Eklavya The Royal Guard

You go through a turmoil.A turmoil. A turmoil. Should I have seen it or not. Ill put you out of your misery see it, but make an intelligent decision..

This Review talks about why one should watch this movie and why one shouldnt so depending who one is, or what one is, do your thing.

The story is nicely twisted version of the original Mahabharata story of Eklavya, who offers his right thumb to Guru Dhronacharya as it was his dharm to do so. In todays tale Dharm is what mati sees as right (mati could be thought of as conscience).

See it because (you love movies, youre a student of movies, you love BB, youre into photography)

- it tells a beautiful story

- Every frame is captured like a well thought of picture postcard, the imagery is haunting. True Vidhu Vinod Chopra ishtyle.

- Every tune in the BG score is well placed and of great quality

- Every actor has seemingly placed his heart into the role (though could be a tad bit overdone at times, Sanjay Dutt is sadly misplaced), Dr. Bacchan cuts right through your heart, Saif is maturing beautifully, Jimmy is crisp with a bitter chocolate portrayal, Raima and Vidya are well placed punctuations.

- The location (Devirgarh Resort near Udaipur) is drop-dead gorgeous. Ive put it on my must-see travel list.

- Movie making at its highest quality in its technique, rhythm, eye-candy.

Dont see if because (youre typical Bollywood, you want to have a good time, you enjoy crying, youre running low on cash)

- The story is powerful, but the story telling is not. Not sure if it is the editor or Vidhu himself that seems to have puts cuts and transitions that make the story telling staccato, it could have really hurt, but it didnt.

o For years everything is well and secrets preserved and then in 2-3 days everyone knows the secrets and families are wiped out ha. (Comical Dismay)

o Having climactic scenes immediately following the intermission is a BAD idea, people loose their grip on the movie as they grab the popcorn, one needs to build the movie a bit at this time.

- Some people might find it slloooww.

- You have Vertigo, since the camera angles can put you in a tizzy (one or 2 scenes were enough)

- Youve seen enough of BBs eyes showing red and showing his age overdone.

- The movie tries to emote, but fails, I think it fails miserably.

- Some scenes are too long overdrawn to make a point (pigeon scene, Jimmys death)

Make your own choice.