Reviewed by Rama Gaind.
Director: Vishnu Varadhan, RealTV.
“Freedom is never dear at any price. It is the breath of life. What would a man not pay for living?” – Mahatma Gandhi
Patriotic fervour shines in this Hindi film about Captain Vikram Batra, who led a brilliant operation in one of India’s toughest campaigns in mountain warfare.
Shershaah is based on the life of Captain Batra (9 September 1974–7 July 1999), an officer of the Indian Army, who died in the Kargil War in 1999. He was honoured (posthumously) with the Param Vir Chakra, India’s highest and most prestigious award for valour.
He led one of the most difficult military operations in Indian history, fought at a dizzying altitude of 17,000 feet. Disguised as Kashmiri militants, Pakistani troops had infiltrated the Indian side of the Line of Control. The skirmishes quickly escalated into a full-blown war that also chalked the journey of a soldier whose nationalistic spirit and absolute daredevilry led the Tricolour (Indian flag) being unfurled at the highest point of conflict.
He said: “Either I will come back after hoisting the Tricolour or I will come back wrapped in it, but I will be back for sure.” Vikram Batra is also well known for using the slogan, Yeh Dil Maange More! (my heart asks for more!) as a signal to communicate the success of his missions.
Captain Batra is played well by Sidharth Malhotra as he’s seen growing up, finding the love of his life in Dimple Cheema (Kiara Advani) before finally being posted at the 13 JAK Rifles as a Lieutenant.
Director Vishnu Varadhan and writer Sandeep Srivastava have undertaken a massive task of doing justice and carefully capturing the abundant data and milestones from the Kargil War. Captain Batra’s unconquerable spirit and unequalled courage contributed immensely to India’s victory.
