Review of Eklavvya
One L(U)vya Guard
Dalbaatis, Choorma Ladoos are not only things famous of Rajasthan, Thar Desert and its songs or Pink City is not just its priced possessions. There is much to more western state of Rajuts, Marwaris, and also Chauhars. There are Ranajis, Royal Guards, Rajmatas and Vidhu Vinod Chopra. Yes!!! He is originally from Kashmir and grew up amidst lakes and valleys, snow capped peaks and boathouses. Recently, 7 years after venturing terrorist filled jungles and districts of Kashmir, he has explored and excavated Chouhar, Kissan and Ranaji filled villages of Rajasthan. The tiger came out of hibernation and is roaring in other direction to create a new trend.
The story of film that took 7 years in completing but is of 2 hours screentime is about nuances in post independent some small village in a district of Rajasthan. It is about Eklavvya (“Amitabh Bachchan), the royal guard whose duty as set by his ancestors is to serve blindly to family of Ranas. Turning blind by age doesn’t stop him to guard the ex royal family nor does it affect his arch shooting skills, given a bird’s toe as target even blindfolded by a Chouhar policeman Pannalal (Sanjay Dutt, his arm lands bang on target. The family he is serving is Rana Jayawardhane (Boman Irani), who’s dying wife (Sharmila Tagore) is muttering Eklavvya’s name instead of her husband. Enraged by envy and wreathed by jealousy he chokes his wife to death in presence of mentally handicapped daughter Nandini (Raima Sen) and threatens her not to tell about it. Death of Ranimaa, brings her son Harshwardane (Saif Ali Khan) back to beautifully architected palace from London. He comes down and as if Pandora’s Box is open and horror within is unleashed on him. Through a letter from his mom, he is subjected to a secret which he must hide from but obey his dead mother’s last wish. The letter contained horrifying truth about his biological father being Eklavvya and not Ranaji as he could never conceive. Rana who also knows secret by now, wants Eklavvya terminated to save his name and capability. Frustrated and lost, he asks help from his cunning and ever scheming cousin Jyotiwardhane (Jackie Shroff), who along with his son Uday (Jimmy Shergill) are in constant mind and plans for acquisition of vast wealth of Ranaji. Suspicious death of a farmer draws Chouhar policeman (Sanjay Dutt) to palace. Then begins a plot to kill Eklavvya which is overlapped by murder of Ranaji. The tragedy that follows death is gripping and unveils final lap of tragedy.
Parinda was work of great talent and creativity, which hasn’t lost in Vidhu Vinod Chopra in all these years. Screenplay is mesmerizing and takes us to likes of Shakesperean tragedies. The climax is disappointing segment of film, where director has given Bollywood twist to this great fable. Art of narrating story is unique in each of Vidhu’s babies and leads to new definition in art of film making. As for acting Amitabh is second best after Black and deserves a standing applause. Saif Ali Khan is good but restricted in few scenes. Raima is brilliant and poignant and Vidya is ever charming in her miniscule role of driver’s daughter who dreams of marrying Saif Ali Khan. Jackie and Jimmy are perfecto pair for their character and Sanjay is sarcastically hilarious and just simply brilliant. Just to add a lighter note to serious tragedy, people suffering from claustrophobia shouldn’t watch this one as camera angles are at high levels.
Rating ****1/2
Rating Chart
* Bhool Hi jaaon
** Theek Hai Chalalenge
*** Accha Hain Achha Hain
**** Kya Baat HainJhakkaas
***** Dimaag aur Dil Hila De
Dalbaatis, Choorma Ladoos are not only things famous of Rajasthan, Thar Desert and its songs or Pink City is not just its priced possessions. There is much to more western state of Rajuts, Marwaris, and also Chauhars. There are Ranajis, Royal Guards, Rajmatas and Vidhu Vinod Chopra. Yes!!! He is originally from Kashmir and grew up amidst lakes and valleys, snow capped peaks and boathouses. Recently, 7 years after venturing terrorist filled jungles and districts of Kashmir, he has explored and excavated Chouhar, Kissan and Ranaji filled villages of Rajasthan. The tiger came out of hibernation and is roaring in other direction to create a new trend.
The story of film that took 7 years in completing but is of 2 hours screentime is about nuances in post independent some small village in a district of Rajasthan. It is about Eklavvya (“Amitabh Bachchan), the royal guard whose duty as set by his ancestors is to serve blindly to family of Ranas. Turning blind by age doesn’t stop him to guard the ex royal family nor does it affect his arch shooting skills, given a bird’s toe as target even blindfolded by a Chouhar policeman Pannalal (Sanjay Dutt, his arm lands bang on target. The family he is serving is Rana Jayawardhane (Boman Irani), who’s dying wife (Sharmila Tagore) is muttering Eklavvya’s name instead of her husband. Enraged by envy and wreathed by jealousy he chokes his wife to death in presence of mentally handicapped daughter Nandini (Raima Sen) and threatens her not to tell about it. Death of Ranimaa, brings her son Harshwardane (Saif Ali Khan) back to beautifully architected palace from London. He comes down and as if Pandora’s Box is open and horror within is unleashed on him. Through a letter from his mom, he is subjected to a secret which he must hide from but obey his dead mother’s last wish. The letter contained horrifying truth about his biological father being Eklavvya and not Ranaji as he could never conceive. Rana who also knows secret by now, wants Eklavvya terminated to save his name and capability. Frustrated and lost, he asks help from his cunning and ever scheming cousin Jyotiwardhane (Jackie Shroff), who along with his son Uday (Jimmy Shergill) are in constant mind and plans for acquisition of vast wealth of Ranaji. Suspicious death of a farmer draws Chouhar policeman (Sanjay Dutt) to palace. Then begins a plot to kill Eklavvya which is overlapped by murder of Ranaji. The tragedy that follows death is gripping and unveils final lap of tragedy.
Parinda was work of great talent and creativity, which hasn’t lost in Vidhu Vinod Chopra in all these years. Screenplay is mesmerizing and takes us to likes of Shakesperean tragedies. The climax is disappointing segment of film, where director has given Bollywood twist to this great fable. Art of narrating story is unique in each of Vidhu’s babies and leads to new definition in art of film making. As for acting Amitabh is second best after Black and deserves a standing applause. Saif Ali Khan is good but restricted in few scenes. Raima is brilliant and poignant and Vidya is ever charming in her miniscule role of driver’s daughter who dreams of marrying Saif Ali Khan. Jackie and Jimmy are perfecto pair for their character and Sanjay is sarcastically hilarious and just simply brilliant. Just to add a lighter note to serious tragedy, people suffering from claustrophobia shouldn’t watch this one as camera angles are at high levels.
Rating ****1/2
Rating Chart
* Bhool Hi jaaon
** Theek Hai Chalalenge
*** Accha Hain Achha Hain
**** Kya Baat HainJhakkaas
***** Dimaag aur Dil Hila De
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