Pankaj does not just play Vajpayee – he becomes him.
Main Atal Hoon is a patriotic biopic that chronicles the eventful life of the former Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
The character is brought to life by the extremely talented Pankaj Tripathi, who melds into the soul of Vajpayee, showing his acting range to the highest degree.
The film was released on January 19, 2024, and marks the first Hindi film to be directed by Ravi Jadhav.
The movie is a sincere effort to portray the life of one of India’s most prominent and historic politicians.
There is no denying that Vajpayee created a name for himself in Indian political history, but has his biopic earned a significant place in Bollywood history?
Seeking an answer to this question? Look no further because DESIblitz is here to help you decide whether to watch Main Atal Hoon or not.
An Emotionally Engaging Story
When making a biopic of anyone, it is essential to strike a balance between facts and drama.
If someone simply wants to learn about a historic figure, they will likely go to the library or surf the web.
On the other hand, if a biopic interests them and they go to a cinema, they are expected to be entertained as well as educated.
Main Atal Hoon perfects this balance, as the film is rich with emotionally compelling drama that will stay with the audience long after they have left their seats.
The film opens with children laughing at a young Vajpayee who has forgotten his speech on stage. He laments to his father that he rehearsed his speech for hours.
His father tells him that someone who practices their lines in front of a mirror is not a true speaker – one must always speak directly to people.
Vajpayee plays on his name and replies that he is “atal” (firm). This idea of firmness echoes throughout the film.
As we move from Vajpayee’s childhood, Pankaj Tripathi takes him through his studies, his foray into politics and his many inspiring speeches.
There is also a romantic angle between Vajpayee and Rajkumari Kaul (Ekta Kaul). However, they appear to fall for each other just because one of his speeches moves Rajkumari.
Therefore, it feels as if this relationship is tacked on, just to fulfil the typical formula of Bollywood films having an element of romance.
Nevertheless, the film always brings itself back on track through the racy and interesting script by Ravi and Rishi Virmani.
There are jaw-dropping scenes such as Vajpayee’s room being burnt in the aftermath of Mahatma Gandhi’s assassination and every time the politician delivers a speech, the audience will just want to cheer.
This rousing spirit is embedded into Main Atal Hoon, which strengthens its power and instils positivity in viewers.
Excellent Performances
If Pankaj Tripathi did not deliver a great performance, there is a chance that the film could have suffered.
However, Pankaj does not just play Vajpayee – he becomes him.
The actor is a popular star through previous characters, but baggage from prior roles is non-existent in this movie.
Pankaj portrays Vajpayee with such sensitivity and earnestness that the audience struggles to look away every time he is onscreen.
Eclipsing his every scene with gravitas and depth, the star imbues complexity and nuance into the character.
However, he is not the only one to shine in this patriotic canvas of storytelling.
Piyush Mishra inhabits the world of Krishna Bihari Vajpayee, Atal Bihari’s father.
A guiding figure and a light in his son’s path, Piyush provides a solid backbone to the film. He is the moon that presides over the stars that glisten in Pankaj’s character.
Known for his impeccable comic timing, Piyush showcases his comedic genius in a scene where Krishna gatecrashes Atal Bihari’s place of education.
Every child can relate to the heart-warming, innocent embarrassment they sometimes feel towards their parents.
On the other side of the coin, Piyush also shines with dignity in iconography in which Krishna Bihari imparts words of wisdom and advice to his son.
In smaller roles, Payal Nair as Indira Gandhi and Raja Rameshkumar Sevak as LK Advani also provide doses of magnificence in their scenes.
Every player in Main Atal Hoon deserves applause. They utilise their moment in the spotlight and the result is there for all to see.
Riveting but Cliche Dialogue
Main Atal Hoon is compelling but there exists a countless amount of Bollywood films that explore patriotism as its main theme.
Such films include Upkar (1967), Sarfarosh (1999), Chak De India (2007) and Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi (2019).
It is therefore obvious that some of the dialogues in Main Atal Hoon feel cliche and repetitive.
In one of his speeches, Vajpayee declares:
“I do not want your money. I have the blessings of my Mother India.”
There is a chance that viewers, who are particularly fans of patriotic dramas, will find such lines a bit redundant.
One might argue, however, that language like this is unavoidable in that it is fitting to Vajpayee’s life and career.
Vajpayee epitomises courage when he says:
“People better get used to seeing me rise again.”
This capitalises on the central theme of bravery and resolve. The aforementioned Rajkumari mentions to Vajpayee:
“You are always ahead of your time.”
One can take inspiration from Vajpayee’s proactiveness and sharp mind.
While somewhat cliche, the riveting dialogue does instil courage and inspiration which is the objective of the film.
Direction and Execution
For a filmmaker helming his first Hindi motion picture, Ravi Jadhav begins with a bang in the form of this movie.
The film proves Ravi’s confidence and grit in executing a tough subject matter about a sensitive topic.
The cinematography beautifully captures the grandeur of the large crowds and elegant Parliament and the sound mixing nails the pitch that the rousing scenes require.
Talented singers including Shreya Ghoshal, Kailash Kher and Jubin Nautiyal adorn the soundtrack.
Numbers such as ‘Desh Pehle‘ and ‘Ankaha’ decorate the film with brashness and colour.
For any film to succeed, apt casting is of paramount importance.
Ravi sheds a light on casting Pankaj in the title role:
“Pankaj Tripathi’s transparent personality uniquely qualifies him to portray Atal Ji on screen.
“So, for me and the producers, Pankaj Tripathi was the only choice for Main Atal Hoon.
“The first-look image of Pankaj Tripathi confirmed that we made the right decision.”
This intuition describes that Ravi knew exactly what would work for the film and it is this ingenuity that makes the film such a satisfying watch.
Pankaj also delves into what his thoughts were while portraying Vajpayee:
“While portraying the character, I have tried to bring out the thought process and ideologies of Atal Ji on screen.
“I didn’t focus solely on replicating his physical appearance.”
At a run time of just under two hours, the film is crisp, engaging and groundbreaking.
For that, Ravi Jadhav and Pankaj Tripathi deserve every ounce of adulation that comes their way.
Main Atal Hoon thrives on a nuanced narrative and the compassionate portrayal of Pankaj Tripathi.
The director and the crew craft the movie in such an enthralling manner that the viewer is afraid to so much as turn away for a second, lest they miss a single moment.
Atal Bihari Vajapayee’s life is one that will inspire and move the audience to bring about change whenever the need arises.
His gripping saga shines brightly in this film.
With Main Atal Hoon premiering on ZEE5 Global on March 14, 2024, don’t miss the opportunity to watch Ravi Jadhav’s masterpiece.
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