes, but even for Dhoom 2 they had to assume an alien body language and personality. In Jodhaa-Akbar too, they've worked to create a new persona. That couldn't have happened if they weren't focused.
Is it true you're cutting two of the songs?
No. We recorded five songs and we've retained them all. I treasure every song that I record and wouldn't dream of cutting them for length. Even if we had nine songs only two would wind their way into the charts. Though we've five songs I've worked on making each hummable.
But are they targeted at the youngsters?
I'd say the film comes first. Whatever emerges from it should be suitably marketed. The music of Jodhaa-Akbar can't be bhangra and hip-hop. Just because the film has Aishwarya, please don't expect an introductory song-and-dance. It's not a star vehicle. It's about the characters. I'm showcasing Jodhaa and Akbar.
Is it true that a company dumped the music of Jodhaa-Akbar?
We were looking at an association with Big Music but we didn't agree on the music rights issue, so we parted. UTV Music, a label that Ronnie Screwvala wanted to start later this year, is being launched in a hurry to release our Jodhaa-Akbar music. We're having the music release function on January 9. The Maharani of Jaipur, Rani Padmini, who's a direct descendent of Jodhabai; and her husband are flying down to release the music.
When is the film releasing?
We were very keen on January 25. But because of my back problem I was told to be in bed for 21 days. I couldn't go to Chennai for the background score. A R Rahman had to travel down to Mumbai. That delayed things quite a bit. So my cabin in office was being used to prepare the background score. That was most inconvenient. Now we're coming on February 15. At the moment that's the date.
A Valentine release for co-stars who aren't the least attached to one another?
(laughs) That sounds like a good idea for an intensely romantic film. So far we've been looking at festival weeks to release Jodhaa-Akbar… Eid, then Independence Day… Now any Friday when it releases is celebration week.
0