Battle won: The love saga of the Mughal emperor and Raiput princess that hit the silver screen on Friday drew a huge crowd to cinema hall. Picture by Eastern Projections

Feb. 14: Jubilant fans of Aishwarya Rai and Hrithik Roshan thronged the city’s theatres today as their much-awaited film Jodhaa Akbar hit the screens with a bang.

The blue-blood on-screen romance between Rajput princess Jodhabai and Mughal emperor Akbar attracted hundreds of movie lovers who watched Ashutosh Gowariker’s Rs 40-crore magnum opus, on the first day of its release.

Besides the “power-packed” performances of their favourite superstars, the music of A.R. Rahman was an instant hit with the audience.

It was a gala release for Jodhaa Akbar in the city’s five theatres today unlike in Rajasthan where the movie has drawn the ire of the Rajput community that claims that Jodha was married to Jehangir and not Akbar.

“I was having pre-release jitters as the film’s release coincides with the beginning of matriculation and Higher Secondary examinations. Today, I am a relieved man as the film has made an outstanding opening in the city and elsewhere. I am sure the film will run successfully for at least four weeks,” the distributor of the film, A.M. Faruk, said.

“After watching the movie, I am sure it is going to be a super hit as it has the correct mix of all the ingredients to captivate cinema lovers,” said Smriti Baruah, a housewife, who watched the first-day-first-show of Jodhaa Akbar at Apsara Cinema along with her children.

“Rahman’s music was excellent, particularly the song Jashn-e-Bahaar sung by Javed Ali. Since Ali is going to perform in Guwahati next month, I am eagerly looking forward to watch the talented singer perform live.”

On March 4, Ali will perform at the 15th International Guwahati Trade Fair at the Assam Engineering Institute Ground in Chandmari.

The film is also being screened at Pragjyoti, Anuradha, Cinemax and Fun Cinemas in the city.

Huge banners and hoardings were put up in front of halls where Jodhaa Akbar was released today.

“The film sends a subtle message of communal harmony as it depicts the epic romance between Mughal emperor Akbar and Rajput princess Jodhabai. I like the way Akbar and Jodha fell in love after their marriage,” Avadesh Roy, a school student, said.

His views were shared by Dhruba Talukdar who was also very impressed by the movie.

“I liked Hrithik Roshan’s acting and Rahman’s music very much,” Talukdar said.