So how much of a risk are you willing to take? Or how much authenticity can you lend your characters in the movie? If you were to ask this question, to the man who missed an Oscar by an inch for Lagaan, then Ashutosh Gowariker would quietly take you to the sets of his next biggie, and one of the most awaited movies of this year, Jodha Akbar. For it isn’t everday that you’ll get to hear that real jewellery was used in a film, like Jodha Akbar.

The director has tried his best to make sure that when Aishwarya Rai as Jodha and Hrithik Roshan as Akbar, come together on screen to recreate the magic that they did in Dhoom 2: Back In Action, minus the lip locking this time, they would look like a perfect royal couple. It has been reported that Aishwarya’s apparel in the movie includes heavy zardosi saris as well as other costumes which too boast of intricate embroidery work. And much like co-star Madhuri Dixit was weighed down by the gold laden ghagra in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Devdas, this time she too is blaming gravity for her ‘heavy’ appearance.

The director has used pure gold and diamond jewellery, which include a lot of precious stones as well. And it is not just the lead stars who get to wear them. The whole cast has been made to sport real jewellery. What’s more? Swords which would be brandished in the movie, as well as the rakhi that Ash will tie on her brother’s arm in the movie, are studded with real diamonds, rubies and saphhires.

The sets of the epic are in ND Studios, Karjat where a special protected cell has been erected, to be used for the safe storage of all the jewellery and other precious accessories. The room has the best of security being used for itself. And no one can dare tread to this security room except the lead stars. The actors too are supposed to go through various checkpoints and other frisking procedures before they step out of the studios. And with all the speculation on this big project, just a little question to tingle your grey cells: who is playing Birbal on the movie?!