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Ashutosh Gowariker tells Subhash K. Jha that he made his period drama Jodhaa Akbar after thorough research
The release of Jodhaa Akbar was marked by protests in Rajasthan, Bihar, Gujarat and Gurgaon. Protesters alleged that Gowariker had distorted history. Defending himself against protesters who alleged that he had taken liberties with historical accounts, Gowariker said: "I think you’ve to follow your heart. Of course, we must go back into the past, but after thorough research. I don’t think there’s any substitute for research." The director said he did his best to go by the book while making the film. "I consulted some of the best historians and went through the most rigorous research. And there are different names used for Akbar’s wife, Jodhaa being one of them. My imagination helped while describing what happened between Jodhaa and Akbar in the privacy of their chamber. There I had to get creative since no one knew what actually happened," Gowariker explained.
Excerpts: Having made a film that does history proud, how do you feel about these protests? These are sporadic incidents that appear much larger than they really are. While making the film, I did my best to go by the book. I consulted the best historians and went through the most rigorous research. And there are different names used for Akbar’s wife, Jodhaa being one of them. In fact, there’s a disclaimer about the Rajput queen’s name in the beginning of the film and to see that, the protesters have to see the film. Most protests in our country are premature and based on insubstantial evidence. I want to say to people in the country and abroad that I’ve done deep research. Even secondary characters like Shariffuddin, Bairam Khan and Mahamanga, which some critics have found filmy, are founded in history. That climactic combat between Akbar and Shariffuddin that I’ve shown really took place. Should filmmakers stay away from historicals? No. We must make what we’ve to make, fearless of repercussions. I think you’ve to follow your heart. Of course, we must go back into the past, but after thorough research. I don’t think there’s any substitute for research. Since we’re a multi-cultural and religious nation there’re bound to be questions about historical movies. We must be ready and equipped to handle these. I just hope more and more people come and see Jodhaa Akbar. The reports so far are very encouraging. What I want now is for the film to release in Rajasthan. Jodhaa Akbar belongs to Rajasthan. Let them see the movie. Do you think the protests are politically motivated? I wouldn’t know. But it’s a part of the Rajput community that’s protesting against my film. So I’ve reason to believe the Rajputs are offended. I want to tell them that history books have given several names to the queen. I used the most popular of those names. But why focus on this issue? My intention was to show how the Rajputs made a difference to Mughal history. Did you anticipate such loud protests? Honestly, I did. After the release of Ketan Mehta’s Mangal Pandey, there were protests about how he was depicted. So I feared this would happen. Unlike my protagonists in Lagaan and Swades, Jodhaa and Akbar were real people. I delved into Rajput and Mughal history and prepared as much as I could. I also approached Jaipur royalty to get the facts, customs and traditions right. Where did your imagination come in? My imagination came in while describing what happened between Jodhaa and Akbar in the privacy of their chamber. There I had to get creative since no one knew what actually happened. That artistic licence apart, I haven’t been jingoistic or fanciful in depicting history. In fact, I’ve been careful in preserving Rajput pride and dignity. The film’s length is seen as detrimental to its full impact and enjoyment? I was never calculating the length. I was only making my film. My earlier edited cut was 3 hours 40 minutes. I finally cut it by 20 minutes more, and no one persuaded me to do so. Jodhaa Akbar is definitely in the epic-romance historical genre. Its length is dictated by the genre. Tomorrow, if I make a comedy, I promise you it would be much shorter. I know some people might find the length daunting. But I’m convinced they will finally find it captivating and enchanting. So far, I’m extremely happy with the response. It could’ve been far less positive considering the inbuilt constraints of the historical genre. No one has complained about the way Mughal culture has been portrayed. Are you going to apologise to the protesters? I don’t even know what they’re protesting about. So the question of an apology doesn’t arise. Please read the history texts. Among others, Muni Lal in Akbar has called the princess Jodha Bai. This film turned me into a voracious history student. That’s quite something for someone who has never been interested in history. — IANS
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Filmmaker
