This is the first time you are working with an actress of prominence. Does that mean that for the first time since Lagaan and Swades, the actress will have as prominent a role in the film as your male protagonist?
Since it is called Jodhaa Akbar, they are two equal parts. I thought it is important to have two established faces, two stars, to play those parts.
So many people dismiss Aishwarya as a mannequin who can't act. Would you say with some confidence that Jodhaa Akbar will establish her as an actress of serious substance?
First of all, I don't agree that till now whatever performances she has done have not been good. I think there have been stellar performances. Certain films may have required a portrayal with lesser acting opportunity, so probably she would look like a mannequin. In Jodhaa Akbar, she is fantastic as Jodhaa. Her performance is incredible. If anyone has any doubts about the way she performs, I think they will love her in this film.
What is the thing that surprised you most about Aishwarya?
I think the sincerity of the emotion, the honesty of the emotion and the speed of execution of the shot. She is not a method actress. She is not someone who when she has to do a particular scene she needs to internalise it. Her method is slightly different.
You mean, she was not Aamir Khan :)
Every actor has got his own method of acting and hers was based on the information that she had. She would execute it with great simplicity and sincerity of emotion. I was quite amazed at that.
And what surprised you about Hrithik as an actor? Was he as generous with his suggestions like your two other lead actors (Aamir and Shah Rukh) must have been?
Oh yeah. I think to be able to adapt to a character is one thing. But to be able to adapt yourself and align yourself to a character that probably existed and do it with responsibility because you are, after all, depicting a Mughal emperor that everyone knows about, I think that is a very tough thing to do. The methodology with which he approached the character is what really startled me.
How do you think Hrithik will compare to the Akbar that we all know from cinema, the awesome figure of Prithviraj Kapoor with his impressive voice and his personality.
There's a lot of difference between the two. Prithviraj Kapoor, when he played Akbar, he was supposed to be 55-60 years old. Hrithik is playing Akbar at a very young age. So there isn't a comparison between the two. It is almost a comparison like between what (Robert) de Niro did and (Marlon) Brando did in the two Godfathers, one and two. They are two different phases (in Akbar's life).
But there will be the inevitable comparison.
Yeah, but that doesn't worry me at all. I think Hrithik is brilliant.
Also read: The voice of Amitabh, Hrithik
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