Once in a lifetime, such heroes are born, we see a lot of ‘Reel Alpha’ but here you meet the ‘Real Alpha’, the will and conviction that one sees in Field Marshal Sam Hormusji Framji Jamshedji Manekshaw aka Sam Bahadur is exceptional. Manekshaw, was shot nine times by a Japanese soldier in WWII, during the Burma battle and maintained a surprising wit and humor during his treatment is evidence of the funny and humorous attitude this military mind had.
A doctor refused to initially treat him since he saw little chance of his survival. However, when the surgeon asked what had happened to him, Manekshaw replied: “A bloody mule kicked me.” The surgeon laughed and said: “You have a sense of humor. I think you are worth saving.” He removed much of Manekshaw’s intestines and stitched him up.
The Talvar (2015) and Raazi (2019), director Meghna Gulzar has given us another spectacle, though the movie cannot be called as her best work, it appears slow-paced, with the episodic and dull narration of Sam Manekshaw’s life wrapped into 2hrs 30 minutes but the film is informative and brilliantly captures the political essence of India from the 1930s to 1970s era along with the war sequences.
If one is looking forward to some chilling climax, considering that it is a biopic of one of the finest military strategists, then there is disappointment, as the film narrates the facts as they are in a commendatory manner. Though some scenes like the Burma battle, and the speech in Punjabi by Zeeshan Ayyub playing the role of Yahya Khan are guaranteed to give you goosebumps, the film has its funny moments also with light humor intact.
Vicky Kaushal shines as a lone warrior, giving a stellar performance by far I’ll rate this as his best, where he perfectly emulates Sam Bahadur to show the inspiring and motivational journey of the first Field Marshal that India had. The evolution of Vicky Kaushal from delivering characters like Major Vihan (Uri) to Field Marshal Manekshaw is impeccable. To say it simply, it is Vicky Kaushal’s show.
Sana Sheikh as gutsy Prime Minister Indira Gandhi has played her role well, her camaraderie with Vicky as adamant Sam Manekshaw is a treat to watch, also displaying the undertones and effects when two headstrong people come face to face and how they cooperate and trust each other in navigating India’s history with the birth of Bangladesh. Sam Manekshaw had the habit of addressing people as ‘sweetie’ and when once he does the same with his boss in the film, i.e. Mrs.Gandhi, it is amusing to watch the scene.
The film coincidentally comes at a time when just last week the controversial US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger passed away. The scene where Mrs Gandhi puts Kissinger in his place (using chief of army staff Manekshaw as her trump card) when he threatens India with dire consequences if she attacks Pakistan on the eastern front almost steals the thunder of Vicky Kaushal as Sam Manekshaw.
The film brilliantly captures the insecurity of Indira Gandhi amidst the backdrop of a coup in neighboring Pakistan and a resolute Sam Manekshaw commanding the forces in India, when she apprehends Sam Manekshaw of his intentions of doing the same, the dialogue delivery is perfect and the conversation goes as:
The film portrays the innate qualities of a leader that Manekshaw imbibed, when one sees Manekshaw treating his mates with respect and honor, he had a knack for maintaining a fine balance between hierarchy and comradeship among his fellow men, and as a true leader he understands the minds of his fellow brothers and doesn’t let them fall into the abyss in time of doom, it is a story of true valor, courage and leadership of India’s most beloved soldier.
Manekshaw was also not a man who hungered for praise, which is evidence of the quality of a true leader, as when asked to go to Dhaka and accept the surrender of Pakistani forces (India captured 90,000 Pakistani Soldiers as prisoners of Wars), Manekshaw declined, magnanimously saying that the honor should go to his army commander in the East, Lieutenant General Jagjit Singh Aurora.
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Zeeshan Ayyub acting as Pakistani military officer and third President of the country Yahya Khan and Sanya Malhotra innocently playing Manekshaw’s wife Siloo Bode is praiseworthy.
The upbeat song “Badhte Chalo” featuring the war cries of various regiments of the Indian Army, is significant in showcasing the unique feature of our motherland India i.e. “Unity in Diversity” and is successful in giving a patriotic and nationalistic vibe.
Sam Manekshaw had a towering personality and demeanor, and only once in a while history is witness to such leaders, who had the boldness and honesty to tell the truth on face to PM Indira Gandhi, about the ground situation and time needed for the troops to wage war against Pakistan resulting in the birth of Bangladesh.
The film is a decent and informative must-watch, reminiscent of the historical tales that have shaped India.
Maya said, “They have made the film to make the country proud of whatever it was. But, the time that I tear up, every time, I’ve seen the film twice now and I teared up both times, is the last two seconds of the film when you turn to the audience and you’re smiling. That just kills me every time.”
SAM MANEKSHAW’S DAUGHTER MAYA
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