The film follows Manekshaw from his childhood to adulthood, revealing his tenacity and ambition. It then goes immediately into the era that transformed him from sam Manekshaw to sam Bahadur. What's the deal with Bahadur? In one moment, sam inquires of a soldier about his name. The man in front of him trembles in fear of mispronouncing his surname and responds, 'Sam Bahadur sir!' Manekshaw cracks a grin. A well-written moment with a purpose, but regrettably, a rare discovery in a film that fails to connect the connections and go deep into the mind of the man on the poster.
Meghna gulzar has the right system and an army of workers to put her film together, but she lacks the skill to extract the right emotion and connect with our main character. We've seen battle scenes before, so they're OK. The glimpse into a war room and a sideways hint at sam and Indira Gandhi's flirtatious courtship are equally intriguing. However, you remain on the surdata-face, unable to delve into the flesh and bones that would make sam Bahadur a delectable dinner.
The film's major flaw is how disconnected it feels. The abrupt transitions from one scene to the next are unsettling. Allow the viewer to remain in a scene and absorb the emotion! Instead, the director appears to be racing to catch up to the grey streaks in Sam's hairline, a reminder of how quickly the drama is progressing in time. The conversation is dense, and certain sections appear to have been left on the cutting room floor.
Vicky Kaushal's portrayal is heartfelt yet shaky. Most of the time throughout the film, he feels weighed down by his attempt to imitate sam Bahadur. Everything about his gait, mannerisms, and the way he would pucker his lips or walk with a hunch feels a little fishy. However, there are times when he shines through the murky clouds of nonsensical writing. The issue does not rest with the performer, but with the editors and writers who crafted fine parts but were unable to connect them.
Sam Bahadur is a terrific film on paper. The background soundtrack heightens the tension in the major scenes. Production and set design, costumes, and make-up all receive high marks. One wishes the writing and directing were on the same page as the technological equivalent.
Sam Bahadur is a valiant attempt, but it wanders aimlessly in most portions, attempting to offer us insight into the life of one of the most renowned and celebrated army leaders. If the courageous Manekshaw had seen the movie, he may have said, "It's okay, honey! "More luck next time."