Movie Review: Eklavya

This is my first Hindi movie review, and I am writing this for two reasons, one, because I thought the movie was excellent and two, I want the people who have not seen this movie just because it got really bad reviews from their friends, to watch it. Even I didn't have any great expectations from the movie, the first time I saw Eklavya's promotional trailer I thought it was a sequel to Parineeta(almost same lead cast). Also my friends who had seen the movie put it as a boring, slow movie(yeah, I know, I always get these misguiding reviews). But my mother wanted to see it, hence the good old download. Yesterday I saw it with my whole family(4 members) on my massive 15" computer screen. All four of us liked it, me the most.

I think every Indian would(should) know the story of the fictional character of the great Indian epic Mahabharata, but for those who are ignorant to the Indian mythology, I have pasted below a brief summary of Ekalavya's story.

In the Mahabharata epic, Ekalavya is a young prince of the Nishadha tribes, and a member of a low caste, who nevertheless aspires to study archery in the gurukul of Dronacharya. Despite being rejected by the Drona, Ekalavya embarks upon a program of self-study in the presence of a clay image of Drona, and achieves a level of skill equal to that of Arjuna, Drona's favorite and most accomplished pupil. Fearful that Ekalavya will excel him, Arjuna begs Drona to take action. Drona goes to Ekalavya and demands that Ekalavya turn over his right thumb as a teacher's fee. The loyal Ekalavya cripples himself and thereby ruins his prospects as an archer by severing his thumb and giving it to Drona.

Here in the movie, Eklavya(Amitabh Bachchan) is a royal guard who lives to protect a royal dynasty that no longer rules, he also has a dark secret of the dynasty to protect. He is the perfect marksman(which is why he was named Eklavya).
What makes Eklavya a great movie is that it has redefined the concept of Dharma, through Eklavya, Vidhu Vinod Chopra tries to debunk the belief that Dharma is all about following the path of righteousness as defined by tradition, rather, he endorses the view that righteousness is not an absolute concept but has to be rooted in reason- Dharmah Matibhyah Utgritah.(These are not my words)

Other things that make the movie stand out is its superb cinematography(every frame is a beauty) and some brilliant acting by most of the cast, Amitabh Bachchan comes up with a great performance, really deserves the Rolls Royce. Sanjay Dutt is just fabulous in the role of DSP Pannalal Chohaar. Saif just keeps getting better with every movie.
Some guys were not that good though, Jackie Shroff should try to open his mouth before he mouths his dialouges(most of his words were not audible) and Vidya Balan needs to loose some weight.

My two cents: Eklavya is 100 minutes of pure song less cinema with some great performances and an excellent theme, really worth watching.