Sam Bahadur Movie Review
Throughout his life, he was someone who spoke his mind and was known for his integrity and honour. He was said to be one of the favourite military officers of both PM Nehru and PM Indira Gandhi. Nehru sent him, alongwith VP Menon, to Kashmir. While Maharaja Hari Singh was signing the Instrument of Accession, Manehshaw took an aerial survey and got a first hand knowledge of the moments of the Pakistani troops. He advised Nehru to immediately deploy troops to save Kashmir.
Indira gave him the command of the 1971 campaign and thanks to his foresight and planning, Pakistan was soundly defeated. He was made the first Field Marshal of independent India, just before his retirement in 1973.
This context is necessary as the present generation would have little to no idea about a general who was a true patriot in the real sense of the word. Director Meghna Gulzar takes us through the career of the celebrated soldier, beginning with his training period – he was one of the first candidates of the newly minted Indian Military Academy in Dehradun – and ending with his appointment as field marshal.
We see all the important landmarks of his career. Care has been taken to make the war scenes authentic. And kudos to the production design and the costume design team to make the film look as real as possible. But the film feels like a disjointed history lesson. It's as if the makers are in a hurry to rush from one bullet point to another, without taking a breather in between. As a result, we hardly catch any personal glimpses of Sam, the person. We don’t know how he was with his parents, with his siblings, his daughters. Yes, there are a few portions where we see him interacting with his wife Silloo but they don’t complete the larger picture.
Nehru and Indira were said to be two of the most charismatic political figures. Indira, in particular, was called the ‘Iron Lady’. The success of the 1971 war and the creation of Bangladesh owes much to the political manoeuvring of Indira Gandhi. She tried to appease the Americans on one hand and signed a treaty with the Soviets on the other. It’s thanks to her that Pakistan’s efforts to raise sanctions against India got thwarted in the UN. The present film paints them as fragile figures. Neeraj Kabi plays Nehru as being a weak leader both in body and spirit and Fatima Sana Shaikh’s version of Indira Gandhi comes across as a vulnerable woman who looks like she would faint at the next gust of strong wind. Their iron-willed personalities don’t come across at all.
Sanya Malhotra has a whale of a time playing Silloo. She makes the love, pride and respect an army wife feels for her man come alive on screen. She and Vicky share a spark on screen and look good together. Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub has outdone himself playing Pakistani General and later President Yahya Khan. His impassioned speech on the Partition of India remains one of the highlights of the film. Vicky Kaushal channels his inner Dev Anand to play the title character. The actor, as always, has immersed himself in the character. He plays it with inherent conviction and has given his all to the role. It’s another fine performance by a consummate actor.
Overall, watch the film for its documentation of the life of one of our great generals. And for Vicky Kaushal's finely-tuned performance.
Trailer : Sam Bahadur
Abhishek Srivastava, December 1, 2023, 1:00 AM IST
Sam Bahadur Story: 'Sam Bahadur' chronicles the life of Sam Manekshaw, the legendary Chief of Army Staff, who later ascended to the position of Field Marshal. The film explores the milestones of his illustrious career.
Sam Bahadur Review: 'Sam Bahadur,' despite narrating the tale of a legendary Indian Army personnel, carries a distinctive flavour that sets it apart from other films in its genre. The narrative unveils aspects previously unknown to the audience, shedding light on Sam Manekshaw's close relationship with General Yahya Khan from Pakistan. The film also delves into the challenges he faced, including efforts to label him as anti-national by someone close, and showcasing his candid behaviour, such as playfully referring to Indira Gandhi as 'Sweetie.' Vicky Kaushal's superlative performance brings the character to life, providing a portrayal that feels remarkably authentic. However, regardless of the film's success on various fronts and its overall engaging quality, there is a certain lack of cohesion. While watching, one can't shake the impression that several milestones from Sam Manekshaw's illustrious career have been pieced together, resulting in a slightly underwhelming final outcome.
One glaring drawback of the film lies in its inability to generate heightened tension and intrigue. 'Sam Bahadur' presents several moments ripe for such dramatic intensity, but the screenplay falls short in effectively incorporating them. Another shortcoming surfaces in the film's treatment of its female characters. Sanya Malhotra, in the role of Sam's wife, makes only fleeting appearances, contributing little to the film's plot. In portraying Indira Gandhi, known for her strong will and assertiveness, Fatima Sana Shaikh falls short of bringing this crucial element to the forefront.
The film, however, is not devoid of moments that significantly contribute to its overall charm. Sam's interactions and shared moments with Gurkha soldiers, his comical exchanges with the grumpy South Indian cook, and the scenes featuring his encounters with Indira Gandhi-all add a unique flavor to the narrative. The film effectively captures the synergy between Sam and Indira Gandhi, showcasing their ability to understand and respect each other's perspectives. The initial scenes depicting Sam's sojourns in Mussoorie and Firozpur play a crucial role in shaping his character arc. They highlight the core essence of Sam as a no-nonsense, non-conformist soldier willing to go to any lengths to serve his country.
Undoubtedly, the standout element of the film is Vicky Kaushal's performance. Kaushal once again takes on the challenge of embodying a real-life character for the screen, and this time too he comes out with flying colours. His impeccable mannerisms, flawless diction, and the authoritative aura he exudes are hallmarks of a truly capable actor, and Vicky checks all the boxes. Mohd Zeeshan Ayub, essaying the role of General Yahya Khan, and Govind Namdeo, portraying Sardar Patel, are other noteworthy characters in the film who effectively make their presence felt.
'Sam Bahadur' endeavours to encapsulate the chequered career of a decorated Army officer who epitomized bravery and nationalism, leaving an indelible mark in the annals of the Indian Army as a larger-than-life persona. However, the film only partially succeeds in capturing those moments, lacking a cohesive portrayal of the protagonist's illustrious journey. Vicky Kaushal emerges as a saving grace for the film, delivering a performance that goes a long way in redeeming its shortcomings. Vicky Kaushal has delivered a commendable effort, but 'Sam Bahadur' falls short of being a cinematic experience to be savoured in its entirety, offering enjoyment only in fragmented segments.
Also See: Sam Bahadur Movie Review: Did this Vicky Kaushal led biopic create an impact?
