Eternal,Not Yet

The first two episodes are textbook presentation: bring in the characters,one by one and let the viewers know them at a steady pace. The secrets unravel as one moves along. So far,we’ve been treated to the shrewd Bairam Khan (played by Naved Aslam) as the brains behind Akbar’s wrath and tyranny,Jodha’s beloved brother Sujamal (played Vicky Batra),Jodha’s father Raja Bharmal (Rajeev Saxena) and mother,Rani Menawati (Natasha Sinha). There’s a clichéd old hag of a soothsayer too in Shaguni Bai (Kalyani Trivedi) who foretells Jodha’s future with Mughals.  

Not even two episodes old,and the show has reportedly invited the displeasure of the Rajputs. They contest that there was no Jodha Bai in Rajput history. Whether it was a publicity stunt or news,Ekta Kapoor aired it with her show,and even put the no resemblance disclaimer.

Rajat Tokas’s fair and lovely skin and soft looks fail to give that hint of authority and royalty to Akbar’s persona. Paridhi Sharma as Jodha,unfortunately,looks too simple and slightly older than Akbar. One cannot resist to draw comparisons especially when one’s been treated to Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan starrer film,Jodhaa Akbar.

Meanwhile,we are waiting for more characters: Ashwini Kalsekar as Mahamanga,a pivotal mother figure in Akbar’s life who saved him from the clutches of death across many a battle. Chetan Hansraj will play the role of Adham Khan,the mighty son of Mahamanga who has an eye on the Mughal throne and Smiley Suri as Ruqaiya Sultan Begum,Akbar’s first wife.