venkat1926 excellent acting by Amitab Bachan Saif Ali Khan and cameo role by Raima Sen. Vidya balan is wasted. the cutting and editing is very good. But the story is nothing to do with Ekalavya except for some mambo jumbo of Dharma. The foreign audience cannot even understand the Puranic concept of Dharma. I saw somewhere "dalit history". where is the history of dalits come here. I do not think any queen would have allowed a Dalit to impregnate daughter in law. This is unrealistic even though politically correct. Besides in a feudal society a Dalit would not have become a Royal guard. This is not Dalit History in a feudal ambiance.At the same time the story is interesting and the final twist is somewhat reasonable though little melodramatic.

Avinash Patalay The experience of watching Eklavya is akin to reading a novel - the plot unfolds with each passing page. Vidhu has done a commendable job on this front. The visuals are stunning very much Hollywood standards. The pain and anguish of Eklavya were a bit Over-the-top. Nishabd (sans voice-over) is a classic example for a true-to-life depiction of the same emotion.Couple of scenes impress and noteworthy to mention are the train sequence and the archery. However the latter appears to be force-fit into the story. Performances::¤ Amitabh:: Needs no mention as usual. Having said that, Mr. Chopra you have under-utilised the given opportunity.¤ Sharmila Tagore:: Had very limited screen time.¤ Saif:: Restrained performance doesn't suit him…. yet!¤ Vidya Balan:: Not one of those Parineeta performances and no scope in the script either.¤ Sanjay Dutt, Raima Sen, Boman Irani, Parikshit Sahani :: No great shakes – sleepwalking roles.That bring to ask, why attempt to assemble the entire star cast of VVC Camp?The movie was pushed against the wall publicity-wise hence ends up working against it. Expectations run high and the delivery fails to impress.And the climax is a major downer, very-very Bollywoodish. Definitely not expected out of talented Vidhu (Devil's advocate: maybe he is over-hyped). And spending five years to pen it is a bit too far fetched. PS: Parinda moment? Oh, just stop it and go away!

peace-dove Robert L. Friedman, the former President of Columbia Pictures and AMC Theaters applauded it as one of the great foreign films to have graced Hollywood in recent years. He further added, "The caring and most talented direction by Vidhu Vinod Chopra is worthy of maximum praise and awards. Mr. Chopra has created a masterpiece via this film, thanks to his genuine insight and love for his film vehicle. 'Eklavya' is a movie that transcends all geographical boundaries - a movie for all people, everywhere, it represents the very best that India's great film-making community has to offer." Lionel Wigram, Producer of the Harry Potter films, said "It's a masterpiece and I can safely say that it stands an excellent chance of winning India a much awaited Oscar in the foreign film category."Jeffery Silver, Producer of the film 300, found it to be "a thriller that elevates to the level of art." The critics have also been unanimous in their praise:"Vidhu Vinod Chopra's propulsive 'Eklavya: The Royal Guard' has epic sweep." - Los Angeles Times "Maybe it's the trains. Maybe it's the camels. Maybe it's the intermission. No matter: Something about "Eklavya: The Royal Guard" suggests a lost film by David Lean." - Los Angeles Times"...clearly has a heart for the classics" - New York Times "A Shakespearean tragedy" - Variety Int'l"Vidhu Vinod Chopra is a poet on celluloid" - The Times of India "Eklavya unites the best of Bollywood past and present" - LA Weekly "This is robust storytelling, with blood and thunder pumping through its veins, and real whiskers on its face." - LA Weekly"Far from typical. Very strong and very Shakespearean" - The Sunday Telegraph, UK"Polished and energetic" - The Sunday Times, UK"It's strikingly shot, elegantly plotted Shakespearean drama of palace intrigue and revenge." - The Independent, UK"robustly unassuming and entertaining" - The Guardian, UK"... Gives any House of Flying Daggers set piece a run for its money." - Metro, UK"Film-maker Vidhu Vinod Chopra's mature, confident pacing, gifted eye for composition and impressive talent for choreography raises the bar" - Metro, UK "Engaging Indian drama" - The Daily Telegraph, UK"Put your hands together for one of the finest films to come out of the Hindi film industry!" - indiafm.com"Masterpiece" - Rediff.com "A Must-Watch" - Rediff.com, USA"Eklavya is visually stunning. The performances are even more impressive. But the theme itself is the star." - Bombay Times, Times of India"Eklavya indeed marks the revival of Indian cinema" - Business of Cinema"Eklavya - The Royal Treat" - Glamsham.com "The aesthetics - exemplary; the almost song-less grand illusion - world class." - Mumbai Mirror"Brilliantly written scenes lift the script and enthrall your senses" - Mid-Day

virindra This movie begins very annoying. The name Eklavya is repeated again and again. It is so very annoying that you are gonna shout; "Yes! I know what the name of the movie is! Get over it!" Then the movie starts slowly to become a very original type of movies. The cast is great. Amitabh is on his best. He plays a guard of the king, but as a guard he is the father of the children of the king.The movie goes on when even the king gets to know the guard is the father of his children. And then thing are getting very hot.Story is very great. The plot twists are fenomable. You may not and cannot miss this movie. Highly recommended.