The life story of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, from his early days as an RSS volunteer to his tenure as the Prime Minister of India, will be depicted in the upcoming film ‘Main Atal Hoon’. The film features Pankaj Tripathi in the lead role. Vajpayee is recognized globally as the leader who established India as a nuclear power, championed peace, and led the country to victory in the Kargil war. He is also remembered for his poetic recitations in the parliament.
‘Main Atal Hoon’ has received mixed reviews. Pankaj Tripathi’s portrayal of Vajpayee was universally praised. The film’s narrative was considered engaging and authentic by Times of India, but they noted that some understanding of Indian politics might be necessary.
The Indian Express expressed disappointment with the script, stating that it reduced the film to a hagiography and failed to capture Vajpayee’s multifaceted personality. The Hindu described the film as a largely fawning tribute and an uneven homage to Vajpayee, but noted it as a good opportunity to understand the rise of right-wing politics in India.
Bollywood Bubble criticized the film for its verbose writing, slow-paced narrative, inconsistent screenplay, and banal music, stating that it relied heavily on Tripathi’s performance. Film Companion also criticized the film’s stagey and dull filmmaking, weak period detail, and apprehensive approach.