Jodhaa Akbar

Story:

Jodhaa Akbar is a 2008 Indian Hindi-language epic historical romantic drama musical film directed by Ashutosh Gowariker. It stars Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in the titular roles. Set in the 16th century, the film shows the life and love between the Muslim Emperor Akbar of Mughal Empire and a Hindu Princess Jodhaa Bai of Amber, and their political marriage. A. R. Rahman composed the musical score which proved to be critically and commercially successful. The film marks the second collaboration between Roshan and Rai Bachchan after Dhoom 2 (2006).

PLOT

Jalaluddin, the underage emperor of the Mughal Empire is taught by Bairam Khan to rule mercilessly, killing defeated opponents after a battle. Years later, after another battle, an adult Jalaluddin defies Bairam Khan for the first time, deciding that mercy, respect and diplomacy will be his way forward.
Jodhaa, daughter of Raja Bharmal of the Amber State, is betrothed to Prince Ratan Singh of Ajabgarh. Raja Bharmal announces that his son Bhagwant Das would be his heir and Sujamal, Jodhaa’s cousin, whom she wants to be the king’s heir instead of Bhagwant Das, will have to work under him. Sujamal, who is deprived of his rightful throne, angrily leaves the kingdom to join Sharifuddin Hussain, Jalaluddin’s brother-in-law, who has his own ambition of becoming emperor. Raja Bharmal makes a peace offering to Jalaluddin, proposing to strengthen relations by his daughter’s marriage to the emperor himself. Jalaluddin agrees, but this breaks Bharmal’s alliance with the other kings of Rajputana, including Rana Uday Singh. Jodhaa resents being reduced to a political pawn. She writes a letter to Sujamal, requesting him to rescue her, but doesn’t send it.

Jodhaa requests a meeting with Jalaluddin and demands that she shall be allowed to practice her religion even after her wedding, and that a Hindu temple be built for her at the Agra fort.[11] To her surprise, Jalaluddin agrees. After their marriage, Jodhaa acts reluctant with Jalaluddin and they do not consummate their marriage. He assures Jodhaa that they will let things fall into place.
The emperor’s foster brother Adham Khan, the son of Jalaluddin’s nurse and nanny, Maham- Anga, murders Jalaluddin’s prime minister Atgah Khan to prevent his own war crimes from being exposed. In a fit of rage, Jalaluddin has Adham executed by throwing him down from the palace roof, unaware of Jodhaa watching. The scene has her torn between fearing Jalaluddin’s violence and respecting his passionate love for justice.

Maham Anga despises Jodhaa. She conspires to destroy Jalaluddin’s marriage, humiliating Jodhaa in front of him. She finds the letter Jodhaa had written to Sujamal and has it sent, and when Sujamal comes to meet Jodhaa secretly, she insinuates to Jalaluddin that Jodhaa went to meet her lover. Jalaluddin sends his men to arrest Sujamal, who thinks Jodhaa has betrayed him, and flees. Jalaluddin sends Jodhaa back to Amber. Jodhaa does not give an explanation, indignant at her character being questioned. Later Jalaluddin finds out the truth and goes to Amber, apologises to Jodhaa, and asks her to come back, but she refuses. Instead, Jodhaa tells him to investigate the working of his relations and empire.

Jalaluddin returns and travels through the common folk in disguise to understand the problems of his people better. That is when he realizes that the citizens are not happy with the Mughal rule because of discriminatory pilgrimage tax on non Muslims. Jalaluddin abolishes it and announces that every religion has its rights in his empire.This impresses Jodhaa, who comes back to him. His citizens bestow him with the title of Akbar(the great one). During a celebration, an assassin sent by Sharifuddin Hussain shoots a poisoned arrow at Akbar. Jodhaa helps nurse Akbar back to health and the pair genuinely fall deeply in love.

Sujamal, Sharifuddin Hussain, and his allies march to attack Amber. After Sujamal overhears Sharifuddin plotting an assassination attempt on the emperor, he quickly leaves to warn Akbar of this conspiracy. Sharifuddin’s soldiers chase Sujamal and shoot him with arrows Before dying, he manages to warn the emperor of the attack. Akbar defeats Sharifuddin in hand-to-hand combat, and then spares his life for the sake of his half-sister Bakshi Banu Begum, but not before stripping him of his title of Viceroy of Ajmer and Nagaur. Eventually, Akbar proclaims that Hindustan will be a peaceful and prosperous land if people respect and honour each other’s religions. The film ends with a voiceover saying that although their love is not given significant importance, Jodhaa and Akbar have silently created history together.