More trouble for <i>Akbar-Jodha</i>

Saturday, November 18, 2006
Jaipur, UNI: Ashutosh Gowarikar's historical magnum opus Akbar-Jodha seems to be running into rough weather every now and then. Already being opposed by Rajputs for distorting the historical facts, the Hrithik-Aishwarya starrer has now received a notice from the Society of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) on the use of animals in the film.

SPCA has shot a letter to Gowarikar asking him whether he has taken the required permission from the Animal Welfare Board of India for using animals in the shooting. Gowarikar is likely to use elephants, horses and camels for his war and palace scenes.

On the other hand, the Rajput Karni Sena are holding protests in Bikaner, Jodhpur and Sriganganagar over stalling the shooting, which is currently on at Jaipur's several locations.

Mr Rajveer Singh, state vice president, Karni Sena told UNI. ''We plan to protest by damaging their cameras and shooting equipment,'' said Mr Singh.

The Rajputs claim there was no love between the Hindu princess married to Emperor Akbar.''How can Gowarikar depict it as a love story when it was only a marriage of compromise,'' they asked.

The Rajputs also say Akbar's Hindu wife was not called Jodha bai as is being shown in the fim as there is no historical character by the name even in Akbar's biography Akbarnama.

However, Akbar-Jodha's shooting continues unabated amidst tight security. The media entry has been banned completely. It is being filmed at the historic Amer Fort, the seat of Jaipur's Rajput rulers.

The shooting at Ramgarh, a few kms from here, was wrapped up yesterday, where scenes showing preparations for Akbar's marriage were shot.