Director Meghna Gulzar will be directing Vicky Kaushal once again after Raazi. This time too, like in Raazi, Vicky plays an army man. Vicky has been roped for a biopic on Sam Maneckshaw, the legendary army man. This is not the first time Vicky has played an army officer, his role as an army officer in Uri was much appreciated as was the one in Raazi. He seems to be everyone’s favorite choice when it comes to casting an army officer!
Who Was Sam Manekshaw?
There is a famous quote by Sam Manekshaw that says,“If a man says he is not afraid of dying, he is either lying or is a Gorkha.” Sam Manekshaw also known as Sam Bahadur was born on 3 April 1914 in Amritsar, to a Parsi family. Manekshaw wanted to be a doctor like his military-doctor father but fate had something else in store for him. He became part of the first intake of 40 cadets of Indian Army in 1932 by clearing the Indian Military Academy (IMA) entrance examination.
He then served as a captain with the Frontier Force Regiment in Burma during World War II and clinched victory against the Japanese. He was often critically wounded and at one time he even had 9 bullets in his body when he was posted in Burma as a young captain and fighting a war with the Japanese.
Image Credit: Twitter
Sam Manekshaw was decorated with a Military Cross (MC) for his exemplary courage during this period. Manekshaw lived on to be a nonagenarian dying in Wellington, Tamil Nadu on 27June 2008 at the age of 94. Sam Bahadur-led the country to victory against Pakistan in 1971, which eventually led to the liberation of Bangladesh. Another one of his famous quotes came when asked what would have happened had he opted for Pakistan during partition, to which he cheekily replied, “Then Pakistan would have won all wars.” He was the first Indian Army officer to be promoted to the rank of Field Marshal and was also honoured with the Padma Vibhushan, the nation’s second highest civilian award.
It will be interesting to watch Vicky portray this role. The script for the biopic is written by Bhavani Iyer and Shantanu Shrivastava along with Meghna. Ronnie Screwvala who will be producing the film, says that Sam Manekshaw’s name will be etched in history as one of the greatest soldiers and minds India has ever seen. “Young India desperately needs role models to look up to, needs to be educated on the contribution made by this icon to India — as we know it today. I could not have asked for a better storyteller than Meghna to collaborate with on this one and will be a treat to do this with Vicky again,” adds Ronnie.
Image Credit: Movie – Raazi, Uri
According to Meghna this film had been in the planning between RSVP and her, for some time now. She adds, “With Vicky now coming on board to play Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, it has begun to simmer. Looking forward to things to come to fruition one step at a time.”
Vicky who is excited about his role says, “It’s an absolute honor for me to be getting the opportunity to portray the life of Sam Manekshaw. Reuniting with Ronnie and Meghna feels like Home because of the tremendous comfort level we share. We are thrilled to bring forward the story of this fearless patriot and the first Field Marshal of India.”
The film is slated to go on floors late next year.
