Eklavya - The Royal Faux Pas

Never judge a book by its cover – and apparently it works both ways – surprise or disappointment! I’d first seen the trailer of Eklavya 4 months ago and I couldn’t wait. I mean the movie seemed to have everything – a stellar cast, a different setting, probably a story of royal heritage and intrigue, great shots! Well, I finally watched the movie yesterday and I must say, Mr. Vidhu Vinod Chopra has done everything to screw up what could have been an awesome experience.

Dear Mr. Chopra, what happened? Do you remember that you had once made a movie called Parinda? The brilliant story of two brothers and how they embark upon separate paths in life and yet can’t disentangle their lives from each other?? Now, that’s a good movie. Something that haunts people almost 20 years after its release. Please allow me to elaborate why Eklavya is not that kind of a movie.

Story – What’s the story of Eklavya? Well...????…….ummm…???!!??….see, there is this guard….???….and he believes in his dharma…and…????!!??…he is the actual father of the prince….???!??….and then…loads of people die….the end. Mr. Chopra, even a 10 year old knows that most basic ingredient of any movie is a story. A real story. That’s chapter 1, moviemaking for dummies, remember? Within the first 10 mins we come to know (if you hadn’t already guessed it) that Eklavya (Amitabh) is the real father of the royal kids and after discovering this, the King wants to get him killed. And what happens for the next 1.5 hrs is something even the characters in the movie couldn’t figure out.

Screenplay – The thing with Eklavya is that if we look at each scene separately without knowing the context, it would work…almost. The problem is that movies don’t work like that, now do they? Each scene has to logically lead to the next. So much care has been taken to create brilliant sets and camera angels. If only half of that effort had been put in developing the characters and the story - voila, we would have had a decent drama! But no, it’s the age of style and plasticity. So, the filmmakers (pioneered by the esteemed Yashraj films) insist on giving us just that. Forget depth, forget passion, forget beliefs – just make it slick, market it well, tie-up with all and sundry media channels, bully the distributors and make your share of money even before the movie releases!! Great business model, pathetic movie going experience.

Character development – Actually, if you think of it, how can you develop something that doesn’t exist in the first place. The characters discover one secret after the other, people around them die, hardships happen but nothing affects them! Just look at prince Harshwardhan (Saif) – he comes to India after years, his mother dies, he discovers who his real father is, he gets his fake father killed, he falls in love just like that – but he remains as stiff and static as a cardboard! Did his feelings just instantly change towards whom he thought was his father all these years?? Just like that? Another case in point – Rajjo (Vidya Balan) discovers her father died because of Harshwardhan’s plan and leaves him and then very conveniently, in the last scene decides to forgive him because his intentions were good! Is his father’s life more important that your father’s, Rajjo??

It seems as if everyone one in the movie is there just for the sake of it. I guess Mr. Chopra decided that he has to have everyone from his ‘camp’ in the movie (Saif, Sanjay, Jimmy, Vidya, Raima, Boman) and so, we have something where the actors need a script more than the script needs the actors! Absolutely pointless nepotism.

Acting – The thing about taking good actors is that you’ll always have a basic level of performance. But to get absolutely great performances, you need a director who knows what he doing! Why does everyone in this movie look so bored?! Amitabh Bachchan clearly sleepwalks through the movie. I mean, this is the kind of role that he does everyday. The pained, wronged, idealistic angry old man. Even the expressions are becoming trite and a tad boring. Is it really that important to add a couple of more crores to your innumerable crores, Mr. Bachchan?? Did Mr. Chopra promise you a Rolls Royce before you signed on this movie? Have you decided to do anything in which you are a protagonist? I mean, cmon, you are Amitabh Bachchan – not just any other aging star! You have got to exercise some discretion!!

Saif – I don’t know what to say to you. You are sick, so I’ll just be kind and say that after Langda Tyagi, people expect something from you. So, please get a grip and put some passion into whatever you do.

Rest of the cast – Well, I am sorry. I know that you can’t say no to Mr. Chopra, for he gave you guys a career push and that he’s somewhat of a big shot. So, my sympathies. You should have known that there are pitfalls of being part of a camp too.

In the end, a suggestion for Mr. Chopra – please just produce movies (since you are still doing a decent job there) and stop directing as you have clearly forgotten how to. Or better, just revise moviemaking for dummies.