The look

As a story set in modern India , but in a place where the traditions of past still live and rule,
what would Ekalavya – the royal guard look like?

Much has been said about the development of Mr.Bachchan's look for the film and it is all true!! The character was larger than life and yet had to not like he emerged out of some history book. He was to be of the past and yet not dated. He was to be aged and venerable yet heroic. These were not contradictions but facets of the character as envisioned in the script.

The beard however was a cause of great unrest for a while. Mr.Bachchan has sported all kinds of beards in his career but nothing seemed to strike the right cord with the personality of Ekalavya. The Beard makers used to try all the beards they had and then would park themselves at Animagic premises trying out options on photographs and modifying them according to some sketch that Vinod may have liked or their own ideas about length and color. There were so many options!!


Finally we hit bullseye and the matter was settled. Interestingly he looked more like the storyboards than ever before!!