Main Atal Hoon is a Hindi biographical film that was released on 19 January 2024. It is directed by Ravi Jadhav and written by Rishi Virmani. It stars Pankaj Tripathi as former Prime Minister of India, Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
The film follows the life and political career of Vajpayee, who was not only a politician but also a poet, a gentleman, and a statesman. The film highlights Vajpayee’s role in leading India during some of its most challenging times, such as the Kargil War with Pakistan and the Pokhran nuclear tests. It also explores the man behind the politician, revealing his personal struggles and relationships with family and friends, as well as his love for poetry and literature.
The film stands tall on the basis of Tripathi’s performance, the direction, the screenplay, and the music.
Pankaj Tripathi delivers a pitch-perfect performance as Vajpayee, capturing his mannerisms, speech, and personality. He is the highlight of the film and the reason to watch it.
The film is a homage to Vajpayee’s legacy, but it fails to explore his complexities and contradictions. It is more of hagiography than a biography. It glosses over the controversial aspects of his politics and ideology, and focuses only on the positive achievements.
The film is well-directed by Ravi Jadhav, who has a flair for musicals and visuals. The film has a good soundtrack and cinematography, and uses archival footage to enhance the authenticity. However, the script is weak and reductive, and the narration is too explanatory and repetitive.
The film is a great opportunity to learn about the life and times of one of India’s most admired leaders, but it does not do justice to his multiple facets. It is a missed chance to delve deeper into his personal struggles, relationships, and influences. It is more of a fan tribute than a critical assessment.