Jodhaa Akbar set recycled, used for TV show

Mumbai: After providing much grandeur and authenticity to Ashutosh Gowarikar's Jodhaa Akbaar, the set of the film is buzzing with lights, camera and action yet again - this time for the small screen.

Historic, elaborate and extravagant - the set for Jodhaa Akbar at ND Studios is back in action thanks to Chittod ki Rani Padmini Ka Johur, a period drama currently airing on Sony Television.

Bollywood's popular Art Director Nitin Desai, who erected the epic scale set for Ashutosh Gowarikar's film for Rs 16 crore, is now using it as the set for his maiden Hindi serial production which also depicts the grandeur of 14th century Rajputana.

Producer and Art Director Nitin Desai says, "Keeping these sets is like keeping a white elephant and I don't think its wrong to use it. After all it's an ND studio creation."

Adds actor Tejaswini Lanori - who plays the main protagonist in the TV serial, Rani Padmini, "Nitin sir has modified the set according to the needs of the serial, so its not entirely the Jodhaa Akbar set."

Set and aside, the entire look of the main characters of this historical drama on Sony - designed by Neeta Lulla - also bears a striking resemblance to Aishwariya Rai and Hrithik Roshan's look and styling in Jodhaa Akbar.

Actor Rohit Bakshi says, "It's good if people compare us for Hrithik has done such a fine job in the film."

Adds Tejawini, "I don't deny the resemblance to Aishwariya Rai, but the serial is about Rajputana and Jodhaa was a Rajput so there is aught to be some similarity. But it's not the same thing that people will think it is the same thing when they see the show."

Though the serial has garnered good ratings in it's first week, one wonders what Ashutosh Gowarikar has to say about Jodhaa turning into Rani Padmini.

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