Shershaah: Difference between revisions

{{short description|2021 Indian biographic war film}}

| producer      = Hiroo Yash Johar<br />[[Karan Johar]]<br />Apoorva Mehta<br />[[Shabbir Boxwala]]<br />Ajay Shah<br />Himanshu Gandhi

| writer        = [[Sandeep Shrivastava]]

| starring      = [[Sidharth Malhotra]]<br />[[Kiara Advani]]

| music          = '''Score:'''<br />John Stewart Eduri<br />'''Songs'''<br />[[Tanishk Bagchi]]<br />[[B Praak]]<br />[[Jasleen Royal]]<br />[[Javed-Mohsin]]<br />[[Vikram Montrose]]

| studio        = [[Dharma Productions]]<br />Kaash Entertainment

'''''Shershaah''''' ({{trans|Lion King}}) is a 2021 Indian [[Hindi]]-language [[Biographical film|biographical]] [[war film]] directed by [[Vishnuvardhan (director)|Vishnuvardhan]] in his [[Bollywood]] debut and written by [[Sandeep Shrivastava]]. The film follows the life of [[Param Vir Chakra]]-awardee Captain [[Vikram Batra]], from his first posting in the [[Indian Army|army]] to his death in the [[Kargil War]]. The film stars [[Sidharth Malhotra]] as Vikram Batra and [[Kiara Advani]] as his girlfriend Dimple Cheema. The film was produced by [[Dharma Productions]] and Kaash Entertainment, with Hiroo Yash Johar, [[Karan Johar]], Apoorva Mehta, [[Shabbir Boxwala]], Ajay Shah and Himanshu Gandhi serving as co-producers.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/bollywood/vikram-batra-biopic-tentatively-titled-shershah-go-floors-summer/|title=Vikram Batra biopic, tentatively titled Shershah, to go on floors this summer|work=[[Bollywood Hungama]]|date=25 January 2019|access-date=27 April 2019}}</ref>

Announced in May 2019, [[principal photography]] began in the same month and concluded in January 2020. Initially slated to be released on 3 July 2020, the film was postponed due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/features/shershaah-first-look-sidharth-malhotra-captain-vikram-batra-intriguing-posters-film-release-july-3-2020/|title= Shershaah First Look: Sidharth Malhotra is Captain Vikram Batra in intriguing posters, film to release on July 3, 2020|work=Bollywood Hungama|date=16 January 2020|access-date=3 July 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/shershaah-on-birthday-sidharth-malhotra-shares-first-look-posters-of-the-vikram-batra-biopic-2164768|title=Shershaah: On Birthday, Sidharth Malhotra Shares First Look Posters Of The Vikram Batra Biopic|publisher=NDTV|date=16 January 2020|access-date=16 January 2020}}</ref> The film then premiered on 12 August 2021 on [[Amazon Prime Video]].<ref name="release date">{{cite web |title=Sidharth Malhotra and Kiara Advani starrer Shershaah to release on August 12 on Amazon Prime Video|url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/bollywood/sidharth-malhotra-kiara-advani-starrer-shershaah-release-independence-day-amazon-prime-video/|work=Bollywood Hungama |date=15 July 2021|access-date=15 July 2021}}</ref> The film received mixed reviews from the critics, who praised Malhotra's performance and the action sequences but criticised the writing of the film.<ref name="Shershaah1"/><ref name="Shershaah2"/> On 31 August 2021, Amazon stated that ''Shershaah'' had become the most watched Indian film on the platform.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Jha|first=Lata|date=2021-08-31|title=‘Shershaah’ is most-watched film on Amazon Prime Video in India|url=https://www.livemint.com/industry/media/shershaah-is-most-watched-film-on-amazon-prime-video-in-india-11630394022936.html|url-status=live|website=mint}}</ref>

Vishal Batra delivers a talk on his brother Vikram Batra, narrating the story of his life.

A young Vikram Batra is playing cricket when he gets into a fight with elder teenage kids over a ball, revealing the fearless nature he later became known for. The TV series [[Param Vir Chakra (TV series)|Param Vir Chakra]] inspires him to join the [[Indian Army]]. A montage shows his patriotism and his desire to join the army as he grows up. At 23, he gets commissioned into the Delta Company, 13th battalion, [[Jammu and Kashmir Rifles]] (13 JAK RIF) and posted to [[Sopore]] as a lieutenant. He develops cordial relations with both his men and locals and takes part in [[counterinsurgency]] operations. On one such operation, he defies his CO Lt. Sanjeev "Jimmy" Jamwal but neutralises the perpetrators and saves Jimmy's life. Jimmy reprimands his approach but gets close to him later.

