A FILM that grossed over a million dollars at the box office in North America in just two days and is currently the talk of India must have something going for it.

And so it proves.

Directed and produced by Oscarnominated Ashutosh Gowariker, Jodhaa Akbar is a lavish 16th century love story featuring a great Mughal emperor Akbar and a Rajput princess, Jodhaa.

Two-and-a-half years in the making, this bold, sweeping epic stars Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai in the lead roles with accompanying music by acclaimed composer A R Rahman.

True, issues of historical accuracy may have been raised but the director has admitted a large chunk is based on his imagination.

An impressive team of advisors and scholars were also on board for Gowariker's grand vision - as were 80 elephants, 100 horses and 55 camels.

And, for lovers of cinematic trivia, this period piece used over 400kg of gold jewellery to ensure an opulent overload of the senses.

All in all, despite controversy and critical snipes, a classic Bollywood masterpiece has been born.