rude or cute.. any man wont let his ego down infront of an rebellian women. and jodha always gives him tough times.. well as of cute, i guess he had been using this cute taunts since they left to ajmer.. and jodha was about to give up her life, that did make him think over his reactions [ that can be one of the reasons for your question ].
then he never did get a chance of being this close to her! did he? whenever he is, he makes sure he gives her tough time just the way she does. but he comes back to his "rude" behaivior whenever she denies him [ which he strongly dislikes at certain things which he deliberately want her to co-operate with him]
any other time he has and have been this cute taunt to her! π
well thats my opinion though..