Back at the base, Batra receives a letter from his girlfriend, Dimple Cheema. The film flashes back to 1995 when Batra and Dimple start dating. They decide to get married, however, Dimple's father refuses to accept Batra as they belong to different castes. To please her dad, Batra decides to give up his Army dream and join the Merchant Navy for a higher salary. However, his friend Sunny convinces him to not give up his dream. Consequently, Batra and Dimple fight over their future.

Back in present, Delta Company catches an insurgent group's henchman. In retaliation, the leader Haider ambushes Delta Company by luring them with intel of a weapons cache. Batra's friend [[Naib Subedar]] Bansi Lal is among those killed. Traumatised and vengeful, he tracks down Haider and obtains authorisation from the unit’s CO, [[Lieutenant Colonel|Lt. Col.]] [[Yogesh Kumar Joshi]] for an operation. Delta Company led by Batra raids Haider's house, killing him. Subsequently, he prepares to go on leave as unbeknownst to him the Kargil War nears.

In May 1999 in Rawalpindi, [[Pakistan]], General [[Pervez Musharraf]] begins an offensive to capture [[Kashmir]] and sends troops to occupy mountain peaks in [[Kargil]], violating the [[Geneva Convention]] and the [[Shimla Agreement]]. As news about a potential war gains traction, Batra decides to cut short his vacation and return. He makes his famous promise to Sunny "''I'll either come back after raising the Indian flag in victory or return wrapped in it. But I'll come for sure.''"

The unit is moved to the Ghumri Army Base, as a reserve force, along with other regiments to [[Acclimatization|acclimatise]] and prepare. The base comes under artillery fire that results in multiple casualties, including Batra's senior, [[Major|Maj.]] [[Ajay Singh Jasrotia]]. Three weeks into the war, 13 JAK RIF is moved to active-duty to relieve 2nd Rajputana Rifles (2 RAJ RIF) and tasked with recapturing Point 5140 at 17,000 feet. Batra is assigned the codename "''Shershaah''" and victory signal "''[[Yeh Dil Maange More!|Yeh Dil Maange More]]''", for radio communication. Jimmy and Batra lead their companies and recapture Point 5140 without casualties, garnering praise in the army and public. Batra is promoted to [[Captain (military)|Captain]] and nominated for [[Maha Vir Chakra]].

Following their impressive victory, the Army Command tasks 13 JAK RIF with capturing Point 4875 which overlooks [[National Highway 1]] and would figuratively end the war. They begin the assault on Point 4875 the next day, but take heavy casualties due to rough terrain and multiple enemy bunkers. Eventually, they destroy the four bunkers they are aware of. Unaware of a fifth camouflaged bunker, they take heavy fire. Batra tasks [[Rifleman]] Yashpal to use a Pakistani [[Rocket Propelled Grenade|RPG-7]] at the bunker. A sniper however hits him before he can fire. Batra runs across open ground to rescue him and does so successfully but is hit multiple times by both sniper and AK-47 rounds. As he collapses, he watches [[Subedar]] Raghunath Singh take command and charge at the final bunker. He succumbs as the men raise the Indian flag in victory. He is posthumously awarded the [[Param Vir Chakra]] for his actions on Point 4875.

The ending shows his funeral in Palampur and a distraught Dimple.

{{Cast listing|

* [[Sidharth Malhotra]] as  

**Captain [[Vikram Batra]]

***Krishnay Tuteja as young Batra

**Vishal Batra, Vikram's twin brother

***Kavay Tuteja as young Vishal Batra

* [[Kiara Advani]] as Dimple Cheema, Batra's girlfriend and later fiancée

* [[Shiv Panditt]] as Lieutenant Sanjeev "Jimmy" Jamwal, Batra's CO and later friend

* [[Nikitin Dheer]] as Major [[Ajay Singh Jasrotia|Ajay "Jassi" Singh Jasrotia]]

* [[Anil Charanjeett]] as Naib Subedar Bansi Lal, Batra's close friend

* [[Shataf Figar]] as Lieutenant Colonel [[Yogesh Kumar Joshi]], CO of 13 JAK RIF

