LALIT MOHAN Joshi

SAMबहादुर (2023) – A New Benchmark By Lalit Mohan Joshi Meghna Gulzar’s ‘Sam Bahadur’ sets a new benchmark. If you compare it with recent Indian biopics, it stands out. The portrayal of the Indian Army icon Sam Manekshaw is well-researched and palpably delivered by Vicky Kaushal’s spirited stylised performance. As a filmmaker it’s a great leap for Meghna Gulzar from her earlier films like Talwar (2015), Raazi (2018) as well as Chhapaak (2020). ‘Sam Bahadur’ profiles Field Marshal Sam Hormusji Framji Jamshedji Manekshaw (3 April 1914 – 27 June 2008), also known as Sam Bahadur, who was Chief of the Army Staff of the Indian Army during the Indo-Pakistan War of 1971. His active military career spanned four decades and five wars, beginning with service in World War II. He was the first Indian Army officer to be promoted to the rank of Field Marshal. To make a film on such an iconic figure was an act of courage. Vicky Kaushal has delivered it admirably. As Sam Bahadur, he is charismatic, charming and believable. His adopting a distinct gait and his physical posturing, completely transform and imbue him with the spirit of Sam Bahadur. It is another matter that his dialogue delivery has a whiff of Indian matinee idol Dev Anand. This comes across most sharply when he utters the following: “Jo kehtey hain unhe dar nahin, wo ya to jhoothey hain yaa phir Gorkha.” (Translation: Those who say they are never frightened are either liars or Gorkhas!) The early romantic phase of Sam Manekshaw’s life that covers the period of British rule is brief and gives the film a period character. Sanya Malhotra as Siloo Manekshaw gels well and adds a new dimension. What is significant is that ‘Sam Bahadur’ as a film encapsulates the historical challenges that India faced in Kashmir as well as in dealing with all its border disputes with Pakistan and China (although Sam was kept away from the latter war due to a conspiracy against him). The film seamlessly blends rare documentary footage with the narrative. It also depicts Sam’s interactions on crucial matters of defence and war with Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Patel, Krishna Menon and Indira Gandhi. A selection of historic predicaments and political and strategic conflicts have been made part of the narrative with finesse and impartiality. I admit that to find someone to play the inimitable Indira Gandhi was indeed a tall order. Nevertheless, I cannot stop myself from expressing at least my mini regret that I wish Meghna had managed to find someone who could have come closer to depicting the power, magnetic charm and charisma of Smt Indira Gandhi (played by Fatima Sana Shaikh). Having said this, I’m rushing to add that I found other historical characters, especially Krishna Menon and Patel, to be quite close to the real. Overall, the film has been perfectly paced and crisply edited. It is interspersed occasionally with humorous dialogues that give comic relief in an unobtrusive manner. While Gulzar Sahab’s ‘Itni si baat’ is romantic and creates a period effect, his other lyrics such as ‘Rab ka banda hai ye’ have been used discretely and are apt, moving and full of patriotic fervour. The screenplay is remarkable for it does not resort to political correctness even though it highlights differences between Sam Manekshaw and Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Krishna Menon and Indira Gandhi over war strategy.