Sam Bahadur Movie Review: A Cinematic Journey through History
This movie dives deep into India’s political past, using real news clips to tell the story of Manekshaw’s life. He may not have been the main player, but he was there during crucial moments, both as a soldier and a gentleman.
Sam Bahadur Movie Review 2023
Sam Manekshaw had a long and successful life, not just in his heroic acts but beyond that. My issue with many memoirs is that they often start from the very beginning, taking too much time before getting to the interesting parts.
“Sam Bahadur” takes a different approach, following Manekshaw’s service years chronologically from 1933 to 1966. It feels like the film was shot in the same order, mirroring the lead character’s perspective. At first, Vicky Kaushal might seem like an odd choice, but as the story unfolds, he truly becomes Manekshaw.
Everyone go and watch Sam bahadur give this one a chance vicky kaushal will not disappoint I promise 🤍pic.twitter.com/KZebGhhX8j
— Sunshine (@timepasshai) December 1, 2023
Sam Bahadur Movie Review 2023
Kaushal deserves praise for his performance, and so does the director, Meghna Gulzar, who took a bold step in casting. Unlike her previous film, “Chhapaak,” which dealt with a heavy theme, “Sam Bahadur” doesn’t require that push—it’s already a tale of a man who had the audacity to call the Prime Minister “Sweety.”
Manekshaw, the general who led India to victory in the 1971 Bangladesh War, was not your typical war hero. He became India’s first Field Marshal, and his achievements, including the Padma Bhushan, speak for themselves. However, the film reminds us that generals usually don’t fight on the front lines.
The movie gives considerable time to the events leading up to the war, especially the storming of Dhaka University by the Pakistani Army. It contrasts with recent films that focused on the Bangladeshi side or the ground attacks. Manekshaw’s life was more than just war—he had interesting conflicts, like his complex friendship with Yahya Khan, the Pakistani military dictator.
SAM BAHADUR
— KJS DHILLON🇮🇳 (@TinyDhillon) December 2, 2023
Just came out after watching Sam Bahadur..
An excellent military movie with good research
My rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️@vickykaushal09 👏👏
Jai Hind 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/M1304F4mhd
Sam Bahadur Movie Review 2023
Throughout the film, you sense Manekshaw’s disdain for politicians and bureaucrats in military matters. He didn’t shy away from trouble and seemingly had Prime Minister Gandhi’s understanding, as long as he posed no political threat.
Fatima Sana Shaikh, portraying Indira Gandhi, does a commendable job. The film goes beyond the battlefield, showing Manekshaw’s charm at parties, his boldness with the press, and his ability to inspire his forces.
While the movie doesn’t deeply explore the vulnerabilities of a man at war, it successfully navigates through changing times. It highlights that certain issues, like Indo-Chinese border conflicts and the India-Pakistan rivalry, persist despite the years.
“Sam Bahadur” serves as a reminder of a broader history, and though it may not be a repeat-watch for me, I wholeheartedly recommend it.