Following the release of The Vaccine War trailer last week, filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri on Tuesday shared on X a video of educator, author and philanthropist Sudha Murty at a screening of the film.
Starring Nana Patekar and Pallavi Joshi, The Vaccine War follows a team of Indian scientists developing an indigenous and affordable Covid-19 vaccine. The film will hit theatres on Sept 28.
In the clip on X, the mother-in-law of British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: “It is really touching. I do understand the role of a woman, who is also a mother, wife and career person. Speaking from experience, it is all very hard to balance but some people are fortunate. In my case, I lived above my parents, so I got help. All these women in The Vaccine War did not have that.
“It is not easy for a woman to do well in her career with her children. She needs good family support. I always say that behind every successful woman, there is an understanding man.
“In this film, the children are small but they will be proud of their mother and what she has done. They will not understand Covaxin but this film really shows the effort and the selfless work the scientists do, so that we all can live in a democratic India, happily and healthily. That is a very important message.”
Mrs Murty said Agnihotri has shown that “real wealth lies in confidence” and all Indians should “unleash their potential”.
“Be proud that you are Indian. Be proud that you are Bhartiya,” she added.
“For thousands of years, we have been slaves. We lost our identity, courage and capacity. We have tremendous potential but it is not unleashed because we are always worried we cannot do it.”
She said: “Many people say, ‘We can’t do it,’ but we can. Not only in the medical field but in any field.
“You should believe in yourself – beauty is not in the dress, money or make-up. Your beauty is in your courage and confidence.
“If you have self-belief, that is the real beauty, the real money. You (Agnihotri) have shown here that the real wealth is in your confidence.”
Agnihotri is known for directing The Tashkent Files (2019) and The Kashmir Files (2022). Both films were commercial successes despite being criticised for pushing contentious narratives.
At the 69th National Film Awards announced last month, The Kashmir Files was conferredwon the Nargis Dutt Award for Best Feature Film on National Integration.
The Vaccine War is based on the true story ofabout the development of Covaxin (BBV152), a coronavirus vaccine developed by Bharat Biotech in partnership with the National Institute of Virology and Indian Council of Medical Research.
Patekar plays the scientist leading this race against time, with Joshi playing the role of his second-in-command.
The Vaccine War also stars Raima Sen as a journalist trying to discredit India’s efforts and promote foreign vaccines, and Anupam Kher as Prime Minister.
Indo-Asian News Service
