'Jodha Akbar' sails through

Source: DNA India

By: Shubha Shetty-Saha

Date: August 28, 2006

Director Ashutosh Gowarikar and UTV are excited about their renewed collaboration on the Hrithik-Ash starrer.

UTV and Ashutosh Gowarikar had earlier come together for 'Swades'. But it seemed unlikely that UTV would produce 'Jodha Akbar' as Ashutosh was rumoured to have approached other producers. But now he's back with UTV. The company's head honcho Ronnie Screwvala and Ashutosh made this announcement together some time ago. They put an end to any rumours doing the rounds...

We hear Ashutosh had approached UTV for 'Jodha Akbar' earlier and was turned away...

Ronnie: "It is not like Ashutosh had gone away and come back. After we produced 'Swades', we continued to be in touch as the film was being taken to different festivals. It was only a fortnight before we announced the film together that we began discussing 'Jodha Akbar'.

Ashutosh: "I am comfortable with UTV as producers. I get the freedom to do what I like and more than that it's always better to work with someone who you are compatible with."

Wasn't UTV hesitant because the proposed budget of the film was too high?

Ronnie: "That's not true. The budget of the film is Rs 39 crore and there is no compromise anywhere."

Won't the Hrithik Roshan-Aishwarya Rai pair lose its novelty, as they will be seen together earlier in 'Dhoom 2'?

Ashutosh: "I don't mind. I have a way of telling the story and I think no one can fit the roles of Akbar and Jodhabai as Hrithik and Aishwarya do."

Does Ashutosh feel honoured that Ash supposedly refused Will Smith's film to do his?

Ronnie: "Oh, she refused Will Smith for you?"

Ashutosh: "I am glad."