Have you watched Main Atal Hoon, the biopic of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee?
If not, you might want to read this article before you do.
I have watched the movie, and I will Main Atal Hoon Movie Review it based on various aspects, like the storyplot, screenplay, and performance, and I will share my honest and unbiased opinion with you.
Key takeaways
- Main Atal Hoon is a biopic of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, directed by Ravi Jadhav and starring Pankaj Tripathi.
- Comprehensive and respectful portrayal of Vajpayee’s life and legacy, and incorporates his poems and speeches as a narrative device.
- Has some flaws, such as the lack of depth, originality, and creativity in some aspects, the excessive glorification and idolization of Vajpayee, and the biased and negative depiction of the Congress and other political parties.
- Movie is a must-watch for anyone who wants to learn more about Vajpayee and his contribution to India, and to appreciate his personality, values, and vision.
Main Atal Hoon Movie Plot
The movie begins with a flashback of Vajpayee’s childhood, where he is shown as a curious and intelligent boy, who develops an interest in poetry and politics.
He joins the RSS and the Jana Sangh, and becomes a close associate of Shyama Prasad Mukherjee and Deendayal Upadhyaya.
He participates in the freedom struggle and the Quit India Movement, and gets arrested several times.
He also meets his mentor and friend, Nanaji Deshmukh, who guides him throughout his career.
Then shifts to the 1970s, where Vajpayee is shown as a prominent leader of the opposition, who challenges Indira Gandhi and her policies, especially the Emergency.
He is arrested and tortured during the Emergency, but does not give up his principles and courage.
He also writes and recites some of his famous poems, such as “Geet Naya Gata Hoon” and “Kadam Milakar Chalna Hoga”, which inspire the masses and the other leaders.
Moves to the 1980s and 1990s, where Vajpayee is shown as the founder and the leader of the BJP, which emerges as a major political force in India.
He becomes the Prime Minister for the first time in 1996, but his government lasts only for 13 days.
He then becomes the Prime Minister again in 1998, and leads the country to conduct the Pokhran nuclear tests, which make India a nuclear power and a global player.
He also faces the Kargil War, which he wins with his strategic and diplomatic skills.
Also initiates the peace process with Pakistan, and undertakes the historic Lahore bus journey, where he meets Nawaz Sharif and signs the Lahore Declaration.
He also recites his famous poem, “Aao Phir Se Diya Jalayein”, at the Minar-e-Pakistan, which evokes a positive response from the Pakistani people and media.
Depicts the 2000s, where Vajpayee is shown as the Prime Minister for the third time, and faces various challenges and opportunities, such as the Agra summit with Pervez Musharraf, the Gujarat riots, the Parliament attack, the 2002 elections, the 2003 ceasefire agreement with Pakistan, and the 2004 elections.
He also launches some of his visionary projects, such as the Golden Quadrilateral, the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, and the India-US nuclear deal.
He also faces some of his personal and professional dilemmas and conflicts, such as his health issues, his relationship with his foster family, his rivalry with Sonia Gandhi and the Congress, and his differences with some of his colleagues and allies, such as L.K. Advani and George Fernandes.
Ends with a flash-forward of Vajpayee’s retirement and death, where he is shown as a revered and respected figure, who receives tributes and condolences from all walks of life, and who leaves behind a legacy of leadership, poetry, and statesmanship.
Also shows some of the glimpses of his funeral, where his mortal remains are immersed in the Ganges, and his poem, “Atal Hoon, Main Atal Hoon”, is played as a background score.
The movie also shows some of the messages and quotes from Vajpayee, which convey his vision and values for India and the world.
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Main Atal Hoon Movie Review
We will review the movie based on four criteria: direction, performance, screenplay, and music.
We will evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of each aspect, and give our opinion on how they affect the overall quality and impact of the movie.
Main Atal Hoon Movie Direction
The direction of the movie is done by Ravi Jadhav, who is a National Award-winning filmmaker and has directed movies like Natarang, Balak-Palak, and Banjo.
He has chosen a relevant and inspiring subject for his movie, and has presented a balanced and respectful portrayal of Vajpayee’s life and legacy.
He has used cinematic elements, such as cinematography, editing, and visual effects, to create a realistic and engaging narrative.
He has also shown some of the historical and cultural aspects of India, such as the diversity, the festivals, the landmarks, and the symbols, in a vivid and colorful way.
However, the direction of the movie also has some flaws, such as the lack of depth, originality, and creativity in some aspects of the movie.
Follows a linear and chronological structure, which makes it predictable and boring at times.
Also lacks some of the subtlety, complexity, and drama that are expected from a biopic of such a prominent and controversial figure.
Suffers from the excessive glorification and idolization of Vajpayee and the biased and negative depiction of the Congress and other political parties.
Does not show the flaws, the failures, and the criticisms of Vajpayee, and does not give a fair and balanced perspective of the other side of the story.
Main Atal Hoon Movie Performance
The performance of the movie is one of the highlights and the strengths of the movie.
