EBolly

Flashback 2007: Top 20 Bollywood Movies

# 18 – EKLAVYA – THE ROYAL GUARD

Directed & Produced by: Vidhu Vinod Chopra
Cast: Amitabh Bachchan, Sharmila Tagore, Jackie Shroff, Saif Ali Khan, Sanjay Dutt, Vidya Balan, Jimmy Shergill, Raima Sen, Boman Irani
Music: Shantanu Moitra
Lyrics: Swanand Kirkire
Cinematographer: Natrajan
Screenplay Writer: Vidhu Vinod Chopra, Abhijit Joshi

India’s official entry to the Oscars is undoubtedly one of the finest cinematic works of Bollywood. Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s epic film went on to earn rave reviews and critical acclaim but was a box office no-show. Despite all the odds, the film managed to earn Rs. 19.25 crores within 6 weeks’ showing at over 470 screens across the domestic region. The film’s worth was acknowledged after the official announcement of its entry into the Oscars from the Indian film industry.

Synopsis: Eklavya is the guardian of an ancient dynastic legacy whose duty is to protect the erstwhile royal family of Devigarh. However, besides guarding the blue-blooded people, Eklavya also guards a secret: he is the father of Prince Harshwardhan. Since King Jayvardhan could not impregnate his wife, it fell upon Eklavya to do the needful so that the family got an heir. The king, who hates Eklavya for this, now plots to have him murdered soon after the death of his queen. But instead, it is the king who is brutally murdered. Crestfallen that he couldn’t protect the king, Eklavya sets out to nab the killers and stumbles upon the truth behind the king’s murder and a few more bitter truths.

The film will always be referred to as one of the masterpieces from the Vidhu Vinod Chopra clan. After donning the hat of the director again, few expected such an outcome from the filmmaker. From the bullet shot scenes to Amitabh Bachchan and Sanjay Dutt’s breath-taking stunts, you are compelled to stand up and take notice of the cinematographic and editing genius of Chopra. Alas, a film to make any Indian film lover proud.

Popularity: 67% [?]

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