ApunKaChoice.com
site  movies  celebs  music  news  showtimes  user  
Hello, Stranger Login | Sign up
ApunKaChoice » Movies » Taj Mahal » Taj Mahal Movie Review

Taj Mahal movie review

(0 fans)
starstarstarstarstarstarstarstarstarstar
Editor
Add to List
Add to Favourite
 

Cast Nazir, Suraiya    more...
General.
Hindi

Overview
News & Features
Cast & Crew
Fan Club
Photos
Posters
Wallpapers
Reviews
Songs
Trailers & Videos
Message Board
Movie Showtimes
Click on the Like button to get updates about Taj Mahal directly on your Facebook page.

The Taj Mahal Movie Review

Worth A Watch
By Nikhil Kumar
Rating: 0.5/5

To make a movie on one of the seven wonders of the world is indeed a daunting task. To narrate an age-old story of love between emperor Shahjahan and Mumtaj Mahal, to depict the greed of Aurangzeb and to recreate the last days of an emperor who spent his old age in captivity, is a big cinematic challenge. Akbar Khan, the director of 'Taj Mahal', succeeds, but only partially.

'Taj Mahal', made at an estimated mammoth budget of Rs 70 crores, tries to authentically recreate the Mughal era through opulent sets, royal costumes and jewellery. But the movie is more than just a mere costume drama. It is a very simply told tale of love.

The movie begins with the battles between Aurangzeb (Arbaaz Khan) and his three brothers Dara Shikoh, Suja and Murad. Blinded by his greed for power, Aurangzeb kills his three brothers and sends the severed head of Dara Shikoh (Shahajan's favorite son) to his ageing father Shahjahan (Kabir Bedi).

Aurangzeb accedes to the throne and holds his father Shahjahan and his elder sister Jahan Aara (Manisha Koirala) in captivity.

Spending the last days of his life in captivity, a frail and nostalgic Shahjahan begins to narrate to Jahan Aara the tale of his love with Mumtaj Mahal.

The movie goes into flashback and we see a young Shahjahan aka Prince Khurram (Zulfi Syed).

During one of his rides in the jungle, Prince Khurram sees a beautiful Arjumand aka Mumtaj Mahal (Sonya Jehan) and falls in love with her.

But this match is not acceptable to Khurram's scheming stepmother, Noor Jahan (Pooja Batra), who wants the prince to wed her daughter from another marriage, Ladli Begum (Kim Sharma). Noor Jahan wants to ensure that in future the throne passes on to someone from her lineage.

Shahjahan's love for Mumtaj Mahal is unshakable. He marries her. But their lives are still stirred by the politics played by the members of the family. As Mumtaj Mahal breathes her last, Shah Jahan promises her to build a monument in the memory of their love.

Akbar Khan should be credited for condensing the entire story within 2 ½ 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.

Language in a historical movie is very crucial. The dialogues in 'Taj Mahal' are very comprehensible despite a generous use of chaste Urdu.

Zulfi Syed's performance stands out in this multistarrer magnum opus. As the young Shahjahan, Zulfi looks convincing and brings forth the romantic and mellow shades of his character believably enough.

Sonya Jehan, too, fits in her role well, but her dialogue delivery leaves much to be desired. The lady's earthy beauty is simply a delight to the eyes.

Arbaaz Khan makes an impact as the brutal Aurangzeb. He brings out the dark sides of Aurangzeb so well that you can't help hating the character he plays.

Pooja Batra indeed needs a mention for her performance as the cunning Noor Jahan. The actress, so rarely seen in movies nowadays, has sprung a surprise with her brilliant display of acting skills.

Kabir Bedi, as usual, towers high playing the old and infirm Shahjahan. The actor for sure has an imposing screen presence perfectly suited to his character. Manisha Koirala's role in the movie is very marginal.

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.

User Reviews for Taj Mahal

 (0)
Be the first to review Taj Mahal on ApunKaChoice.
Login to Write Review
 




 
Did you watch Vidya Balan in The Dirty Picture
The Dirty Picture videos, wallpapers and reviews
What's Hot In Movies
Dhoom 3The Dirty Picture
Don 2Agent Vinod
TezzEk Main Aur Ekk Tu
Bol BachchanEk Tha Tiger
BarfeeAgneepath
JokerHousefull 2
Ek Deewana ThaRowdy Rathore
TalaashPaan Singh Tomar
ShanghaiOnce Upon A Time In Mumbaai 2
Jannat 21920 Evil Returns
KahaaniJodi Breakers
NOW TRENDING
Salman KhanShahrukh Khan
Katrina KaifKareena Kapoor
Sonakshi SinhaVeena Malik
Aishwarya RaiPoonam Pandey
New Hindi MoviesKatrina Kaif Wallpapers
Taj Mahal Reviews 
Movie Review : Worth A Watch (0.5/5)
To make a movie on one of the seven wonders of the world is indeed a daunting task. To narrate an age-old story of love between emperor Shahjahan and Mumtaj Mahal, to depict the greed of Aurangzeb and to recreate the last days of an emperor who spent his old age in captivity, is a big cinematic chal...
Taj Mahal News and Features 
Hrithik Roshan to play lord Ram?   - ApunKaChoice   - 1205 days ago
If things go as planned, we might see Hrithik Roshan playing Lord Ram in a movie to be made by his f more...

'Taare Zameen Par', 'Race' lead Indian films deluge in Pakistan   - ApunKaChoice   - 1440 days ago
The trickle of Indian film releases in Pakistan has turned into a deluge over the last year with a h more...

Bollywood blockbuster 'Welcome' releases in Pakistan   - ApunKaChoice   - 1497 days ago
Bollywood blockbuster Welcome is the latest film from Hindi film industry to release in Pakistan. more...

'Goal' awaited keenly in Pakistan   - ApunKaChoice   - 1580 days ago
Reeling under a state of emergency and curbs on information, the people in the Pakistani city of Kar more...

Amitabh Bachchan bags the Best Actor National award   - ApunKaChoice   - 1686 days ago
Films from the stable of Bollywood hogged honours at the National Film Awards for 2005 with mega sup more...

Pooja Batra to return to Bollywood   - ApunKaChoice   - 1909 days ago
Pooja Batra has been lying low after her marriage to a US-based doctor. But the gorgeous belle is ea more...

Taj Mahal Photos 
Taj MahalTaj MahalTaj Mahal


Copyright © ApunKaChoice.com
ApunKaChoice.com : Latest Bollywood News, Bollywood Movies Reviews, Bollywood Wallpapers
privacy policy
Partner Sites : CricketZone - IndiaExpress.com [ Mobiles Festivals Bikes Cars ] - CardWeaver

photo gallery - new movies - celebs - wallpapers - the celeb A-Z - News & Gossip - Music - Video - Hot Topics
Anushka Sharma - Katrina Kaif - Kareena Kapoor - Priyanka Chopra - Deepika Padukone - Sonakshi Sinha - Aishwarya Rai - Veena Malik - Poonam Pandey - Nargis Fakhri
Salman Khan ( Being Human - Bigg Boss 5 ) - Shahrukh Khan - Shahid Kapoor - Hrithik Roshan - Aamir Khan - Ranbir Kapoor