Thursday, February 22, 2007

Ekalavya (2007) - Hindi Movie Review

Ranking: 4/5

Cast: Amitabh Bacchan, Saif Ali Khan, Vidya Balan, Raima Sen, Bomman Irani, Jimmy Shergil, Jackie Shroff, Sharmila Tagore, Sanjay Dutt
Director: Vidhu Vinod Chopra
Music: Shantanu Moitra


The movie opens with the queen (Sharmila) bed ridden listening to her husband, the king (Bomman) reading to her her famous Shakespearian sonnet. But all she keeps repeating is the name Ekalavya again and again. Their daughter (Raima) who is slightly mentally challenged keeps telling her father repeatedly, "Mom wants us to call Ekalavya daddy." But the king keeps ignoring it until he finally understands the meaning behind the word coming out of his wife's mouth. He strangles the queen to death.

Prince Harsh is asked to come back to the palace to perform the last rites for his mother where he meets Ekalavya (Amitabh) the royal guard again. Rajjo (Vidya) the daughter of the royal driver gives Harsh a letter that his mom had written for him. The letter reveals the truth that his actual father is Ekalavya and not the king. Harsh is confused and concerned and promises to his mother's burning pyre that he will protect his father Ekalavya.

Knowing that the king along with his cousin Jyotivardhan (Jackie) and his son (Jimmy) are scheming to dispose Ekalavya, Harsh works out a plan... The plan unfolds and anything more I write now might spoil the climax...

Go and watch this movie and enjoy the beauty of tight screenplay, well drafted story and acting at its best. The story has an uncanny Shakespeare like feel to it and all the settings and locations make it feel like one too. Amitabh and Saif steal the show while Bomman is simply brilliant. Vidya Balan does not have much to do in the movie although what little of her seen is awesome. Raima Sen as a mentally challenged girl has also done a good job and so have Jackie and Jimmy. Hey I almost missed out the role of Sanjay Dutt as the police inspector! He surely brings in the lighter moments of a mostly serious movie.

A must watch and in big screen too.

3 comments:

Megha Bansal said...

you said it well..it has a Shakespearean touch to it. I think Boman Irani was the best easily followed by Amitabh and Saif.
I do think the V-V-chopra family is dishing out lovely movies! and the best thing is that the performances of each of the actors is good...no one is sloppy!

Anonymous said...

I used to think that you will never like a bollywood movie, since you are from tollyganj (?)
But i think this was a rarity, which i dount will ever be repeated, you southerns are too engrossed in your own world and think you make the best movies.

i hope you will wear an unbiased cap in the future too when you give your reviews!

Anu Russell said...

Anonymous!

Thanks for visiting. Wonder why you are keeping your identity hidden. What spite in your words when you talk about South Indians! If you have read all my Tamil or Telugu movie reviews you would notice that not only do I bash Hindi but I do the same with regional movies. I am sorry that you think that all South Indians are biased...you are biased in just your thoughts.

Clean up your closeted brain and open up to see the people around you are actually different and that's what makes this world a better place!

I don't care if you don't visit my blog again. I dont need any negative energy around! Thanks

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