Jodhaa Akbar

Jodhaa Akbar is a 2008 Indian Hindi-language epic historical drama 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 fictional life and love between the Muslim Emperor Akbar of the 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).

Jodhaa Akbar was released theatrically worldwide on 15 February 2008. Upon release, it was a critical and commercial success and became the fourth highest-grossing Hindi film of 2008.

Jodhaa Akbar won the Audience Award for Best Foreign Language Film at the São Paulo International Film Festival and two awards at the Golden Minbar International Film Festival. At the 56th National Film Awards, it won two awards for Best Choreography (Chinni Prakash and Rekha Prakash for "Azeem-o-Shaan Shahenshah") and Best Costume Design (Neeta Lulla). At the 54th Filmfare Awards, it received 11 nominations and won 5 awards, including Best Film, Best Director (Gowariker) and Best Actor (Roshan). It also won 10 International Indian Film Academy Awards and 7 Star Screen Awards, in addition to two nominations at the 3rd Asian Film Awards.

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 be allowed to practice her religion even after her wedding, and that a Hindu temple be built for her at the Agra fort. 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.