Regarded as one of the fiercest battles in history, the Battle of Saragarhi bears testament to the unflinching bravery and valour of the 21 Sikhs who comprised the 36 Sikh Regiment of the British Army.
Stationed at the Saragarhi Fort, they managed to defer the attack by more than 10,000 Afghans. This is considered by many historians as one of the greatest last stands.
Kesari plays out as a cinematic tribute to the valour and sacrifice of these 21 men who preferred to die on the battlefield showing exemplary courage in the face of overwhelming odds.
We are first introduced to Havaldar Ishar Singh (Akshay Kumar), an upright soldier in the British Indian Army who routinely gets into trouble with his seniors for his headstrong opinion on justice and service. Upset with him for not following orders, Ishar Singh is sent to Saragarhi Fort to take charge. Apart from its strategic importance in the British rule in the province, it hasn’t seen much military action. But all that changes when local Tribe leaders gang up and march towards Saragarhi.
Directed by Anurag Singh and co-written by Girish Kohli, Kesari does a very efficient and smart handling of the inspiring subject.
It’s a war film that doesn’t allow its vision to be blinded by jingoism, hate or even unnecessary glorification of war.
The bravery of these men, the triumph of their human spirit is at every level displayed but they also never shy away from showing the brutality and the futility of killing and consequent bloodshed. It also shows us the seething rage of Indians against the insulting and unjust attitude of their colonisers (Britishers). In one scene, Ishar Singh talks about Harmandar Sahib and how Mia Mir laid its foundation stone at the request of Guru Arjan Dev.
The message of inclusivity is woven in skillfully in place of chest thumping patriotism.
At 156 mins , Kesari is neatly divided into two parts, with the first half allowing us an insight into the lives of these men who will eventually immortalise themselves fighting for their honour. Parineeti Chopra is in a small cameo, playing Akshay’s wife. There is precious little for her to do. Akshay Kumar on the other hand, enjoyed maximum responsibility and screen time. His turbaned look and the honourable pride in his mission is so commendably portrayed by him that he is never anything less than convincing in the role!
Anshul Choubey’s cinematography and the impressive CGI all come together to make it a compelling historical war saga.
A more pace enhancing editing would have gone a long way in making Kesari a more absorbing and arresting watch. Nonetheless, it still makes for powerful viewing.
3.5 quints out of 5!
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