Making an effort to clear the air over the controversy surrounding Jodhaa Akbar, director Ashutosh Gowariker has said that he had done thorough research for the film.
Jodhaa Akbar has not been released in Rajasthan as the Rajputs believe that Jodhaa was not Akbar’s wife but his daughter-in-law.
“I am very sad that the film has not been released in Rajasthan because the film is rooted in Rajasthan. The Queen Jodhaa belonged to that place. I really want the people of Rajasthan and the whole of India to watch the film,” the acclaimed director states.
The film basically deals with the marriage of alliance between Jodhaa and Akbar. “How the Mughals changed because of Rajputs is basically what the film tries to portray,” says Ashutosh.
Claiming that he has read a lot of books on Akbar and Rajput, he says, “I read Medieval India by K L Khurana which has the reference of Jodhaa, Akbar by Munnilal also mentions about Jodhaa. Madhyakalin Bharat by Harishankar Sharma says ‘Akbar respected King’s word and accepted her daughter Jodhaa’.” He further says, “If you read History Of Rajasthan by Reema Ahuja, she has used many names - Jiya Rani, Manmati, Harika, Shahi bai in different sources but popularly known as Jodhaa bai.” During the research Ashutosh also found out about the confusion over Marwar’s Uday Singh’s (Mota Raja) daughter. “To find out her name I referred to three books. Jehangirnama mentions- the daughter of Mota Raja was called Jagat Gosain. Another book mentioned the name as Meerabai and that she was married to Salim. Satish Chandra’s famous book says Jagat Gosain was married to Salim which was made a grand occasion,” he states. “I would like to say that if I have hurt any sentiments it is totally unintentional and I am very sad about it. But I would add that I respect all communities including the Rajputs. I would never like to hurt anybody. My motive is to make films and entertain people. I dearly wish the people of Rajasthan watch it,” he concludes. Del.Icio.Us Tags: Jodhaa Akbar was well researched’ Ashutosh Gowariker
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