Eklavya - The Royal Guard

Rating: Must-watch
Director: Vidhu Vinod Chopra
Cinematography: Nataraja Subramanian
Starring: Amitabh Bachchan, Saif Ali Khan, Vidya Balan, Boman Irani, Sharmila Tagore, Raima Sen, Sanjay Dutt, Jackie Shroff, Jimmy Sheirgill, Parikshat Sahani

This movie has amazing cinematography. Light and colour are used very effectively throughout the movie. For example, behind the red curtains on the walls to enhance the red and bring out the Surya (the family is Suryavanshi). Also, in shots where the anger or frustration is being portrayed, there is always light from a fire. The overall effect of the fire portrays the feelings of the character there. The silhouttes of the buildings add to the effects of the whole movie.

Another interesting thing in the movie was the indication of passage of time using the moon. I sort of enjoyed watching the moon go from full to various forms of cresents. A lot of thought and effort would be required for doing that.

Coming to the star cast, though the star cast is huge, each character is well etched out. No one is wasted in the movie, and each person has a role to play. No single character takes over or dominates the space and full credits for this go to the director and the writer of this movie. The story - though slow - simply flows from one character to the other.

Also, the play of people politics is well portrayed in the movie. The characters are used as pawns by each other and that is an interesting thing to watch.

The only thing I didnt like about the movie was the ending. So, I'll change it and put forth an alternate ending here. Your welcome to let me know what you think about the same...

The alternate end..
When Eklavya comes to kill Harshwardhan, he realizes that he cannot kill his own Rana - since his life is dedicated to protect him. But in doing so, he is being untrue to his previous Rana. Eklavya is torn between these emotions - and this is where the movie ends.