Sam Bahadur Movie Review: Meghna Gulzar directorial is a biographical war drama delving into the life of Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, a prominent figure who spearheaded the Indian Army to victory during the 1971 Indo-Pakistan War. The film boasts a stellar cast, featuring Vicky Kaushal portraying the titular role of Sam Manekshaw, supported by a talented ensemble including Fatima Sana Shaikh, Sanya Malhotra, Neeraj Kabi, and others.

The narrative revolves around the remarkable journey of Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, highlighting his pivotal role in leading the Indian Army to success during a crucial moment in history. As the film unravels, it meticulously showcases Manekshaw's leadership, strategic prowess, and his instrumental contributions in securing triumph in the face of adversity. He, in his essence, represented an idea—an indomitable spirit that defined an era. His belief, articulated in the film, expressed that war wasn't a reason for our soldiers to sacrifice their lives but rather a cause for the enemy soldiers to meet their end.

The film unfolds against the backdrop of 1971 Indo-Pakistan War, chronicling the remarkable leadership of Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, whose guidance led the Indian Army to spearhead Bangladesh's liberation. The narrative begins with Manekshaw's youth and unfolds through significant periods, including the Second World War, leading to the creation of Bangladesh, and ultimately his journey to becoming a Field Marshal. The first half of the film covers Manekshaw's early life, his role in the Second World War, and glimpses into his personal life. Meanwhile, the second half introduces Indira Gandhi, showcasing new developments and aspects of her life. The film spans a significant length of time, depicting the actors aging from their youth to their older years.

Vicky Kaushal as Sam Manekshaw

Vicky Kaushal's talent in authentically embodying characters adds a layer of credibility to his portrayal, ensuring a enrapture and intense on-screen presence. His depiction of Sam Manekshaw wins hearts with its authenticity and depth. The actor as Manekshaw is unparallel; he possesses a remarkable charm that allows you to just ogle at him. Capturing the multifaceted personality of such an iconic figure might indeed be a challenging task, given his complex nature, but Vicky does it extremely well.

Cameos like Mohammed Zeeshan as Yahya Khan and Govind Namdeo as Sardar Patel, offer an arresting performances. However, apart from these standout portrayals, some actors might not inherently embody the weight of the historic characters they represent in this film.

Sanya Malhotra is impressive as Silloo, the beloved wife of Sam Manekshaw. On the other hand, Fatima Sana Sheikh's depiction of Indira Gandhi fails to embody the aura and essence of the iconic figure, she can do better.

Direction

Meghna Gulzar, known for her finesse in storytelling, brings her expertise to infuse depth and authenticity into the narrative of 'Sam Bahadur,' however, film looks half-baked. The collaboration between Meghna Gulzar and Vicky Kaushal, who previously worked together in 'Raazi,' added excitement surrounding this film but it did not go as expected. While the first half is not that impressive and unnecessarily stretched, the second-half of the movie gives the viewers what they are actually looking for-- Intensity, war, bravery and HISTORY!

The narrative about the army and warfare is not significantly different from previous tales in this genre. The film attempts to get as close to the life of the army as possible but lacks depth. From rifle drills to the ambiance of war, everything feels very close to reality, yet something is missing, which makes it half-baked. The film's music and background score are intricately weaves into the narrative, resonating well with the story.

While some portrayals may fall short of encapsulating his entire persona, the film endeavours to immortalize the essence of Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, portraying a glimpse into the life of this extraordinary individual who left an indelible mark on Indian history.

Trailer of the film