The Hindu : Front Page : Jodhaa Akbar released worldwide but not in Jodhaa’s land

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Jodhaa Akbar released worldwide but not in Jodhaa’s land

NEW DELHI/JAIPUR: The much talked about new film “Jodhaa Akbar” directed by Ashutosh Gowarikar was released worldwide on Friday but failed to hit the theatres in the land of Princess Jodhaa – Rajasthan -- following protests by Rajput groups.

The groups under an umbrella organisation, Rajput Karni Sena, have taken to the streets for the past week in protest against “distortion of historical facts” in the Bollywood movie based on Mughal Emperor Akbar.

The multi-crore film, which portrays the epic romance between Emperor Akbar and fiery Rajput Princess Jodhaa, was due to have been released in 30 cinema halls across the desert State including nine in the Pink City. It turned out to be a no-show.

Starring Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, the film had its premiere in Mumbai on Thursday night. Its director, producer and distributors had telephonic conversations with Karni Sena representatives lasting in all for four hours in spells on Thursday to find a way out. But patron Lokendra Kalvi told a press conference in Jaipur on Friday that the screening would not be allowed till Gowarikar tenders a public apology to Rajputs and revises the script removing “distorted historical fact” about Jodhaabai.

Kalvi suggested that the filmmakers hold a preview for a select group of historians in Jaipur on Sunday. “If the historians permit, I will withdraw my agitation for ever,” he said.

According to Rajput groups, Jodhaa was the daughter of Udai Singh of Marwar and was married to Salim, Akbar’s son. But the film shows Jodhaa as Akbar’s wife and Gowarikar claims he has the backing of historians and a royal family of Rajasthan to prove it. -- PTI

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