Pankaj Tripathi Shines in MAIN ATAL HOON: A Biopic of Atal Bihari Vajpayee
In a dramatic retelling of the life of India’s esteemed leader, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Pankaj Tripathi delivers an outstanding performance in the movie MAIN ATAL HOON. The film follows the life of Vajpayee, portrayed by Tripathi, living in Agra with his family. The story kicks off with Vajpayee as a schoolboy in 1938, struggling to recite a poem in front of his class after forgetting the lines. His father, played by Piyush Mishra, imparts a valuable lesson that resonates with him throughout his rise as a great orator.
Following his journey, Vajpayee becomes associated with prominent figures such as Shyama Prasad Mukherjee and Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay, and eventually joins the Akhil Bhartiya Jana Sangh political party, later becoming a Member of Parliament. As the political landscape in the country begins to deteriorate with the mysterious deaths of Mukherjee and Upadhyay, Vajpayee takes it upon himself to address the pressing issues for the sake of the nation.
Inspired by Sarang Darshane’s book ‘Atalji: Kavihridayachye Rashtranetyachi Charitkahani,’ the film, directed by Ravi Jadhav and co-written by Rishi Virmani and Ravi Jadhav (with Amol Bhor and Mayuresh Bhor), boasts a compelling storyline that could have translated into a great biopic. However, its screenplay fails to fully captivate the audience, only skimming through episodes without providing in-depth connections with the narrative. As a result, the film’s impact is somewhat diluted, despite the sharp dialogue.
Despite its narrative shortcomings, the film manages to excel in technical aspects, securing it a grand appeal on the big screen. Pankaj Tripathi’s portrayal of Vajpayee is a noteworthy highlight, bringing depth and authenticity to the character. His performance is a pivotal factor in making the film engaging and watchable.
While some scenes stand out for their impact, MAIN ATAL HOON is criticized for attempting to cover too many life episodes of the former Prime Minister, resulting in a disjointed and rushed narrative that leaves several sequences underdeveloped. The film’s failure to elucidate crucial aspects, such as Vajpayee’s family and the return of Indira Gandhi to power in 1980, adds to its overall disjointedness.
In addition to Tripathi’s stellar performance, the supporting cast delivers commendable performances, contributing to the overall cinematic experience. However, the film’s forgettable soundtrack fails to leave a lasting impression, despite commendable cinematography, production design, and costumes.
In conclusion, MAIN ATAL HOON triumphs on the strength of Pankaj Tripathi’s exceptional performance, despite its flawed and disjointed narrative. The film’s limited hype poses a challenge at the box office, hindering its potential success.
With Pankaj Tripathi as the driving force, MAIN ATAL HOON provides a compelling look into the life of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, though it falls short in delivering a fully immersive biopic experience.