* Abhiroy Singh as Major Subrata "Subbu" Mukherjee

* [[Sahil Vaid]] as Amit "Sunny" Sood, Batra's best friend

* [[Raj Arjun]] as Subedar Raghunath Singh, a platoon commander in Delta Company

* Pranay Singh Pachauri as Rifleman Yashpal

* Atul Verma as Rifleman Meher Singh

* [[Pawan Chopra]] as G.L. Batra, Batra's father

* [[Mir Sarwar]] as Haider<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.jkmonitor.org/59243-kashmir%E2%80%99s-bollywood-actor-mir-sarwar-in-laxmi-bomb-with-akshay-kumar.html|title=Kashmir's Bollywood actor Mir Sarwar in Laxmi Bomb with Akshay Kumar and Dharma Productions Shershaah|website=www.jkmonitor.org|access-date=17 July 2020|date=17 July 2020}}</ref>

* Bijay Anand as Mr. Cheema, Dimple's Father

* [[Himmanshoo A. Malhotra]] as Major Rajeev Kapoor

* Rakesh Dubey as Major Vijay Bhaskar

* Ankur Sharma as Major Vikas Vohra

* Jaykartik as Lieutenant Naveen Nagappa

[[Karan Johar]] confirmed in 2018 that he would be producing a biopic on the life of Captain [[Vikram Batra]]. The Batra family wanted Sidharth Malhotra to play Batra. He was eventually selected to portray the double role of Batra and his identical twin brother Vishal. Several actresses were in discussions to play Batra's fiancée, Dimple Cheema before [[Kiara Advani]] was cast. Malhotra started military training for the film in April 2019.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/sidharth-malhotra-begins-training-for-vikram-batra-biopic/articleshow/68942400.cms|title=Sidharth Malhotra begins training for Vikram Batra biopic|work=[[The Times of India]]|date=18 April 2019|access-date=27 April 2019}}</ref> Before the official announcement of the film, it was speculated that the title will be "Mera Dil Maange More" but later was changed to "Shershaah".{{citation needed|date=August 2021}}

The film was officially announced on 2 May 2019, with the title confirmed and shooting locations to be [[Chandigarh]], [[Palampur]], [[Kargil]], [[Ladakh]] and [[Kashmir Valley]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/bollywood/story/shershaah-karan-johar-announces-vikram-batra-biopic-with-sidharth-malhotra-and-kiara-advani-1515406-2019-05-02|title=Shershaah: Karan Johar announces Vikram Batra biopic with Sidharth Malhotra and Kiara Advani|work=[[India Today]]|date=2 May 2019|access-date=3 May 2019}}</ref> [[Principal photography]] commenced on 7 May and the film wrapped on 12 January 2020.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.news18.com/amp/news/movies/kiara-advani-sidharth-malhotra-wrap-up-shershaah-shoot-see-pics-2455675.html|title=Kiara Advani, Sidharth Malhotra Wrap up Shershaah Shoot|work=News18|date=13 January 2020|access-date=18 January 2020}}</ref> Patchwork shots were completed by 23 October 2020.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/bollywood/sidharth-malhotra-wraps-shershaah-biopic-captain-vikram-batra/|title=Sidharth Malhotra wraps up Shershaah, the biopic on Captain Vikram Batra|work=Bollywood Hungama|date=23 October 2020|access-date=2 July 2021}}</ref>

{{Infobox album

| name        = Shershaah

| artist      = [[Tanishk Bagchi]], [[B Praak]], [[Jasleen Royal]], [[Javed-Mohsin]] and [[Vikram Montrose]]

| cover        =

| released    = 16 August 2021<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.jiosaavn.com/album/shershaah-original-motion-picture-soundtrack/R6ANCBJdPQM_|title=Shershaah – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack |publisher=Jiosaavn}}</ref>

| genre        = [[Feature film soundtrack]]

| length      = 22:03

| language    = Hindi<!--Do not link per WP:OL-->

| label        = [[Sony Music India]]

}}

The music of film was composed by [[Tanishk Bagchi]], [[B Praak]], [[Jasleen Royal]], [[Javed-Mohsin]] and [[Vikram Montrose]] while lyrics written by [[Manoj Muntashir]], [[Rashmi Virag]], [[Anvita Dutt]], [[Jaani (songwriter)|Jaani]] and Tanishk Bagchi.

