Meghna Gulzar’s movie about Indian army officer Sam ‘The Brave’ Manekshaw shows his heroic side straightforwardly and charmingly, but the story unfolds in episodes.
Sam Manekshaw, also known as Sam Bahadur, witnessed remarkable changes in India’s history. Born during British rule in India, he served in the army and fought for British-Indian interests against Japan during World War II. Following the partition in 1947, he found himself in a new unit as his previous regiment became part of Pakistan’s armed forces.
His journey continued as he played a crucial role in the Indo-Pakistani war, leading to the creation of Bangladesh. In 1973, upon his retirement, he achieved the historic feat of becoming the first Indian army officer upgraded to the rank of field marshal.
A Heroic Portrayal
The biopic of Sam Manekshaw, directed by Meghna Gulzar, explores this rich historical backdrop. Rather than delving into a complex analysis of values and political shifts, the film takes a straightforward approach. Throughout the narrative, Manekshaw is portrayed as a hero – a man of unwavering correctness, nobility, wit, and forgiveness.
The film resonates with the current surge of nationalist sentiment in India, aligning with the perspective provided by Manekshaw’s family. Vicky Kaushal, in the lead role, impeccably captures the charm and heroism of the character.
Anecdotes from a Remarkable Life
The film’s highlight lies in its portrayal of fun anecdotes from Manekshaw’s life. One such instance is when he miraculously survives a round of machine-gun fire to the chest. With a sense of humor intact, he attributes the incident to being kicked by a mule.
This resilience and wit endeared him to those around him, including a doctor who determined that a man with such a sense of humor must be saved at all costs.
Episodic Structure Challenges the Narrative
While the film excels in presenting individual incidents and set pieces, it grapples with the overall structure of the drama. The episodic nature of the storytelling, a common challenge in biopics, struggles to give the narrative the momentum typically found in fiction.
As a result, the film risks feeling like a chronological sequence of events, adhering to the notion that history is merely one event after another.
In conclusion, “Sam Bahadur” successfully brings to life the heroic journey of Sam Manekshaw against the backdrop of India’s transformative history. However, the film’s episodic structure poses a challenge in providing a cohesive and engaging narrative flow.