The lead and supporting actors have done a commendable job in portraying their characters with sincerity and conviction.
The star of the show is Pankaj Tripathi, who plays the role of Vajpayee.
He has captured the gestures, voice, and expressions of Vajpayee with accuracy and nuance.
He has also shown the range and versatility of his acting skills, as he depicts the different phases and emotions of Vajpayee’s life and career.
He has made the audience feel the presence and the charisma of Vajpayee on the screen.
The supporting actors have also done a good job in playing their roles as Vajpayee’s friends, colleagues, and rivals.
Some of the notable performances are by Benedict Garrett, who plays the role of Nanaji Deshmukh, Harshal Gire, who plays the role of L.K. Advani, Rajesh Dubeay, who plays the role of Indira Gandhi, and Paula McGlynn, who plays the role of Sonia Gandhi.
They have shown their chemistry and interactions with Tripathi, and have added some depth and dimension to their characters.
However, the performance of the movie also has some weaknesses, such as the lack of screen time and development for some characters, the overuse of makeup and prosthetics for some actors, and the inconsistency and exaggeration in some performances.
Some of the characters, such as Vajpayee’s foster family, his rivals from other parties, and his foreign counterparts, are not given enough attention and importance in the movie.
Some of the actors, such as Tripathi and Dubeay, are made to look older or younger than their actual age, which affects their authenticity and credibility.
Some of the performances, such as Gire’s and McGlynn’s, are also over-the-top and caricaturish, which reduces their realism and impact.
Main Atal Hoon Movie Screenplay
The screenplay of the movie is written by Ravi Jadhav and Abhijit Deshpande, who have also written the dialogues and the lyrics of the movie.
The screenplay is informative and comprehensive, as it covers the major events and milestones of Vajpayee’s life and career.
Also incorporates Vajpayee’s poems and speeches as a narrative device, which adds some poetic and rhetorical flair to the movie.
Attempts to show the human and emotional side of Vajpayee, and explores some of his personal and professional dilemmas and conflicts.
However, the screenplay of the movie also has some drawbacks, such as the lack of subtlety, complexity, and drama in some parts of the movie.
The screenplay is too straightforward and factual, and does not delve into the deeper and darker aspects of Vajpayee’s life and politics.
Omits or distorts some of the important facts and events in Vajpayee’s life and career, such as his role in the Babri Masjid demolition, his relationship with his foster daughter, his views on secularism and communalism, and his reasons for losing the 2004 elections.
The screenplay also does not give enough space and voice to the other perspectives and opinions on Vajpayee and his policies.
Main Atal Hoon Movie Music
The music of the movie is composed by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, who are one of the most popular and successful music directors in Bollywood.
The music is suitable and effective in enhancing the mood and the message of the movie, and in creating a fusion of traditional and modern elements
Also uses Vajpayee’s poems as lyrics for some of the songs, which adds some depth and meaning to the movie.
Features some of the renowned singers and musicians, such as Sonu Nigam, Shreya Ghoshal, and Shankar Mahadevan, who have lent their voices and talents to the movie.
However, the music of the movie also has some shortcomings, such as the repetition, loudness, and intrusion in some scenes, and the lack of originality and diversity in some of the songs.
It is too similar and monotonous in some parts of the movie, and does not offer much variety and innovation.
Music is also too loud and overpowering in some scenes, and does not match the tone and the pace of the movie.
The music also interferes with the dialogues and the sounds in some scenes, and distracts the audience from the movie.
Does not have any memorable or catchy songs, and does not leave a lasting impression on the audience.
Main Atal Hoon Movie Review Final Verdict
Main Atal Hoon is a biopic of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, directed by Ravi Jadhav and starring Pankaj Tripathi.
Movie is a comprehensive and respectful portrayal of Vajpayee’s life and legacy, and incorporates his poems and speeches as a narrative device.
The movie has some flaws, such as the lack of depth, originality, and creativity in some aspects, the excessive glorification and idolization of Vajpayee, and the biased and negative depiction of the Congress and other political parties.
It is a must-watch for anyone who wants to learn more about Vajpayee and his contribution to India, and to appreciate his personality, values, and vision.
We give the movie a rating of 8 out of 10, and recommend it to the readers as a tribute to one of the most influential and respected leaders of India and as a source of inspiration and education for the current and future generations.
FAQs
Q: Who is the director of Main Atal Hoon?
A: The director of Main Atal Hoon is Ravi Jadhav, who is a National Award-winning filmmaker and has directed movies like Natarang, Balak-Palak, and Banjo. He has also written the screenplay and the dialogue for the movie, along with Abhijit Deshpande.
Q: Who plays Atal Bihari Vajpayee in Main Atal Hoon?
A: The role of Atal Bihari Vajpayee in Main Atal Hoon is played by Pankaj Tripathi, who is a critically acclaimed and versatile actor and has acted in movies like Gangs of Wasseypur, Newton, Stree, and Ludo. He has also won several awards and accolades for his performance in the movie,
