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`Tajmahal´- Splendor Unleashed |
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Here comes another tribute to monument of eternal love in “Taj Mahal”.
The 70-crore rupees ‘Taj Mahal’ is a historical film worth watching
as it authentically recreates the Mughal era through lavish sets,
royal costumes and of course jewelry.
It has silver-haired Kabir Bedi as Emperor Shahjahan who enthrals us
with his acting acumen. And model Syed Zulfi, who plays Prince
Khurram, comes out as a full-fledged actor here.
 The film opens with a battle for the throne between Aurangzeb (Arbaaz
Khan) and his three brothers Dara, Suja and Murad. Aurangzeb defeats
all three and ascends the throne after cruelly imprisoning his
father Shah Jahan (Kabir Bedi) and elder sister Jahan Aara (Manisha
Koirala). In a poignant scene, Aurangzeb sends the severed head of
Dara (Shahajan’s favorite son) to his aged father just to spite him.
Spending the last days of his life in imprisonment, a feeble and
nostalgic Shahjahan begins to relate to daughter Jahan Aara the tale
of his love with deceased wife Mumtaj Mahal.
The movie goes into flashback mode and the audience sees a young and
dashing Shahjahan (Zulfi Syed).
Zulfi’s chiseled face is highlighted suitably by his long black
hair. Very natural, he displays the potential to charm female
viewers. But he lacks the passionate energy needed to cast a spell.
And heroine Sonya Jehan (Mumtaz) ditto. Her expressions, unlike that
of Manisha Koirala (Jahaan Aara) fails to move you.
 During one of his rides in the jungle, Zulfi (I mean Shahjahan in
the movie) sees the beautiful Mumtaj Mahal (Sonya Jehan) and
instantly falls in love with her. But this match is not acceptable
to his devious stepmother, Noor Jahan (Pooja Batra), who wants the
prince to wed her daughter from another marriage, Ladli Begum (Kim
Sharma).
Shahjahan’s love for Mumtaj Mahal is resolute and he
marries her despite all odds. Their lives are shaken up by family
politics and as Mumtaj Mahal breathes her last, Shah Jahan promises
her that he will build an edifice in the memory of their love ...
the 'Taj Mahal'.
The music is apt and nostalgic. The sets are lavish and unbelievably
seductive. Credit goes to cinematographer R.M. Rao who has managed
to evoke some sentiments.
Hats off to director–maker Akbar Khan, who
creates a poetic ambience and maintains it throughout. Akbar Khan,
by the way, is brother of actors Feroze Khan & Sanjay Khan.
 Adding to the glamour index are women characters, who bedecked in
Mughal period jewelry and costumes, seem to challenge Ms Worlds.
However, “Taj Mahal” fails to explore any extra dimension of the
historical masala. But here it is more evocative and thankfully less
emotional. So the dialogues do not get heavy, though the editors’
scissors goes missing several times. The movie never uplifts you
like the monument of love — Taj Mahal.
Nevertheless, watching it is
quite a pleasant experience.
(DesPardes.com)
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Rating: ***
Producer, Director: Akbar Khan
Cast: Kabir Bedi, Manisha Koirala, Arbaaz Khan, Pooja Batra,
Zulfi Syed, Sonya Jehan, Kim Sharma, Milind Gunaji, and Vaquar
Sheikh.
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Rating
Index:
* * * * * Just brilliant
* * * * A cut above
* * * Enjoyable
* * Average
* Bomb |
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Top
10 Desi Movies |
1 Salaam-e-Ishq
2 Guru
3 Risk
4 Vivah
5 Dhoom 2
6 Bhagam Bhaag
7 I See You
8 Kabul Express
9 Lage Raho Munnabhai
10 Don
As of Jan 28,
2007 |
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