Bollywood Trade News Network

It is well known that Vidhu Vinod Chopra is a stickler for perfection --his films PARINDA, 1942- A LOVE STORY, MISSION KASHMIR are a testament to this.  But his penchant for details reached new heights in the forthcoming EKLAVYA. 
 
Utmost care was taken to get the right look for all characters in this opus, especially the look for his lead protagonist Eklavya – Amitabh Bachchan.

Commenting on the same, Vinod Chopra said, “ The look had to be contemporary at the same time have a hint of the traditions of India, that’s what EKLAVYA is all about; hence a lot of effort  was taken for Bachchan’s bearded look and costumes in the film to appear authentic. Mr. Bachchan was gracious enough to toil through the numerous beard and costume tests to finally get the right look”.

Fashion designer Raghuvendra Rathore in addition to VCF's regular costume designer Subarna Rai Chaudhari created a blue print for the costumes. Raghuvendra hails from the royal clan of Jodhpur.  His input and advice was sought to ensure authenticity.  When Mr. Bachchan who plays Eklavya was shown the sketch he became so excited that he immediately told his personal trainer that he must exercise harder so that he can resemble the sketch as closely as possible.

As Bachchan himself puts it, “With Vinod being the perfectionist that he is, he tried his level best to convince me to stop all other work to grow a real beard to get the authentic look. Since that wasn’t possible, we ended up having several sittings – beard trials to get the right hair colour etc. This was just the beginning…then we went on to the turban, then the dress which went on for months. I eventually realized Vinod has a penchant for perfection and I like that attitude. It’s wonderful to be told after 35 years that I think you are wrong and this should be done in this manner and that’s what Vinod did and I appreciate that. I hope the look is finally presentable and people will like it”.

EKLAVYA – The Royal Guard, a film by Vidhu Vinod Chopra is slated for release on 16th February 2007. The film stars Amitabh Bachchan, Sanjay Dutt, Saif Ali Khan, Vidya Balan, Jackie Shroff, Boman Irani, Jimmy Shergill, Raima Sen and Sharmila Tagore.