Jun 12, 2008 05:30 PM
6598 Views
(Updated Jun 12, 2008 05:52 PM)
Shaurya is a must watch for those who believe in truth, who wish to regain power of truth, who wish to fight enemy within and who wish to fight for justice. My fingers on remote stopped wandering when I saw Shaurya on local channel. My father retired from Indian Army. I had small stint (Information Technology Projects) with peripheral defense formations. How can I switch the channel? It was an inspiration to watch Shaurya and let us appreciate the cause of director Mr. Samar Khan. Forget your mouse clicks and read on.
Shaurya is the story of plight of Indian soldiers, their pride, their valor and their helplessness. Orders are orders. They have no choice. They must follow them. At war front what, where, when and how is briefed. But soldiers have no right to ask why. Rules are rules. Orders make rules and procedures insipid. Orders are orders.
Captain Javed Khan - Guilty or not guilty pronounced a Judge in the military court martial and lawyer for Javed, Major Siddhant Choudhary - pleads non-guilty. Shauryais the story of Javed who knew what his obligations were to his nation and to his uniform. Javed was charged with an offence to kill his senior officer, Major Rathod, and other offences (IPC 302 and few provisions of Official Secret act 1923) slapped to send him to highest punishments. In house arrest, Javed never had any guilt of what he had committed. Silence was golden for Javed as he tendered his namaz prayer to his Allah and was mentally prepared to hear his reward-cum-punishment in Court of Martial.
Rahul Bose (Javed’s lawyer) was at his best, as usual. Departmental lawyer Major Akash Kapoor, was played by versatile actorJaaved Jaaferi. Rahul and Jaaved were close friends off duty and were equal rivals in court room. A role of journalist, Kavya Shastri, was played by Minissha Lamba. She assisted Rahul by news coverage and giving active moral support toRahul Bose.
Shaurya plot relates to base station Srinagar where commanding officer (CO) is Brigadier Rudra Pratap Singh. Kay Kay Menon has done full justice to this role. It takes thousand of rupees to prepare a cup of coffee on those mountain peaks. Government spends hell lot of money and this sharp golfer brigadier makes everyone aware of his knowledge and Insignia. It is honor for every soldier to get killed on border. Border was five minute away from this base, bullet was four minute away for this brigadier but he thinks himself one minute before everything. Single Malt is his passion so is his insignia. He hates generation of credit cards and generation of convenience. Only thing he loves is war. There has to be a war. War creates new heroes. This Brigadier Rudra Pratap Singh was his own hero in his own words and style.
Having pleaded non-guilty, the task before Javed’s lawyer was to uncover evidences, recreate crime scene, interrogate witnesses, cross verification of investigation officers and reveal truth. Truth makes everyone sleepless. Killed Major Rathod’s family showed disinterest to attend the court as wife of Major Rathod was harassed one. On the contrary, mother of the murder accused push for highest punishment for her son. What else wife of a Subhedar can ask as a reward? That’s the way true soldiers families have regard for the nation and uniform. It was Herculean task to uncover the truth but finally it surfaced.
Power drunk Major Rathod was empowered to kill anyone at his whims and fancies. He had full blessing of his master Brigadier Rudra Pratap Singh. During one search operation Rathod with his troop surrounds a village and ask everyone to beeline in front of him, in the dark night. He is cynical character. He treats every Muslim as terrorist, starts abusing and torturing youths and kids, ruthlessly. Captain Javed Khan reminds Rathod of service rules or else he will leave his command. Raged due to this sub-ordination Rathod kills one Muslim youth branding all Muslims as terrorist. Kids and families start crying and Rathod decides to kill one more. But before he could kill that innocent girl, Rathod was shot dead in pool of blood. With no choice left, Captain Javed Khan, a Muslim soldier, kills his senior and surrenders. By the time this fact was revealed to Major Siddhant, thiseye witness was found dead. Journalist Kavya Shastri was arrested under Official Secrets Act, and this was larger conspiracy.
Finally, Javed reveals the truth to his lawyer and it was a new twist to the story. Major Rathod was henchman of Brig Pratap. Wherever Pratap was transferred, Major Rathod shifted and joined him as trustworthy officer. This is the peculiar trend in armed forces.Masters carry their trustworthy officers as their spare wheel. What a scene it was, a Major interrogating a Brigadier in the witness box! And how well it was filmed? Kay Kay Menon was at his best. Finally Brigadier was broken, his ACR was challenged and his behavior patterns and cause for that behavior was put forth. Brigadier’s wife, daughter and mother were brutally murdered by their Muslim servant. From that day, Brigadier started hating every Muslim in the country. He himself revealed to court that all Muslims are terrorists. All Muslims are borne terrorists. Muslims must be killed and Captain Javed should also be killed mercilessly. Shocked by this revelation court orders enquiry against Brigadier and takes him in custody on charges of causing murder andculpable homicide. Captain Javed Khan was acquitted of all the charges and his uniform, his greatest reward, was returned to him.
Great movie! Even if I could get one reader watch this movie due to this review that will be my reward. Congrats Samar Khan. I missed last titles of this movie and I am going to watch it again and again till such movies are made again and again.
