Vidhu Vinod Chopra, one of the most famous directors of Bollywood, who has given films like Parinda, 1942: A Lover Story, talks about his latest film Eklavya: The Royal Guard in an interview with the Zee News. Eklavya: The Royal Guard is Vidhu’s comeback film as a director. The film is also memorable for him because for the first time, he has worked with the legendary actor of Bollywood, Amitabh Bachchan. Vidhu Vinod Chopra and Amitabh Bachchan have been trying to work together since 1987. Now, both their expectations have been fulfilled. Here is an excerpt of the interview:
Q: Recently you had a very special guest to watch your new film with you. A: Yes, Ralph Fiennes was here for his UNICEF work. It was a private visit. He saw my "Eklavya" with me. There was just the two of us. He was so moved. At the end of it, he applauded spontaneously. On an impulse he went with me to Amitabh's house.
For once, Amitabh seemed completely moved by the compliments. Here was one of the greatest actors in the world praising Amitabh and telling him his performance in "Eklavya" was among the best he has seen. For once, I think Amitabh took me seriously. I keep telling him "Eklavya" is his career's best.
Q: Your coming together with Amitabh for a film has been delayed by many years.
A: We've been trying to work together since 1987. Words fail to convey how I felt after working with him. Imagine an actor of Amitabh's calibre going on location seven days in advance to rehearse. When I made the request, I thought he'd think I'm crazy. I can tell you one thing, you've never seen the Amitabh of "Eklavya" before. Considering he's been around for 35 years that's saying a lot.
Q: He was very uncomfortable with the beard he had to wear for your film.
A: Yes, but that's what makes him a great actor. You know, all of us have to bear with a lot to create what we believe in. Striving for excellence is never a comfortable position to be in.
Q: Saif Ali Khan had grown quite a lot as an actor in "Parineeta". Has he reached another level with "Eklavya"?
A: Oh absolutely. I also think he was outstanding in "Omkara" too.
Q: "Eklavya" is your first directorial venture in seven years...
A: That's right. My first since "Mission
As long as I was making good cinema I'm happy. I like to give one film all I have. And I gave "Munnabhai" all I had. "Eklavya" took almost five years to write. When Fiennes said "Eklavya" was Shakespearean I was very touched. I put him on to Abhijat Joshi who wrote the film.
The character Eklavya, which Amitabh has played is based on a story of the great Indian epic, Mahabharata. Eklavya, the prince of the Hindu lower caste, the Nishadas, went to Dronacharya, the teacher of the Pandava prince, to learn archery. Dronacharya rejected him for he came from a lower caste. Eklavya then went to the forest and built a clay statue of Dronacharya and started practicing archery. He became a supreme archer. When Dronacharya came to know about this incident, he went to Eklavya and asked for his right thumb as his Guru Dakshina, a deed of thanks paid to the teacher by student upon the completion of his training. Eklavya, without any hesitation, gave his finger.
Vidhu Vinod presents this Vedic period character in a twentieth century setting. So far, the trailer has created lots of enthusiasm among film goers. Amitabh Bachchan and Vidhu Vinod would definitely rock the Indian audience.
Related articles:
See the trailer for Eklavya at DesiLassi.com Trailer
This site features lots of other trailers as well.
Cheers. :)
Posted by: Vaibhav | February 18, 2007 2:17 PM | Permalink to Comment