 

{{Tracklist

| total_length = 22:03

| extra_column = Singer(s)

| title1 = Raataan Lambiyan

| extra1 = [[Jubin Nautiyal]], [[Asees Kaur]]

| length1 = 3:50

| music3 = [[Javed-Mohsin]]

| music5 = Javed-Mohsin

| lyrics5 = Rashmi Virag

| length5 = 3:38

| title6 = Mann Bharryaa 2.0

| extra6 = B Praak

| music6 = B Praak

| lyrics6 = [[Jaani (songwriter)|Jaani]]

The film was scheduled to release theatrically on 3 July 2020 but was delayed due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]]. On 20 February 2021, the new release date was announced as 2 July 2021, before being postponed again.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/bollywood/story/sidharth-malhotra-and-kiara-advani-s-shershaah-to-release-on-july-2-1771192-2021-02-20|title=Sidharth Malhotra and Kiara Advani's Shershaah to release on July 2|date=20 February 2021|work=India Today|access-date=13 February 2021}}</ref> The film premiered on 12 August 2021 on [[Amazon Prime Video]].<ref name="release date"/> It became Amazon Prime India's most watched movie.<ref name="most watched">{{cite web |title=Shershaah becomes Amazon Prime India's most watched movie, Sidharth Malhotra is 'overwhelmed with love|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/shershaah-becomes-amazon-prime-india-s-most-watched-movie-sidharth-malhotra-is-overwhelmed-with-love-101630402634364.html|date=30 September 2021|access-date=1 September 2021}}</ref>

Upon release, ''Shershaah'' received mixed reviews from the film critics, who praised Malhotra's performance and the action sequences but criticised the writing of the film.<ref name="Shershaah1">{{Cite news|date=August 12, 2021|title=Shershaah Review: Sidharth Malhotra's War Film Gets Mixed Reactions From Critics, Many Says 'Yeh Dil Maange More'|url=https://in.news.yahoo.com/shershaah-review-sidharth-malhotras-war-060009147.html|url-status=live|access-date=August 17, 2021|website=[[Yahoo! News]] }}</ref><ref name="Shershaah2">{{Cite news|date=August 15, 2021|title=Shershaah Movie Review - Critics|url=https://www.addatoday.com/2021/08/shershaah-movie-review-critics.html?m=1|url-status=live|access-date=August 17, 2021|website=www.addatoday.com}}</ref> On the [[review aggregator]] website [[Rotten Tomatoes]], the film currently holds a rating of 54% based on 13 reviews and an [[Weighted arithmetic mean|average rating]] of 5.2/10.<ref>{{cite web|title=SHERSHAAH (2021)|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/shershaah|publisher=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|access-date=August 17, 2021}}</ref>

[[Taran Adarsh]] of ''[[Bollywood Hungama]]'' gave the film 3.5 stars out of 5 calling ''Shershaah'' "power-packed" and wrote, "''Shershaah'' salutes the valor, courage and bravery of Kargil war hero Captain Vikram Batra, Inspirational and emotional. A game changer for Sidharth Malhotra. Commanding act. Unmissable!. Director Vishnu Varadhan narrates the story of Shershaah with utmost competency. Screenwriting is absorbing for most parts. The war sequences are executed with flourish. The finale is sure to leave you moist-eyed".<ref>{{Cite web|last=Adarsh|first=Taran|author-link=Taran Adarsh|title=Tweet|url=https://twitter.com/taran_adarsh/status/1425648324313378820|url-status=live|access-date=2021-08-12|website=Twitter|language=en}}</ref>

[[Anna M. M. Vetticad]] of ''[[Firstpost]]'' gave the film 2.75 stars out 5 opining "Captain Vikram Batra biopic is gripping as an Army procedural", noting it as Malhotra's best performance since ''[[Kapoor and Sons]]'', and that "Vishnu Varadhan could not have found a more suitable mainstream star to join him in memorialising one of India’s favorite war heroes."<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-08-12|title=Shershaah movie review: Captain Vikram Batra biopic is gripping as an Army procedural, dips outside conflict zones|url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/shershaah-movie-review-captain-vikram-batra-biopic-is-gripping-as-an-army-procedural-dips-outside-conflict-zones-9881091.html|url-status=live|access-date=2021-08-12|website=Firstpost}}</ref> [[Saibal Chatterjee]] of ''[[NDTV]]'' gave the film 2.5 stars by saying Malhotra "has what it takes to portray Batra with efficiency." He concluded "The cinematic firepower and flint take Shershaah much higher - and further - as a war drama".<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-08-12|title=Shershaah Review: Sidharth Malhotra Has What It Takes But A War Hero Deserves A More Energetic Film|url=https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/shershaah-review-sidharth-malhotra-has-what-it-takes-but-a-war-hero-deserves-a-more-energetic-film-2508487|url-status=live|access-date=2021-08-17|website=[[NDTV]]}}</ref>

