Movie Review : Shaurya

Shaurya (drama)
Cast: Rahul Bose, Kay Kay Menon, Javed Jaffrey, Minissha Lamba
Direction: Samar Khan

THIS film tries to redefine the way Bollywood looks at the men in olive, and almost succeeds. The Bravehearts of the Indian Army do lay their life defending the honour and dignity of the country, but they don't go about chestbeating and yelling expletives to the enemy across the LoC. Refreshingly, Shaurya is a surprise package that for once does not equate pride and honour for the country with killing those across borders. Instead, it takes an introspective look at the sentinels of our country and gets reflective about the questionables within: prejudice, bias, antagonism that prevent fair play from a Few Good Men that make up the country's premier institution.

Here, you meet Rahul Bose, who thinks nothing suits his personality more than ‘googling’. It's only when the cool dude discovers the hero in the valley that he becomes a causaratti for democracy and a shaurya that doesn't tar a single community. He pitches a fine performance. Close to him is Minissha Lamba, the small town reporter who sips beer to scandalise those who question what she calls ‘small town morality’. A short role she executes with ease and confidence. Not to miss out is Javed Jaffery, who plays the perfect friend, though the character seems to be lost as the movie progresses. And just in case you wondered who's shaurya are we all taking of, it's none other than Kay Kay Menon, the sarkar of the valley with so very misconstrued views. Kay Kay is absolutely dynamic and it's his explosive act in the climax that helps him walk away with applause for sheer shock value.

Inspired by a Few Good Men , the Hollywood drama on the defence forces which revealed the ugly underbelly of one of the most respected officers (Jack Nicholson), Shaurya is essentially a courtmartial drama where two friends (Rahul Bose and Jaaved Jaafrey) play defence attorney and prosecutor to a cadet guilty of murder. And if the background is Kashmir, be sure there is a dissection of the world's number one problem: Islam versus terrorism. But the director handles the incendiary topic with balance and sensitivity. Go for some serious, cerebral viewing.