Sam Bahadur REVIEW: Vicky Kaushal is the indisputable star in this captivating story by Meghna Gulzar

Film:
Sam Bahadur REVIEW

Director: Meghna Gulzar

Star cast: Vicky Kaushal, Sanya Malhotra, Fatima Sana Shaikh, Mohd. Zeeshan Ayyub, Neeraj Kabi

Platform: Theatre

Runtime: 150 minutes (2 hours 30 mins)

Sam Bahadur movie review

Story

Sam Bahadur is about the life of Sam Manekshaw who was the Chief of the Army Staff during the Indo-Pakistan war of 1971. From his young notorious days, love life to his journey to become a field marshal, Sam Bahadur highlights all the key points of his life. Over the years, he worked closely with the Prime Ministers Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi during the 1971 war. After the war comes to an end, he is then promoted to become the Field Marshal, the first Indian officer to obtain that honour.

What’s good about Sam Bahadur

Vicky Kaushal supremacy: It was just Vicky, Vicky and Vicky Kaushal! He is the best thing that can happen to the movie. Vicky has done a fantastic job and he demands attention in every scene. Vicky carries the film like a true hero and you just can’t stop going gaga over his performance.

Storyline: Meghna Gulzar picked an untold story of an Indian Army Officer who becomes the first Field Marshal. Since it is not a known story, Meghna poetically tells her story. The first half of the movie is slow as it builds up the plot; however, the second half picks the pace. It is more engaging and intriguing as we get to know more about Sam Manekshaw and his strategies.

What didn’t work with Sam Bahadur

Screenplay: Given that the story is quite intriguing as we are being shown the untold story of the first field Marshal, the screenplay seems a little incomplete. A lot has been shown about Sam in the movie and yet it feels something is incomplete. It is not a full war movie but it is about a person who is a strategist. He fights the battle cleverly but not in the battleground. It seems like Sam Bahadur is for niche audience.

Star performances

Vicky Kaushal plays the titular role in Sam Bahadur and this man has made me speechless. What a performer! He is truly a rockstar and the finest actor in Bollywood. Vicky understands his character way too much and ensures to get into the character’s skin. From his accent to his body language, Vicky never got out of his character. Throughout the movie I didn’t see Vicky playing the role, I saw Sam Manekshaw onscreen. It looks like Vicky will bag the next Best Actor National Award for all the right reasons. Hands down, Vicky Kaushal is just fabulous in Sam Bahadur and I loved him before but this time, I became a fan of his craft.

Sanya Malhotra plays the role of Silloo Manekshaw, Sam’s wife. She looks cute and does a great job in playing her character. Though she is seen for a limited screen time, Sanya still shines in her space. On the other hand, Fatima Sana Shaikh essays the role of former Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi in the movie. She is a good actor; however, I couldn’t buy her as the PM. Must say, she tries really hard to act and to talk like the PM but sadly, it doesn’t come across that convincingly. Applause to her for the efforts but sadly, she didn’t look so convincing as Indira Gandhi.

Mohd. Zeeshan Ayyub plays the role of Yahya Khan, a Pakistani military officer in the movie. Zeeshan is not seen in some scenes and he does a great job with his character. Even with the prosthetics, Zeeshan tries to do justice to his role and must say, he did well.

Conclusion

Concluding Sam Bahadur review, Vicky Kaushal is the ultimate star who will astonish you with his impeccable performance. If not anything, one should definitely watch the movie for Vicky. It is a typical Meghna Gulzar movie with the right amount of intensity and a riveting story. Sam Bahadur is a must-watch movie if historical or war movies entice you.

Watch the Sam Bahadur trailer after the review

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