[[Anupama Chopra]] of ''[[Film Companion]]'' wrote, "The film's clunky structure doesn’t allow it to accrue tension or exert a grip, but it comes to life in the second hour once the battle begins".<ref>{{cite web|first=Anupama|last=Chopra|url=https://www.filmcompanion.in/reviews/bollywood-review/shershaah-review-amazon-prime-video-doesnt-have-the-daring-of-its-subject-sidharth-malhotra-kiara-advani-anupama-chopra/|title=Shershaah, On Amazon Prime Video, Doesn’t Have The Daring Of Its Subject |access-date=August 12, 2021}}</ref> Shubhra Gupta of ''[[The Indian Express]]'' gave the film 2 stars out of 5 saying that "the Sidharth Malhotra film has neither the necessary drama inherent in a cracking war film, nor does it raise patriotic goosebumps”.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-08-12|title=Shershaah movie review: Sidharth Malhotra-starrer needed to soar, for yeh dil maange more|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/movie-review/shershaah-movie-review-sidharth-malhotra-starrer-needed-to-soar-7449827/|access-date=2021-08-12|website=The Indian Express|language=en}}</ref> Writing for ''[[Hindustan Times]]'', Rohan Nahaar praised the screenplay but criticised the direction stating that the "smartly choreographed action, a reverent tone, and Sidharth Malhotra's sincere performance can't make up for Vishnu Varadhan's uneven direction".<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-08-12|title=Shershaah review: Sidharth Malhotra plays Vikram Batra with saintly sincerity in Amazon's simplistic war drama|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/shershaah-movie-review-sincere-sidharth-malhotra-plays-vikram-batra-with-saintly-swagger-in-amazon-s-simplistic-war-drama-101628692350461.html|url-status=live|access-date=2021-08-18|website=[[Hindustan Times]]}}</ref>

The talk Vishal Batra gives in the beginning of the film resembles the [[TED (conference)|TEDx]] talk he gave in 2017 (evident from the same title and similar clothes.)<ref name="scoopwhoop">{{cite web |last1=Magan |first1=Srishti |title=This Tribute By Captain Vikram Batra’s Twin Is The Most Inspiring Ted Talk You Will Ever Hear |url=https://www.scoopwhoop.com/entertainment/the-tedx-talk-by-capt-vikram-batra-s-twin-vishal-batra/ |website=www.scoopwhoop.com |publisher=ScoopWhoop |access-date=28 August 2021 |language=English |date=13 August 2021}}</ref>

The film depicts Vikram Batra and Dimple Cheema getting married, while she is unaware. In an interview with [[The Quint]] in 2016, Cheema revealed that, "while doing the ''[[parikrama]]'' of the ''[[Nishan Sahib]]'', he was walking behind me. On completing the ''parikrama'', he said 'Congratulations, Mrs. Batra'. I swirled around to see him holding one end of my ''[[dupatta]]''." In Sikhism, completion of four rounds around the ''Nishan Sahib'' is considered a [[Sikh marriage|marriage ritual]]. The depiction of Batra filling Cheema's hair parting with his blood (a [[Hindu marriage]] ritual) was also confirmed by her in the same interview.<ref name="quint">{{cite web |last1=Talwar |first1=Sushant |title=‘I Wish He Was Here’: The Heartbreaking Love Story of Vikram Batra |url=https://www.thequint.com/videos/late-captain-vikram-batra-dimple-cheema-girlfriend-love-story-kargil-war-death#read-more |website=TheQuint |publisher=TheQuint |access-date=28 August 2021 |language=en |date=9 September 2016}}</ref>

{{reflist}}

[[Category:Indian films]]

[[Category:Hindi-language films]]

[[Category:Indian war films]]