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Sonya Jehan .... Mumtaj Mahal
Zulfi Syed .... Young Shahjahan
Kabir Bedi .... Shahjahan (Aged)
Arbaaz Khan .... Aurangzeb
Pooja Batra .... Noor Jahan
Kim Sharma .... Ladli Begum
Manisha Koirala .... Jahan Aara
Director : Akbar Khan
The movie Taj Mahal is Akbar Khan's magnum opus, it claims of some of most extravagant sets ever mounted, some of the most lavish costumes ever made, some of most of the spectacular and exhilarating battle scenes ever captured, and the most expensive film ever made In India. He is like a painter who feel he is ready to make his masterpiece; to attain greatness; to join the league of the luminaries of the past.
"Taj Mahal-An Eternal Love Story" tells us the story of the golden period of the Mughal era.It takes the viewers back in the 17th century,when the royal family of the Mughals was ruling India.The film starts with an ageing Shah Jehan (Kabir Bedi) imprisoned in a fort, who is in the last stages of his life. His sons are fighting in battles against each other to become the Emperors of India and the Mughal Dynasty. Everywhere,around him, there is violence and warfare. Endless killings and bloodshed are on the rise.Beheading of slaves and even brothers is no big deal for anyone.Imprisoned in a fort, the ageing Shah Jehan,looks at the mausoleum he made for the love of his wife,the Taj Mahal, where his favourite and beloved wife is buried. A sight of the Taj Mahal reminds him of his youth,of the past,when he was the Prince of India and how he fell in love.
Akbar Khan should be credited for condensing the entire story within 2 hours. And the story that is told is moving enough. But it may only have selective audience. For, only a few of the present X-generation would care to witness the tale of an era long gone by.
The movie gets slow paced at many times, particularly in the second half, and the songs – only a few of which manage to catch your fancy – are basically a drag.
Despite these shortcomings, Akbar Khan's passion still comes through. The movie is visually rich. Save for some poor set recreations of the palace, and some terrible make-up at times (Dara Shikoh's severed head, for instance), meticulous attention seems to have been paid to details.
In a nutshell, 'Taj Mahal' is a film worth watching once, despite all its shortcomings. The movie delineates, in detail, the story of Shahjahan's love, Noor Jahan's intrigue and Aurangzeb's greed. The movie's end leaves you with a sad and heavy heart.
Zulfi Syed .... Young Shahjahan
Kabir Bedi .... Shahjahan (Aged)
Arbaaz Khan .... Aurangzeb
Pooja Batra .... Noor Jahan
Kim Sharma .... Ladli Begum
Manisha Koirala .... Jahan Aara
Director : Akbar Khan
The movie Taj Mahal is Akbar Khan's magnum opus, it claims of some of most extravagant sets ever mounted, some of the most lavish costumes ever made, some of most of the spectacular and exhilarating battle scenes ever captured, and the most expensive film ever made In India. He is like a painter who feel he is ready to make his masterpiece; to attain greatness; to join the league of the luminaries of the past.
"Taj Mahal-An Eternal Love Story" tells us the story of the golden period of the Mughal era.It takes the viewers back in the 17th century,when the royal family of the Mughals was ruling India.The film starts with an ageing Shah Jehan (Kabir Bedi) imprisoned in a fort, who is in the last stages of his life. His sons are fighting in battles against each other to become the Emperors of India and the Mughal Dynasty. Everywhere,around him, there is violence and warfare. Endless killings and bloodshed are on the rise.Beheading of slaves and even brothers is no big deal for anyone.Imprisoned in a fort, the ageing Shah Jehan,looks at the mausoleum he made for the love of his wife,the Taj Mahal, where his favourite and beloved wife is buried. A sight of the Taj Mahal reminds him of his youth,of the past,when he was the Prince of India and how he fell in love.
Akbar Khan should be credited for condensing the entire story within 2 hours. And the story that is told is moving enough. But it may only have selective audience. For, only a few of the present X-generation would care to witness the tale of an era long gone by.
The movie gets slow paced at many times, particularly in the second half, and the songs – only a few of which manage to catch your fancy – are basically a drag.
Despite these shortcomings, Akbar Khan's passion still comes through. The movie is visually rich. Save for some poor set recreations of the palace, and some terrible make-up at times (Dara Shikoh's severed head, for instance), meticulous attention seems to have been paid to details.
In a nutshell, 'Taj Mahal' is a film worth watching once, despite all its shortcomings. The movie delineates, in detail, the story of Shahjahan's love, Noor Jahan's intrigue and Aurangzeb's greed. The movie's end leaves you with a sad and heavy heart.
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