Biopics, while offering a ready-made narrative, often walk a tightrope between creative freedom and historical accuracy. The film ‘Ajey: The Untold Story of a Yogi’ attempts to navigate this complex terrain, much like ‘Sanju’ before it, but does it successfully find its footing?
The Story of Ajey: The Untold Story of a Yogi
Directed by Ravindra Gautam and inspired by Shantanu Gupta’s book ‘The Monk Who Became Chief Minister’, the movie chronicles the journey of Ajey, played by Anant Joshi. The narrative begins with Ajey operating a bus in his hometown. A local conflict leads to his father sending him for higher studies, where he becomes disillusioned with college politics. He finds solace and purpose at Mahant Avaidyanath’s (Paresh Rawal) ashram, charting his transformation into Yogi Adityanath and his eventual rise to become the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh.
Ajey: The Untold Story of a Yogi Review
The initial half of the film flows well, significantly bolstered by a talented cast and competent writing from Dilip Bachchan Jha and Priyank Dubey. However, the second half tends to falter, shifting from a compelling narrative to a mere compilation of Yogi Ji’s life and accomplishments. A tighter edit by Manan Sagar could have greatly enhanced the film’s overall engagement.
Vishnu Rao’s cinematography is noteworthy, effectively capturing the scenic beauty of the hills and the serene atmosphere of the ashram. While the background score complements the first half effectively, it becomes jarring and overpowering as the protagonist gains power.
Performance-wise, Anant Joshi delivers a powerful and sincere portrayal of Ajey, reminiscent of his earnest performance in ’12th Fail’. Paresh Rawal is equally impactful, bringing a profound gravitas to his role as Mahant Avaidyanath. The supporting cast also provides convincing performances throughout.
In conclusion, ‘Ajey: The Untold Story of a Yogi’ certainly has its high points, especially in its early segments and strong performances. Yet, it buckles under its own ambitious scope. The second half’s extensive detailing of achievements detracts from the narrative flow, making the film feel more like a documentary than a captivating story. With more focused direction and sharper editing, this biopic had the potential to be truly compelling; as it stands, it’s an earnest yet uneven effort.