Sam Bahadur Review: Vicky Kaushal presents a compelling, heartwarming portrait of Sam Manekshaw

Director Meghna Gulzar, who has presented compelling human accounts in her directorial Talvar (2015) and Raazi (2018), is back at the director's chair with a fresh narrative of one of India's most decorated army men- Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw. More than a war film, Sam Bahadur is a meticulously crafted portrait of Manekshaw in all his glory, both on and off the war lines. Vicky steps up his game in another biopic after effortlessly getting into the skin of freedom fighter Udham Singh in Sardar Udham (2021) and like his previous effort, he doesn't miss a beat here.

Hot Take

Sam Bahadur follows the titular character through his four-decade-long journey in the military, pre and post-India's independence and how he becomes a force to be reckoned with in India's evolving political landscape. Manekshaw saw through the country during its transition from British monarchy to its independent rule, and from the Sino-India war of 1962 to the formation of Bangladesh in 1971.

Manekshaw was an unabashed army man and was not one to indulge himself in politics. The film does justice to the personal and professional aspects of his life as it blends his charismatic humour and diligence towards his nation in equal measures. What the audience gets to see is the man in uniform- unapologetic and brave.    

Does Sam Bahadur live up to the hype?

Sam Bahadur unfolds various aspects of Sam Manekshaw's life with the undercurrent of patriotism running throughout the narrative. However, often it turns more informative than emotional. Vicky's portrayal of the man, the legend is praiseworthy. Beyond that, the chapters of history that unfold is the stuff for the books. Spruced up with some well shot war sequences, director Meghna Gulzar tries to offer other, lesser-known aspects of Manekshaw's life.

Cinematographer Jay Mehta breathes life into the narrative with the controlled use of camera movements. He channels the director's vision well and Meghna's trademark simplicity in storytelling and her penchant for to deep dive into her character is brought out well -- credit to the lens of Jay. Additionally, Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy's music also blends with the storyline and navigates the various emotions Manekshaw and the film goes through.

Additionally, the detailed production design, which uses real locations more than sets deserve a special mention. Be it the mountains and jungles where the battle unfolds or the interiors of war rooms and the political offices, the sets draw us into the era.      

Vicky's performance shines in this detailed biopic

Vicky Kaushal's grip on the character is evident from the film's opening shot. Right from Manekshaw's signature walk to his deeply emotive eyes, the actor seems to be living the character. It is a gem of a performance from an actor who has seemingly mastered the art of portraying real-life characters. This year has seen Vicky come into his own with two back-to-back comic roles -- Zara Hatke Zara Bachke and The Great Indian Family. He brings charm and humour to Manekshaw's role as well and gives the film an edge that one would rather expect to be serious in tone and treatment.

Sanya Malhotra's role as Manekshaw's wife is choppy but her character grounds the narrative in realism. Fatima Sana Shaikh as former PM Indira Gandhi has a limited role but essays the part well. Vicky shoulders the film and takes it across the finishing line. His collaboration with Meghna Gulzar offered promise in Raazi and they indeed bring out the best in each other- Sam Bahadur is proof of it.

Meghna invests in delivering a biopic that looks beyond the battlefield and does it with sincerity. She has a grip on the narrative and despite its slow unfolding, manages to grab the attention of the viewers through the film's 2.30 hours runtime.      

Watch it or skip it?

Sam Bahadur will find its audience despite releasing with massy action film Animal. While most of the army men in films have been shown to deal with the political repercussions of their actions and are sometimes subdued by the pressure, Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw fought for his batallions. Vicky's portrayal and Meghna's guided vision make it a film worth watching and a character study worth witnessing on the big screen.

Bottomline

Sam Bahadur is one of the finest biopics in recent times that does full justice to the status of its subject. This is one of Vicky's finest performances, so much so that it is quite difficult to separate the Manekshaw from the actor who essays him.

Rating: 3.5/5 stars