Amitabh to do voiceover for 'Jodhaa-Akbar'

By Subhash K. Jha

Mumbai, Jan 17 Even before his career took off he did a voiceover in director Mrinal Sen's "Bhuvan Shome" - a 1969 award-winning movie about the life of an uncompromising Bengali bureaucrat and his "gradual change".

Once again, Amitabh Bachchan will be doing the voiceover as the narrator in Ashutosh Gowariker's magnum opus "Jodhaa-Akbar", an epic tale of love and the golden period of Mughal history featuring the life of Jalaluddin Akbar and his Hindu queen Jodha.

Asked if he's doing it because of Aishwarya Rai's presence, the Big B demurs: "No, that's not the reason. I had also done the voiceover for Ashutosh Gowariker's 'Lagaan'. In 'Jodhaa-Akbar' I'll be serving as the narrator."

Gowariker, who had to be present at the movie's lavish music release Jan 9 in spite of a bad back, says the Big B was the only choice for the narrator's role.

"It had to be someone who could convey both the gravity and historicity of the era," said the director.

Is Amitabh being brought in because the film's editing needs explanation?

"No, not at all," laughed Gowariker. "It isn't because of the editing at all. It's just that the historical details need to be punctuated. And who better equipped for the task than Amitabh Bachchan?"

Other films where Big B did the voiceover and narration include "Bawarchi", "Balika Badhu", "Shatranj Ke Khilari", "Tere Mere Sapne", "Parineeta" and "Swami".