Jodhaa Akbar', the epic romance between Mughal Emperor Akbar and the fiery Rajput princess Jodhaa - a co-production between UTV Motion Pictures and Ashutosh Gowariker Productions - is set for an epic scale release worldwide on February 15, 2008.

Directed by Academy Award nominated director, Ashutosh Gowariker, 'Jodhaa Akbar' an epic romance, starring Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Hrithik Roshan is set to release across 26 countries in USA, Europe, Asia and Middle East. The film will be dubbed in 3 languages - Hindi, Telegu, Tamil; and subtitled in English, Arabic and Dutch. In the biggest release ever for an Indian film, it will be viewed across 1500 screens worldwide.

In India alone the film is set to release in more than 1200 screens of which 500 will be through digital cinemas and 825 through physical prints. In the US, the film will be released on close to 122 prints, the highest ever for an Indian film. "Jodhaa Abkar is one of the most anticipated movies of the decade and in keeping with the unprecedented anticipation amongst audiences, our distribution strategy will ensure that the film can be viewed by the maximum possible audience in the very week of its release." says Siddharth Roy Kapur, Director, UTV Motion Pictures Plc.

The key distribution highlights:

Releasing at around 122 - 125 prints by far the biggest Hindi film release ever. With this film UTV is reinventing Distribution in North American continent. In Canada for the first a Hindi film is being released simultaneously in 6 provinces (British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Alberta) for the first time. Additionally the film is being released in Bal boa Theatre, San Francisco and Culver Plaza Theatre, Los Angeles - 2 well known art-house theatres for mainstream audiences, first for a mainstream Indian film. On Feb 14, there would be special screenings Citibank screenings in New York, Chicago, Houston, San Francisco.

UTV Motion Pictures has taken first of its kind steps to combat piracy of the film in North America and globally. As a part of the process to take preemptive measures, in the last few weeks US based film exhibitors have collectively identified 500 top retail stores stocking piracy. All these retailers have been sent legal warning letters to each of them through registered mail. Attached is a sample copy.

The music of 'Jodhaa Abkar' by maestro AR Rahman available on the UTV Music label, launched earlier in January 2008 and has proved to be the undisputed mogul on the music charts for the past few weeks.

Jodhaa Akbar- The Story

Set in the sixteenth century, this epic romance begins as a marriage of alliance between two cultures and religions, for political gain, with King Bharmal of Amer giving his daughter's hand to Emperor Akbar.When Akbar accepts the marriage proposal, little does he know that in his efforts to strengthen his relations with the Rajputs, he would in turn be embarking on a new journey- the journey of true love.

From the battlefield where the young Jalaluddin was crowned, through the conquests that won him the title of Akbar the Great, to winning the love of the beautiful Jodhaa. Jodhaa Akbar traces the impressive graph of the mighty emperor and his romance with defiant princess.