Ashutosh Gowariker’s period piece Jodhaa Akbar finally hits the marquee on February 15; the film will be an acid test of sorts for the Bachchan daughter-in-law Aishwarya Rai and the Roshan star son, Hrithik.

The “Rs 40-crore” Jodhaa that was in the making for three years will be Rai’s first film after her wedding; for Roshan too, it’s crucial to continue his magic spell outside daddy Rakesh’s production house after the success of Dhoom 2.

“It will be my failure if the youth is not able to identify with the character of Akbar. That’s my biggest challenge as far as this film is concerned,” says Hrithik, looking to consolidate his position in the industry. “For Jodhaa, Hrithik was not offered anything more than Rs 3 crore considering his then-market value,” says an industry source. “However, at present he commands about Rs 20 crore per film. If Jodhaa becomes a hit, he will be in a position to ask for any remuneration he wants.”

Reportedly, this blue-eyed boy of Bollywood has been pinned for a Rs 35-crore multi-film contract with Adlabs. Apart from an item number for his home-production Krazzy 4, the actor is likely to act in an Anurag Basu’s film next, to be co-produced by UTV.

For Rai, Jodhaa will test her brand-value, post-marriage. “Irrespective of the box office fate of my films, the audience has always been generous in their love towards me,” says a confident Rai.

Rai—also India’s most famous global export—makes more news with her personal life than her films: Her last release, Guru, with husband Abhishek, did moderate business; Dhoom 2 belonged to chiseled-bodied Hrithik, while her previous release Umrao Jaan was a dud.

“Ash is a saleable proposition as far as my film is concerned. A big film like Jodhaa is crucial for any actor and Ash has proved merit in such films many times before,” says Sriram Raghavan, director of Rai’s next film with John Abraham, which will go on floors in February.

Jodhaa’s heroine was reportedly nailed for anything between Rs 1- Rs 1.5 crore for this expensive historical; since then the amount has hiked to Rs 2.5- Rs 3 crore per film, thanks to the still prevalent gender bias in the industry.

“Jodhaa will remain a significant film for Aishwarya. However, looking ahead, it doesn’t seem like she has a long career in mind, since she is bound by marriage already and also keeping in mind her age,” says a trade source, of the 35-year-old actor. Apart from Hollywood projects like The Pink Panther, Rai has Ram Gopal Varma’s Sarkar Raj, co-starring Abhishek and pa-in-law Amitabh Bachchan, coming up in the second half of this year.

Gowariker’s lavish film has many things in its favour—the onscreen chemistry of the film’s lead couple is definitely one. “The audience hasn’t seen anything like this in India before,” says Siddharth Roy Kapoor, senior vice president, marketing and distribution, UTV.

The director too desperately needs a hit in Jodhaa—his second film Swades, though critically acclaimed, failed to rake in big bucks. “I have made the film with the Indian audience in mind. However, it will be great if the international audience appreciates it too,” says the celebrated maker of Lagaan.

But overseas market will be crucial, keeping in mind its lavish budget. If initial reports are anything to go by, the beginning has not been too rosy for the film’s co-producer UTV who reportedly failed to rope in a corporate distributor for the film. “Reliance Entertainment was one of the parties considered. But the deal fell through,” says a source.