MARWAR - the magazine that inspires Excellence

Historians agree that the classical 16th century marriage of alliance between the Mughal Emperor Jalaluddin Mohammad Akbar and the daughter of King Bharmal of Amer was a recorded chapter in history. But there is speculation till today that her name was not Jodhaa. Some said her name was Harkha Bai, others called her Hira Kumari and yet others said it was Jiya Rani, Maanmati and Shaahi Bai.

Over the centuries though, her name has reached the common man as Jodhaa Bai.But what's in a name? say's director Ashutosh Gowariker, celebrating the historical union between two cultures and religions in his forthcoming visual extravaganza... Jodhaa Akbar

This epic romance begins as a marriage of political gain between the Great Emperor Akbar and the fiery Rajput princess, Jodhaa. When Akbar accepts the marriage proposal, little does he know that in his efforts to strengthen his relations with the Rajputs, he would in turn be embarking on a new journey — the journey of true love.

From the battlefield where the young Jalaluddin was crowned, through the conquests that won him the title of Akbar the Great, to winning the love of the beautiful Jodhaa, Jodhaa Akbar traces the impressive graph of the mighty emperor and his romance with the defiant princess.

With Hrithik Roshan as Akbar and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan as Jodhaa, the film is produced by Ronnie Screwvala and Ashutosh Gowariker.

* Costumes designed by Neeta Lulla for the whole cast's look — Hrithik, Aishwarya and the soldiers.

* Locations in Rajasthan including Dulha, Sambar, Amer Palace, Jaipur Palace, to name a few.

* Hrithik's face and body language; Aishwarya's regal elegance.

Always fascinated by the era of kings and queens, Ashutosh Gowariker was first introduced to the world of valour and bravado through his readings of the popular Amar Chitra Kathas. With this vision in mind, was conceived the magnum opus Jodhaa Akbar. The story of the film was narrated to Gowariker by screenplay writer Haider Ali in 2002. The trigger point for Gowariker taking up the story was when Ali pointed out that in the film Mughal-e-Azam, the main focus was so much on Salim and Anarkali that nobody asked one fundamental question: How did Jodhaa marry Akbar despite their religious and cultural divide? Gowariker saw an interesting story there that needed to be told.