One-Line Review: Vicky Kaushal makes Sam Bahadur a must-watch because of his stellar performance.
Sam Bahadur YouTube Trailer
Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Sanya Malhotra, Fatima Sana Shaikh, etc.
Release Date: December 1, 2023
Director: Meghna Gulzar
Introduction
Sam Bahadur walks us through the impressive life journey of India’s first Field Marshal, Sam Manekshaw.
Sam Bahadur operates at an oddly cold and stunningly detached level reminiscent of Meghna Gulzar’s last directorial, Chhapaak. This Vicky Kaushal starrer is a long, fragmented history lesson.”
~ Indian Express
Our rating for Sam Bahadur is 07/10.
Summary
The movie steers through the eventful life of Sam Manekshaw, an army general who became the first field marshal of India. From world war 2 following the events of partition, formation of Pakistan and Bangladesh, Sam was always there as promising leader to India.
Being a soldier, he is dedicated to his country and chooses to stay with India when given a chance to stay either with Pakistan or India after partition. Sam keeps plotting his strategies to secure the nation with clever moves and fighting off the enemies. By the time of his retirement, Sam had done so much for the country that his actions directly contributed to the shaping of India we see today.
Review
There is no Sam Bahadur without Vicky Kaushal. What an actor he is! Sam Bhadur is a reminder that Vicky must do more such movies where we can just sit and enjoy the actor bring characters to life. He maintained a peculiar body language, mannerisms, and dialogue delivery style to depict Sam Manekshaw, which was a delight in the movie. A performance that could bring some notable awards!
Unfortunately, Vicky is the only saving factor for Sam Bahadur. Still, we can’t say Sam Bahadur is a bad movie. It is just that Sam Bahadur isn’t good enough. Meghna Gulzar has tried to bring in as many key aspects of Sam’s life on screen through her movie, but unfortunately, things look so scattered that you don’t feel like watching a movie. It is more like sitting in a history class where Vicky Kaushal teaches us who Sam is through his tremendous acting.
During the narration, at many points throughout the movie, you feel bored, disconnected and even clueless. It is only when Sam comes on screen and explicitly conveys, ‘This is what is happening’, that you understand what is actually happening. With a bit of drama added to the narration and clarity of historical events, the movie could have been so much better.
It is only when Fatima Sana Shaikh comes onscreen as Indira Gandhi that the movie gets some pace. She was really good as Indira, and her scenes with Vicky did give some momentum to the plot. If only the movie was strong in depicting multiple historical events in India with the required emotions, Sam Bahadur would have been a really good movie where Vicky already had engulfed his part as an actor.
Conclusion
Watch Sam Bahadur for Vicky Kaushal.
