Akbar Khan`s "Taj Mahal-An Eternal Love Story", is touted as the most expensive film ever made in the history of Bollywood.It has been made on a budget of Rs.100 crore,within 4 years.According to Akbar Khan,this is one such film that people will remember for years to come and he feels that the movie will definitely touch people`s hearts.
Fortunately,Akbar Khan`s magnum opus does manage to create an impact on the viewers and it comes up as a well made,entertaining movie,featuring some extremely beautiful sets,great costumes and battle scenes.
The film starts with a battle between the aged Shah Jehan`s (Kabir Bedi) sons,Aurangzeb (Arbaaz Khan) and Dara Shikoh (Vaquar Sheikh).Shah Jehan had wanted Dara Shikoh to be the next Emperor of the Mughal dynasty because he was his favourite son and his elder son as well but the ambitious Aurangzeb wants to be the emperor himself.Therefore,he imprisons his father along with his sister Jahan Ara (Manisha Koirala) and gets his brothers beheaded,including Dara Shikoh.Shah Jehan is left with only one companion and that is Jahan Ara so he tells her about his love story. We go into a flashback when Emperor Shah Jehan was Prince Khurram (Zulfi Sayed).He had met Arjumand Bano (Sonya Jehan) in a jungle,while hunting and both of them fell in love at the first sight.Emperor Jehangir (Arbaaz Ali),the father of Prince Khurram decided to make Khurram the future emperor and when Noor Jehan (Pooja Batra),Jehangir`s wife came to know about it,she made sure that her daughter,Ladli Begum (Kim Sharma) from her previous husband,Sher Afghan should get married to Khurram and become the future empress of the Mughal dynasty.However,Noor Jehan and Ladli Begum see that it`s not so easy for their plans to succeed when they notice that Khurram is in love with Arjumand Bano,Noor Jehan`s brother,Asaf Khan`s,daughter.When Khurram declares to Noor Jehan that he loves Arjumand Bano,Noor Jehan turns Jehangir against Khurram and as a result,Khurram gets arrested by Jehangir.As Arjumand does not want Noor Jehan`s evil plans to succeed,she convinces Khurram to get married to the Iranian princess Kanadahari Begum (Negar Khan),whom Jehangir has chosen to be Khurram`s wife.In return,Jehangir would get Kandahar,a city of Iran.Khurram finally agrees to marry Kandahari begum but after two years he finally gets married to Arjumand Bano and then love blossoms between the two.Khurram becomes Emperor Shah Jehan and Arjumand becomes his muse,Mumtaz Mahal.A tragedy takes place when Mumtaz Mahal dies while giving birth her to nineteenth child and while dying she asks Shah Jehan to build a mausoleoum for her.The depressed Shah Jehan spends twenty two years of his life on making a beautiful mausoleum for his beloved wife,where he buries her and that mausoleum becomes the Taj Mahal.
The star cast of "Taj Mahal" is quite unusual and hats off to Akbar Khan for daring to cast some fresh faces.
Kabir Bedi is wonderful in the role of Emperor Shah Jehan and he really looks like a Mughal Emperor. Zulfi Sayed surprisingly acts very well and his dialogue delivery is perfect. Sonya Jehan is gorgeous and has the kind of royalty on her face that was demanded by Mumtaz Mahal`s role.Her acting is just about okay but she is very beautiful. Pooja Batra gives the best performance as the evil and scheming Empress Noor Jehan.This performance will definitely win her many praises. Kim Sharma has shown lots of improvement as Ladli Begum.Manisha Koirala leaves a strong impact in a small role.Arbaaz Khan looks wicked and Aurangzeb`s role suits him to the T.Arbaaz Ali does a fine job.Others are also okay.
Akbar Khan has paid lots of attention to everything.Right from the historical facts to the action,sets and the costumes and he deserves a pat on his back for daring to make India`s most expensive project.Right from the beginning the film manages to grip your attention.Some scenes which are the best from this film are the following:
-When Aurangzeb goes to meet Shah Jehan and tells him that after becoming the emperor he will kill all his sons,including Dara. -When Shah Jehan and Jahan Ara receive Dara Shikoh`s head for dinner.
-When Prince Khurram and Arjumand Bano meet at the Meena Bazaar.
-When Khurram speaks out against his father and against his step-mother Noor Jehan.
-The climax is excellent.At the end,you will surely have tears in your eyes.
The costumes and jewellery by Anna Singh and Tejas Jojani are awesome and the beautiful sets do full justice to the grandeur of that era when it was the golden period of the Mughal dynasty.
Naushad`s music is wonderful,though it failed to become a hit,as it was not for masses but for the classes."Ajnabi Thehro Zara","Ishq Ki Dasstaan" and "Apni Zulfein" are the best songs."Mumtaz Tujhe Dekha Jab Taj Mahal Dekha" is a very haunting song.However,two songs were not really required and seemd forced in the going-ons-"Apni Zulfein" and "Seene Main bhi Toofaan Hai". Editing in the second half could have also been better.
All in all,"Taj Mahal" is a fantastic movie which is definitely worth a watch. Not just the look of the film is beautiful,but it also has a good story coupled with some good performances, soulful music and lots of drama,to keep you glued to the screen.
