Eklavya featured an enviable cast featuring Saif Ali Khan, his real-life mother Sharmila Tagore - also playing his reel life mother, Vidya Balan, Amitabh Bachchan, Sanjay Dutt, among others and revolved around the life of a royal family and its skeletons in the closet. The film also marked the collaboration of Amitabh Bachchan and filmmaker Vidhu Vinod Chopra and the latter confessed that the megastar has actually tolerated him and as a token of gratitude, he gifted him a Rolls Royce.
In an interview with Siddharth Kanan, Vidhu Vinod Chopra recalled shooting for the Saif Ali Khan starrer saying, “When we were making Eklavya, Amitabh Bachchan came to the sets with one suitcase for a schedule of two months. I asked, ‘Amit, you travel very light?’ He said, ‘No, Jaya told me ‘more than one week you cannot stand Vinod’.” He went on to appreciate the actor’s dedication and enthusiasm as he completed the 10 days of shoot schedule. He added, “But because he did not leave and completed the whole film, I gifted him a Rolls Royce worth Rs 4.5 crore, because he tolerated me and did a great work in the film.”
However, in 2019, a report revealed that Amitabh Bachchan had sold the car to a certain Ruhman Khan for approximately Rs. 3.5 crores. However, in the said report it was being said that the megastar had cherished this gift from Chopra and was seen even spotted driving it around in the city.
Coming to the film Eklavya: The Royal Guard, the film released in 2007. It also featured Boman Irani, Jackie Shroff, Raima Sen, Jimmy Sheirgill, Parikshat Sahani, Pankaj Jha, among others in important roles.
Also Read: Amitabh Bachchan extends blessings to Agastya Nanda on debut film The Archies; says, “You carry the torch ably ahead”
