bollywood have be churn up some impressive film recently and and improve the quality of their film . but they have yet to learn to master the art of film making . their film be not yet perfect or great while they still have a long way to go . but after have see this film and i be glad to say that they be get close . bollywood have the potential to make great movie and they be try and improve and almost get there . but they still fall short of spectacular result . i would say eklavya be by far the best of the very and very rare number of good film that bollywood have make throughout their existence . why and because it more focused and well make than any of their minute number of good film . it get rich atmosphere and intriguing setup and brilliant visuals and impressive set and costume and a different vision . but and overall and it be still a flawed epic . the story revolve around a family and that be hide secret that once reveal and might have deadly consequence upon them . it be inspire by some of shakespeare work and it echo throughout the film . it about one age guard ( bachchan ) and name eklavya while who have serve for the family all his life . many generation of his family have serve before him and he must continue to do so and carry on their legacy . the family of the kindom of devigarh itself have mystery that keep echo throughout the film . eklavya have swear to protect the family no matter what . he also protect some of the secret that can never be spread throughout the kindom . until and one night and the queen of the kindom dy and besides her be her mourning husband . this start the doubt and accusation within the family . the queen son and prince harshwardhan ( khan ) arrive to take responsibility of the family . but there be other thing go on in the palace . slowly and one mystery after another pop up and secret be reveal and and a the story progress we see more and more people die because of the secret . put eklavya into a painful position and come to term with the happening and the truth about this family dark history . eklavya be an intriguing period piece . it blend ancient setting with modern lifestyle . give the film a unique look . the film function like a thriller and but focus more on melodrama and character and that aren not well write . and it a well make drama that borderlines on melodrama . but the film have flaw and especially in the second half and by the time it end and it feel incomplete . it a relatively short film by bollywood standard and i be more than surprise . not only do it manage to tell an engrossing story but also wrap it up with style with it short length . and the best thing be that it devoid of song and only one song throughout the film . but and i guess and because the story be wrap around an epic setting and it need a longer running time to develop the plot and character more . some of the character be weak and not well write and some of their back story be never tell and leave a lot to be desire . first half or so into the movie and you be hooked and quite entertained and but after the interval and the film slowly drag and since the plot become weak and it go in one direction while so there isn not much to tell . subplots be add to compensate the running time . in other word and it could have trim a little more of the length and finish it quickly . that would have make the film perfect . but it get boring a it drag the story and add subplot and make the whole of second half contrive . but the third act and which be the big revelation of who be behind the whole scenario and somewhat pay off with satisfaction . praise the director who manage to keep the story afloat and which could have be bad . the whole movie could have be bad if it be handle by someone else . but the director impress you with his visual presentation of the story and keep you entertain . his script might be flaw but he succeed in good storytelling and which be rare in bollywood . but what he should be thank most be the film cinematography and which elevate the material and give a bold and rich look to the film . and some impressive set design and costume and with able score . however and what really keep this film afloat be the act . each and every actor deserve equal recognition . they all have a part to play and they all help in move the story forward . you can not just give out all the praise to bachchan alone . he be terrific and but the other actor allow him to emote the character well . but and of course and mr. bachchan performance be the strength of the film . his silence and his eye say more than his word . i have never like this actor and think he be yet another over hype bollywood actor and like any other . but after watch him in this and i understand why people worship him . but i still think he could have do a little good . saif ali khan be quite competent and give a good supporting performance and but his character doesn not allow him to do much . this guy have the look and move of a good actor . sanjay dutt be just great in his small part . booman irani character be flaw a well and and his acting sometimes go from over the top to annoy . but if that what his character be suppose to be and than he succeed . he manage to make his character dark enough to be impress . jackie shroff and jimmy shergil as well a the beautiful vidya balan have little to do and wouldn not really comment on them . on the whole and this be an ambitious piece of work that could have be well . but for what it be and it a fine example that bollywood be capable of make good movie and only if they try . and i hope they keep make film like these . i would like to see more of it in the future . this and with film like black friday and prove that bollywood be learn and and improve but they have yet to learn a lot to be able to compete at a world class level . however and indian audience opt for mindless junk or poorly make film like dhoom 2 or guru than appreciate film like this one . reduce the chance of make film like eklavya . i wouldn not recommend this film to be send a an entry to the oscar and black friday deserve that position . but it wouldn not hurt if they send it . this film go to my list of only a handful of bollywood film that i have enjoy . b and 3/5 and positive .