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Shaurya

A blatant copy with a contemporary Indian spin: it raises the contentious issue of army atrocities. But it’s a highly facile critique, a lost chance.

Namrata Joshi

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I
t doesn’t take much to figure out that Shaurya is a blatant copy: the scene construction, character delineation, even dialogue sounds obviously Hollywood. Samar Khan has been quite canny in giving a contemporary Indian spin to Rob Reiner’s A Few Good Men by raising the contentious issue of army atrocities. On the face of it, this might seem bold because our Hindi movies may critique any institution—religious, political or social—but have rarely held up the armed forces for scrutiny. But Shaurya is a lost chance. It’s a highly facile critique and, in fact, ends up finding a half-baked excuse to justify the demonic side of the army. Khan’s narrative is gripping, thanks to a strict adherence to the original; you could even overlook some obvious glitches in army protocol and procedures. Khan’s two key performers lend a helping hand.

Rahul Bose efficiently steps into Tom Cruise’s shoes. He plays the defence attorney in the court martial of a captain accused of killing the major in an operation in Kashmir. Kay Kay as the eccentric brigadier, what Jack Nicholson was in the original, doesn’t get much screen time save the climax, but steals the show. It is Lamba who grates and gets on your nerves as the journo with hair extensions and Jaaferi decides to keep quiet in the name of underplaying. And, lest I forget, Saif’s ex, Rozza, makes an unimpressive debut as the item girl.

High Fives

Bollywood

1. Race
2. One Two Three
3. Shaurya
4. Khuda Kay Liya
5. Jodhaa Akbar

Hollywood

1. 21
2. Nim’s Island
3. Leatherheads
4. Horton Hears a Who!
5. The Ruins

Videoclip Tracks

1. Touch My Body (Mariah Carey)
2. The Boss (Rick Ross featuring T-Pain)
3. No Air (Jordin Sparks & Chris Brown )
4. Lollipop (Lil Wayne featuring Static Major)
5. Elevator (Flo Rida featuring Timbaland)

Courtesy: Film Information

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