Aishwarya Rai, Hrithik Roshan at 'Jodhaa Akbar' music launch

Music for Ashutosh Gowarikar's 'Jodhaa Akbar', starring Aishwarya Rai and Hrithik Roshan, was launched at Grand Hyatt, Kalina, Mumbai on January 9, 2008.

































The musical score for the period drama has been composed by AR Rahman and is being released under the newly launched UTV Music label. It consists of five songs that capture the essence and opulence of the Mughal era.

Present on the stage were Hrithik Roshan, Aishwarya Rai, Javed Akhtar, Ashutosh Gowarikar and AR Rahman and Maharani Padmini Devi, who is a direct descendant of Princess Jodhaa of Amer.


































Other cast members present included Punam Sinha, wife of actor-MP Shatrughan Sinha who plays Akbar's mother in the film, Kulbhushan Kharbanda who plays Raja Bharmal and Sonu Sood. Also present were Amitabh Bachchan, who provides the voice over, Shatrughan Sinha, Hrithik's wife Suzzane, her actor brother Zayed Khan, father Sanjay Khan and uncle Akbar Khan.

Gowarikar denies two songs were cut from the film to keep its length under 3 hours.

"No. We recorded five songs and we've retained them all. I treasure every song that I record and wouldn't dream of cutting them for length." "The music of Jodhaa-Akbar can't be bhangra and hip-hop. Just because the film has Aishwarya, please don't expect an introductory song-and-dance. It's not a star vehicle. It's about the characters. I'm showcasing Jodhaa and Akbar," says Gowarikar.



















Jodhaa Akbar is Hrithik and Aishwarya's second film together after Dhoom 2. The two have been widely appreciated for their electrifying on-screen chemistry. Jodhaa Akbar is Aishwarya's first film post marriage and Hrithik's next after Dhoom 2.

Gowarikar also confirmed that the film will be released on February 15, refuting reports that there may be yet another delay.














































Produced at a cost of Rs 40 crores, Jodhaa Akbar is one of the most expensive movies of 2008. The film took two years to make. It has been shot extensively in Rajasthan and Karjat.