FILM REVIEW: AJEY - THE UNTOLDSTORY OF A YOGI

REVIEW BY

SUYASH PACHAURI [GLOBAL BOLLYWOOD] & [DIRECTOR'S DAILY CLAPBOARD]

Introduction

Ajey: The Untold Story Of A Yogi, produced by Samrat Cinematics and directed by Ravindra Gautam, aims to chronicle the life of one of India’s most prominent political figures, Yogi Adityanath, the current Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh. Based on Shantanu Gupta’s biography, the film is a biographical political drama that traces the transformation of a young boy named Ajey into a Hindu monk and ultimately, a political leader.

Released on 19th September 2025 in select cinemas across India, including limited screenings in Bombay through AA Films, the film attempts to blend political history, religious conviction, and personal transformation. While the film offers an intriguing insight into Yogi Adityanath’s journey, it ultimately appeals more to his admirers and the politically inclined rather than a universal audience.

Synopsis

The film opens with a glimpse into Ajey Singh Bisht’s early life in the hills of Uttarakhand. From a young age, Ajey exhibits a spiritual inclination and a disciplined mindset. The story quickly transitions into his adolescence and early adulthood, where his ideological convictions deepen. This journey is marked by his spiritual initiation into the Gorakhnath Math by his guru, referred to in the film as Bada Maharaj (played by Paresh Rawal).

Ajey’s transformation into Yogi Adityanath is portrayed with a mix of reverence and dramatization. The narrative captures key events in his life, including his rise as a prominent leader in Gorakhpur, his initial brush with political activism, and the turning point that led him to become a member of Parliament. The film culminates in his eventual rise to the position of Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, showcasing both political strategy and personal sacrifice.

While the film offers a structured look into his life, it often treats its subject with a tone of glorification, steering away from nuanced or critical perspectives.

Story, Screenplay & Dialogues

The story, penned by Dilip Bachchan Jha and Priyank Dubey, is structured and coherent. It makes a conscious attempt to showcase not only Yogi Adityanath’s political ascent but also his personal and spiritual development. The narrative is clearly shaped to reflect a biographical homage rather than an objective recounting.

The screenplay flows steadily, especially in the first half, maintaining a fair pace. It effectively presents key life phases without getting bogged down by unnecessary subplots. However, the second half becomes somewhat repetitive, especially once political events take center stage. The writers refrain from presenting controversial or contradictory moments from Yogi’s career, which limits the dramatic depth of the film.

Dialogues are appropriate and suit the tone of the film. They are impactful in moments where ideological convictions and moral choices are discussed but largely remain simple and uncontroversial.

Performances

The acting is one of the film’s strong suits:

• Anant Vijay Joshi, in the titular role of Ajey/Yogi Adityanath, delivers a convincing and controlled performance. He captures the intensity and restraint of the character well, especially in spiritual and political confrontations. While physical resemblance is mild, Joshi’s body language and sincerity lend credibility to the portrayal.

• Paresh Rawal as Bada Maharaj is a standout. He brings gravitas and warmth to the role of the spiritual mentor. His screen presence elevates several scenes, especially those that delve into the guru-disciple relationship.

• Pavan Malhotra impresses in the role of Ajey’s father, providing a grounded and emotional layer to the early parts of the story. His performance is restrained yet impactful.

• Garima Vikrant Singh is effective as Ajey’s mother, portraying concern and quiet strength.

• Rajesh Khatter as Mushtaq, a character symbolizing ideological opposition, is fairly decent, although his role remains underexplored.

• Dinesh Lal Yadav Nirahua plays journalist Dhananjay with acceptable competence, although the character seems more like a narrative device than a fully fleshed-out individual.

  
  

Supporting performances from Ajey Mengi and others are passable, though no other character gets enough screen time to leave a lasting impression.

Direction

Director Ravindra Gautam handles the material with sincerity and restraint. His approach is more documentary-esque in tone, particularly in how he narrates the transformation from a yogi to a political leader. However, the direction lacks a bold or cinematic flair. Gautam chooses not to challenge the narrative, instead sticking closely to a reverential tone throughout.

While this approach might appeal to supporters of the subject, it limits the film’s potential for broader appeal. A more balanced or nuanced direction could have deepened audience engagement, even among those not politically aligned with Yogi Adityanath.

Music and Background Score

The music by Meet Bros. is serviceable but lacks mass appeal. There are no standout tracks that linger in memory. The songs seem placed more for narrative utility than musical enjoyment. Given the serious tone of the film, this approach might be intentional, but it still leaves the soundtrack feeling forgettable.

The background score, also by Meet Bros., fares better. It supports the film’s dramatic and emotional beats effectively, especially during scenes of transformation, conflict, or realization.

Cinematography and Visuals

Vishnu Rao’s cinematography is visually appealing, particularly in the scenes set in the Himalayan foothills and the interiors of the math (monastery). The camera work captures both the austerity of spiritual life and the intensity of political rallies and speeches. Lighting is used effectively to highlight mood transitions from meditative calm to political urgency.

Action sequences, though limited, are competently handled by Sunil Yadav, especially in scenes involving political unrest or protests. These scenes, while not central to the narrative, add moments of energy.

Editing and Production Design

Manan Sagar’s editing is fairly sharp. The film’s pacing is steady for the most part, though a few stretches in the second half could have been tighter. The editing does a good job of transitioning between timelines: childhood, spiritual years, and political ascent.

Udai Prakash Singh’s production design reflects authenticity. From the ashram settings to election campaigns, the sets feel real without being overly dramatized or stylized.

Publicity and Reception

Despite its fairly decent production values and strong performances, the film has suffered from below-par publicity. Released in select theaters with limited promotions, its box office opening was weak across most regions, including key metropolitan areas. However, the film has found some traction in pockets like Uttar Pradesh, where the subject matter holds cultural and political resonance.

Final Verdict

Ajey: The Untold Story Of A Yogi is a well-intentioned biographical drama that faithfully chronicles the rise of Yogi Adityanath from a spiritual seeker to a political leader. Strong performances by Anant Vijay Joshi and Paresh Rawal, along with competent direction and cinematography, lend the film credibility.

However, its limited emotional depth, lack of narrative complexity, and overly respectful tone restrict its appeal. For fans and followers of Yogi Adityanath or those interested in Indian political biographies, the film may hold some value. But for the average moviegoer, it might come across as too niche, too safe, and not emotionally engaging enough.

REVIEW BY

SUYASH PACHAURI [GLOBAL BOLLYWOOD] & [DIRECTOR'S DAILY CLAPBOARD]