Shaurya : A few idiotic men

Originally published on Passion For Cinema

Perhaps it is the destiny of writer director Samaar Khan, to make a movie that by sheer coincidence turned out to be just like something called ‘A few good men’. Perhaps it was a mere coincidence that Samaar Khan, (who I am informed), is a former movie critic. Perhaps it is a mere coincidence that so far ALL movie reviewers trying their hand at film-making have immensely helped in redefining the term ‘shit‘. Perhaps it is a mere coincidence that whenever Rahul Bose opens his mouth (in the movie) you run to throw up in the bathroom (in the movie theater).

Perhaps it is mere coincidence that Javed Jaffrey looks more gay in crop cut hair and tight army uniforms than those fancy dress competitors at San Francisco’s gay parade. Perhaps it is a mere coincidence that Kay Kay Menon is by some terrible terrible terrible mistake, in the acting profession, perhaps he had applied for a bank accountant position and suddenly one fine day when he woke up, he had Mr. Samaar Khan sitting by his bedside, offering him a job of a “Brigadier” in the Indian army. Perhaps it is a coincidence that every flow, delivery and expression of Kay Kay in the climax (the best albiet a word to word copy of ‘A few good men’) reminds you of Kay Kay’s penultimate scene in Sarkar. Perhaps it is a coincidence that Kay Kay has stopped acting and stretching his creative capabilities, instead using 6 patented template expressions for every scene, performance, film since his last few films.

Perhaps it is a mere coincidence that a four shop mini mall at God knows where can be turned into Srinagar Airport, simply by changing the name plate from “Mini Mall” to “Srinagar Airport”. Perhaps it is a mere coincidence that Mr. Samaar Khan thought that, that Mini Mall now does look like an airport on camera, and actually shot the stupidity. Perhaps it is a mere coincidence that that stupidity is repeated every 10 minutes throughout the movie. Perhaps it is a mere coincidence that a Brigadier has no orderlies to serve him and his guest, alcohol… scotch to be precise.

Perhaps it is a mere coincidence that Deepak Dobriyal and Jhaanwi Talwar were the only two shining actors in a film full of idiots (Kay Kay’s performance included). Perhaps it is a mere coincidence that after watching Rahul Bose “act”, I’m changing my name to Marlon Brando. Perhaps it is a mere coincidence that there were some excellent crisp dialogues in the screenplay that turned into a 10 day old soggy samosa whenever Kay Kay and Rahul opened their trap to speak those excellent on paper words.

Perhaps it is a mere coincidence that even an inspired, copied disaster like ‘Shaurya’ raised two key issues - the ever growing shooting of army officers by their juniors and the never before mentioned atrocities that ‘may’ exist of the Indian army on the big screen. Perhaps it is a mere coincidence that the movie ended before the two issues could have been sharply focussed upon.

Perhaps it is a mere coincidence that I have a sharp headache after watching the movie, in spite of knowing that it may be a copy of ‘A few good men’.

Lastly, it is no coincidence that you stood up and clapped for the movie’s star performer Deepak Dobriyal. Having mastered the arithmetic of acting, Dobriyal’s portrayal of Captain Javed Khan, is nothing short of a wounded lion who roars through his eyes.

D Plus. A 6 pack of aspirin is a compulsory requirement in order to view this one.