Eklavya (2007)

Director:

Vidhu Vinod Chopra

Writers:

Vidhu Vinod Chopra (writer)
Abhijit Joshi (writer)

Release Date:

16 February 2007 (India)

Genre:

Action | Drama | Thriller

Tagline:

The Royal Guard

Plot:

As the kingdom of Devigarh comes apart at the seams, an aging bodyguard attempts to protect the Royal Family, as well as keep its darkest secrets from ever coming to light.

Plot Keywords:

Prince | Kingdom | Bodyguard | Blindfold | Train

Cast

Amitabh Bachchan	...	Eklavya
Saif Ali Khan	...	Prince Harshwardhan
Sanjay Dutt	...	DSP Pannalal Chohaar
Vidya Balan	...	Rajeshwari / 'Rajjo'
Jackie Shroff	...	Jyotiwardhan
Boman Irani	...	King Jaywardhan
Jimmy Shergill	...	Udaywardhan
Raima Sen	...	Princess Nandini
Sharmila Tagore	...	Queen Suhasinidevi
Parikshat Sahni	...	Omkar Singh
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Adhir Bhatt	...	Pedicurist
Swanand Kirkire	...	Constable

Also Known As:

Eklavya: The Royal Guard (USA)
Yagna (India: Hindi title) (working title)

Runtime:

105 min

Country:

India

Language:

Hindi

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Certification:

India:U | UK:12A | Ireland:PG | Australia:M

Filming Locations:

Bikaner, Rajasthan, India

Company:

Vinod Chopra Productions

Trivia:

It was decided, early in production, to shoot the film in an actual palace for authenticity. Scouts were sent and went all over the state of Rajasthan with a tooth-comb to find the perfect location, but finally Vidhu Vinod Chopra, while skimming through a travel magazine, discovered a small picture of a fort in the hills of Devigarh. The fort, now a popular Heritage hotel, was perfect for exterior shots, but was obviously unsuitable for interior shots (as well as the obvious problems of guests, the interiors were modern-looking). So, scouting was undertaken again, but this time over the city of Jaipur. They were finally allowed to shoot interior scenes within the living quarters of the Jaipur Royal Family, thanks to costume designer Prince Raghavendra Rathore. Eklavya's cottage was the only set constructed from scratch. It was so well created that the hotel's guests and visitors assumed it to be a part of the hotel.

Quotes:

Eklavya: [narrating the epic of Eklavya] Eklavya was a low caste warrior of unsurpassable skills. When Eklavya outclassed the royal princes in the art of archery, the man he had idolized as his mentor, the great guru Dronacharya, asked of him a terrible gift in return for his tutelage: his right thumb...

Movie Connections:

References Wo hu cang long (2000)

Soundtrack:

Suno Kahaani

A must for every cinegoer!

The movie has excellent star casting. first time ever i have liked an Indian movie and i am confused to decide whether which character in the movie was played well. its not that there is no other Indian movie that has been created well, but watching Eklavya was just a different experience. while you are watching " Eklavya" , you feel no matter how many other movie this actors have done for v.v.c. before, they act completely different. in other words all of the character reminds you that they have a new and better ways of expressing the dialogues of the script. the is not too lengthy. and yet it wont seem like there is any cut off.

Every actor in EKLAVYA – THE ROYAL GUARD stands out for terrific portrayal. Sanjay Dutt has a brief role, but he's fantastic all through.Vidya Balan is superb yet again. There's no stopping this actress! Boman Irani is first-rate in a negative role. Watch him interact with Sharmila Tagore in the very first scene and with Jackie subsequently to know the range of this gifted actor. Jimmy Shergill introduces you to a hitherto unknown facet of his talent. He excels in a negative role. Jackie Shroff gets a meaty role yet again in a Vidhu Vinod Chopra film. He's wonderful. Raima Sen leaves a mark in a significant role. Sharmila Tagore exudes class in a cameo. Parikshit Sahni is efficient.

EKLAVYA – THE ROYAL GUARD is an opulent film, with a gargantuan cast, gripping story seeped in Indian emotions and values, striking visuals and topnotch making as its trump cards. Without a shred of doubt, it's one of the finest products to come out of the Hindi film industry.