Tonight - IOL review

Movie Review: Eklavya

February 23, 2007 By Debashine Thangevelo
Director: Vidhu Vinod Chopra
Cast: Amitabh Bachchan, Sanjay Dutt, Boman Irani, Jackie Shroff, Saif Ali Khan, Vidya Balan, Jimmy Shergill and Raima Sen
Classification: TBA
Rating : ****

If Eklavya is the result of Vidhu Vinod Chopra's six-year absence from the director's seat, I'm all for him taking more breaks. His last movie, Mission Kashmir (2000), also enjoyed rave reviews, with Sanjay Dutt and Hrithik Roshan heading the cast.Chopra has bagged Bollywood's finest veterans headed by Amitabh Bachchan, Boman Irani, Jackie Shroff and Sanjay Dutt, for his latest venture, which he also penned.As Rani Suhasinidevi (Sharmila Tagore), the queen of Devigarh, a centuries-old citadel in Rajasthan, lies on her death bed, she cries out for Eklavya (Amitabh Bachchan), the royal guard. Eklavya's family has been protecting the fort, the king and its secrets for nine generations. King Rana Jaywardhan (Boman Irani), horrified by the queen's deception, strangles her. Not long after that, Prince Harshwardan (Saif Ali Khan), who stayed in London to escape the suffocating traditions of his land, is summoned back to the fort to perform the last rites for his mother. His mentally challenged twin sister, Princess Nandini (Raima Sen) and childhood sweetheart Rajjo (Vidya Balan), are ecstatic about his return . But all is not well in the kingdom. Against the backdrop of angry farmers who have had their land taken away, the king is plotting the demise of Eklavya, who, as it turns out, is the prince and princess' real father.Meanwhile, inspector Pannalal Chohar (Sanjay Dutt) is called in to investigate a death threat received by the king.Chopra has woven a spellbinding tale that is dexterously executed. Each character is well-etched and all the stars get ample scope.Bachchan delivers a first-rate performance as a father torn between his duty and his love for his son. Ali Khan plays his character with flair, while Dutt and Balan are adequate in their respective roles. The lavish sets capture the royal era magnificently and the traditional garb and costume jewellery lend authenticity to the narrative. Excellent cinematography pits rustic splendour against regal opulence.This is a truly remarkable film that will keep you rivetted from start to finish.