Feb 16, 2007 12:21 AM
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(Updated Feb 16, 2007 12:58 AM)
There are many virtues in life which makes your life meaningful. These virtues help you to draft your course of action. The meaning of virtue is not limited to modern day values. The virtues in fact will help you to grow your qualities, focus your activities and stick till the end. When Duty is the virtue, the person becomes a slave for duty and without duty there is no life for him. They believe, "Do your duty - that is your beauty." Khsathriyas are known for their dedication to work. Duty is the virtue and its morality is the subject the film Ekalavya is talking all about.
The story is narrated in a king/queen background where it is evident that it is in the modern India the story is happening. Somewhere in Rajastan…The queen (Sharmila Tagore) is in her death bed. The king (Boman Irani) is sitting by her side and singing her favourite sonnets. The queen's last wish was to call Eklavya (Amitab Bachchan) the royal guard. The King envying Eklavya and kills the queen. Their daughter is an eye witness to this but she is considered as mentally ill. Prince Yashwardan was called by the king arrives in a helicopter to do the funeral of his mother. The queen had a secret - which connects Eklavya to her children. The King was not blessed with children and they went to pilgrimage to see Sanyasis where he allowed only Eklavya to assist her. Eventually the secret is revealed to the prince through a letter from his mother and she has asked her to protect his father. The King is planning to Kill Eklavya. His brother Jyothiwardan (Jackie Shroff) was assigned to kill Eklavya where Jyothiwardan's son Udaywardan is also have serious ambitions. Rajjo (Vidya Balan) plays the love interest of the prince and Raima Sen plays the role of mentally sick princess. Pannalal Chohaar (Sanjay Dutt) is from a low class family but become Police officer with his will and he hold a respect to Eklavya. He is a perfect Munnabhai and no Gandhigiri this time. The scene is set for the murder attempt and the suspense. The story tries to redefine the definitions of royalty and duty.
Eklavya is a fine attempt to tell about the virtue of duty and the changes in its concept with time. There are many breath-taking scense one can wonder and enjoy. The director stick to the seriousness of the subject and didn't bent an inch to commercialise it. It is not the film for those who are looking for light entertainers, but who loves serious cinema.
Amitab Bachchan delivers yet another fine performance where Saif Ali Khan once again proves that he is of class material. Sanjay Dutt in his limited role tries to make some laugh and he succeeded at the end with a bang. Vidya Balan has a comparatively small role and she did it neatly. Raima Sen did her small role in style. Boman Irani and Jackie Shroff showed their class and need special mention. Jimmy Shergill throws a villain look, but looks good. No need to mention Sharmila Tagore did her small role with perfection. Overall everybody delivered the best and the director has selected best available stars to suit the roles. It is nice to see the perfect execution of actors through out a film.
Cinematography is one department where the film excels. Vidhu Vinod Chopras are known for their technical brilliance and they prove it yet again. Red is the selected colour and when the light and darkness mix with wonderfully built- in sets it is a visual treat. There are some extra brilliant shots in the film and one can visit the cinema hall to see those scenes at least if not for anything else.
The single song in the film is melodious. One wish the directors had good space to add one or two songs, especially a complete love song between Saif Ali Khan and Vidya Balan.
The story is good, and screenplay is average. Some extra care should have been taken…if one critically analyse the characters, the Eklavya has become Dronacharya at the end and different characters takes the role of Eklavya different times. The message is conveyed loud and clear. The characters and story could have been little more simple and transparent. Many a places the logic is missing and one has to depend on the ignorance of the audience to get continuation. The director succeeded in getting the required performance from the cast and need special mention. Minute details of the scenes are not taken care off and that shows in many places. The costumes are one department the film fails and second is makeup. Time of the story is another factor which leaves many doubts in the mind of audience.
Overall, the movie falls very much in the class category as the director stick to it. Comparison to Omkara is inevitable Eklavya reach almost there, but not upto it. The commercial side of Omkara is well addressed to, where Eklavya means only serious business.
As a last note, there is good news and bad news. Good news is that the movie is a good one. Bad news is that there is no initial pulling for the film. May be the advertisement did not clicked as the way it intended. The word of mouth publicity may have to work for the film, at least in overseas market. Hay, is there anybody complaining about the length of SEI? Go for Eklavya and you will be compensated. The movie is of 12 reels and is over by less than 2 hours. Definitely worth a watch if you love serious cinema or good cinema.
