Sam Bahadur – the movie – tracks the career of a highly decorated army officer who served India during critical times.
The officer is none other than Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw. He acquired the name Sam Bahadur or “Sam the Brave” from a soldier who was unable to pronounce the officer’s last name and came up with an alternative.
Born in British India, Sam joined the army and fought against Japan in World War II. He was severely wounded and received the Military Cross for his bravery.
While charting his illustrious career, the film offers several revelations. Perhaps the most noteworthy was the budding friendship between Sam and Major Yahya Khan.
Upon India’s partition in 1947, Yahya went over to Pakistan’s new army, but Sam refused to budge.
Yahya later became Pakistan’s president and Sam’s foe in the 1971 Indo-Pakistan War. Sam was then the Indian army’s chief of staff.
Sam’s achievements earned him the rank of field marshal – the first for an Indian officer – in 1973, just as he was about to retire.
He was, at heart, a soldiers’ officer, ever concerned about his subordinates’ welfare.
In the movie, he comes upon a junior officer ordering a soldier to do 1,000 salutes as the latter had failed to salute the officer.
While agreeing that such discipline is necessary, Sam says it is army custom that every salute has to be returned with a salute. This is perhaps to teach the officer that actions have repercussions. Sam then walks away with a slight smile, leaving the soldier and officer saluting each other.
The film also features decades-old documentary footage, some of which depict Sam’s interactions with various Indian leaders, including Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Patel and Krishna Menon.
While effectively portraying the chemistry between Sam and former Indian prime minister Indira Gandhi and their ability to respect each other’s opinions, Sam’s disdain for self-serving politicians is obvious.
As Sam’s wife, Sanya Malhotra does well to convey her simmering jealousy over her husband’s interactions with Ms Gandhi.
From start to finish, Vicky Kaushal plays Sam to perfection. The actor’s height, swagger and stern gaze are useful in highlighting the essence of Sam as a charismatic, non-conformist hero.
Dr Preeti Wasnik caught the show on Tuesday evening at the Golden Village cinema at City Square Mall.
She is a big fan of Kaushal and the movie’s director Meghna Gulzar.
She said: “I had also heard of Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, and it is this convergence of factors that made me come to see this movie.”
