Eklavya

2007

Eklavya

Critics Consensus

No consensus yet.

Eklavya Photos

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Movie Info

After a seven-year self-imposed exile from cinema, acclaimed filmmaker Vidhu Vinod Chopra returns to the director's chair for this tale about a Royal Guardsman and expert marksman whose loyalty to the crown is the stuff of legend. Eklavya (Amitabh Bachchan) lives for one reason and one reason only: to protect Devigarh at all costs. For nine generations, Eklavya's family has protected Rajasthan's centuries-old citadel, and Eklavya's staunch dedication has even inspired loving ballads by the people of the kingdom. Whether guarding the royals themselves or just their secrets, Eklavya could always be counted on to see his job through to the bitter end. These days, however, Eklavya is getting old and his eyesight is failing. Though royal heir Prince Harshwardhan (Saif Ali Khan) had once fled to London in hopes of escaping the suffocating customs of his land, the death of Rani Suhasinidevi (Sharmila Tagore) has now prompted him to return to Devigarh and embrace his true fate. As new royalty comes in and old loyalty clings to life, Devigarh is about to experience one of the most sizable shifts the kingdom has ever witnessed.

Rating:

NR
Genre:

Art House & International, Classics, Drama
Directed By:

Vidhu Vinod Chopra
Written By:

Vidhu Vinod Chopra, Abhijat Joshi, Swanand Kirkire
In Theaters:

Feb 16, 2007 wide
On Disc/Streaming:

Feb 20, 2007
Box Office:

$1,100,762
Runtime:

107 minutes
Studio:

Eros Entertainment

Watch it now

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Cast

Amitabh Bachchan
as Eklavya

Saif Ali Khan
as Prince Harshwardhan

Sanjay Dutt
as DSP Pannalal Chohaar

Vidya Balan
as Rajeshwari

Jackie Shroff
as Jyotiwardhan

Jimmy Shergill
as Udaywardhan

Sharmila Tagore
as Rani Suhasinidevi

Boman Irani
as Rana Jaywardhan

Raima Sen
as Princess Nandini

Swanand Kirkire

Parikshit Sahani

Rama Vij

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Critic Reviews for Eklavya

All Critics (8) | Top Critics (5) | Fresh (6) | Rotten (2)

Set in present day Rajasthan, India, this stunningly beautiful film is a worthy, if not largely successful, attempt at commercial Bollywood cinema.

Oct 24, 2017 | Full Review…

Anil Sinanan
Time Out
Top Critic
Strongly cast tale of royal scheming, family skeletons and healthy slaughter is an involving mood piece.

Feb 20, 2007 | Full Review…

Derek Elley
Variety
Top Critic
Here's a robustly unassuming and entertaining Bollywood melodrama starring Amitabh Bachchan and Sanjay Dutt, set in a romanticised contemporary Rajasthan.

Feb 18, 2007 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review…

Peter Bradshaw
Guardian
Top Critic
This stirring dramatic feature by Kashmiri director Vidhu Vinod Chopra marries its varied elements -- modernity and classicism, current-day India and its feudal past, contemporary corruption and blood tradition -- in a coherent and propulsive fashion.

Feb 15, 2007 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review…

John Anderson
Newsday
Top Critic
This is robust storytelling, with blood and thunder pumping through its veins, and real whiskers on its face.

Feb 15, 2007 | Full Review…

David Chute
L.A. Weekly
Top Critic
Part of the problem is that Chopra goes on an overkill with his images at the cost of his script.

Jan 23, 2019 | Rating: 2/4 | Full Review…

Namrata Joshi
Outlook
Set in present day India, the film has a special resonance for today's world, beleaguered by hate and violence born from fanatical belief.

Oct 30, 2017 | Rating: 3.5/5 | Full Review…

Raam Tarat
Future Movies UK
Not your typically silly Bollywood offering, this relatively short Indian saga is pretty to look at, demonstrating with gentle humor how a man's gotta do what a man's gotta do.

Feb 15, 2007 | Rating: B | Full Review…

Harvey S. Karten
Compuserve

View All Critic Reviews (8)

Audience Reviews for Eklavya

Dec 16, 2007

Here's an interesting movie about a young prince who is forced to return home after the death of his mother. He comes to terms with responsibilities and the truth about his real father. As he tries to put life back on track, he realizes that he needs his father more than ever despite that he is a servant, a royal guard to the king. For this father, a man who holds his duty sacred but also wishes to know his true children, Nandini and Harsh. Great cast- Saif Ali Khan, Amitabh Bachchan, Vidya Balan, Jackie Shroff, Jimmy Shergill, Sanjay Dutt, and Sharmila Tagore. Good music. Great movie by Vidhu Vinod Chora. Fantastic cinematography. Worth seeing!

Leo L Super Reviewer
Oct 29, 2007

This movie is impressive! I scowl at those people who have rated this yet do not have a geist of what theater or art is all about. A good cast, wonderful acting and a unique story. Majestic, classy, unique and a good mixture of the modern world and the old ways. Two thumbs up!! <BR>Movie Quote: <BR>"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" <BR><BR>Note: If youre gonna get this movie, get it with the subtitles or english translations. I assure you, Its worth it :)

Ginny Super Reviewer
Apr 15, 2007

Wow - another great Bollywood past MIX present flick with an AWESOME CAST - the legneds of the unites with some young guns to bring a mysterious movie about a Kingdoms's Royal Guard's devotion to duty and knowing that his time is cming to an end, so are the fragile secrets he has sworn to hide when the young Prince returns from London to face a crisis in his kingdom, which can shatter the peace and the history of the royalty. Its well paced and secretive drama - lots of twists and dark settings - an interesting and unique drama from the Bollywood norm. What a cast!! Big B is the pick of the bunch of course, with my personal fav Sanjay Dutt backing him up and veteran Jackie Sheroff making a good comeback. And Saif Ali Khan is one of the best in new talent today.

Khris N Super Reviewer
Mar 08, 2007

Hey this is one awesome movie... gd star cast and story line.. its amazing cus they managed not to cram in like 10 songs which other bollywood movies tend to have... Jackie seems to be doing well in a negative role.. but hes still ma old time favourite actor.. on the other hand Sanjays acting was exceptional, always the best...Go watch it guys its a nice movie!!

XXX RaJ XXX B Super Reviewer