The entire backdrop for the (coming of age of an entitled little brat) premise is factual - about Pakistani army regulars infiltrating Kargil sector disguised in civilian clothes. Early into the credits we see two consultants from the Army - a Lt Gen and a colonel.
Yes, I get the idea about "artistic liberties". But the glamorization from Bollywood and the myopic culture brings this down from what could have been a pretty decent movie.
Amitabh Bachchan who is 81 (in 2023) would have been 60 in 2004 when this movie was made - far too old for an active colonel in a combat-exposed post. But that explains why he needed to wear a winter jacket and gloves while everyone else seemed to be in regular summer/fall fatigues.
A colonel also commands a battalion - which according to Wiki - should have 300-1000 soldiers and about 15-20 officers. We barely see 30 people at the outpost. Where is the command chain - Lt colonels, majors, captains, 2nd lieutenants? The raid on the enemy post, the colonel sends 4 officers and 4 privates?? And they take off in a helicopter and land out of the blue in a valley with 3-4 foot tall grass. All the helicopter in-flight looked very CGI.
For the size the outpost might have been commanded by a major? But the Bollys decided Bachchan was too big to be "just a major".
The brigadier here - Amrish Puri (RIP) - was 71 at the time.
If only these directors and producers and casters can pick up actors based more on suitability for the role than name recognition...
And if you are getting advise from the army - can they not provide working choppers for flight scenes as well? And all of the combat soldiers just carried automatic rifles. No mortars, no bandages?
And of course song and dance... All in all a pretty sad effort.
Does this have spoilers? What spoilers??
Yes, I get the idea about "artistic liberties". But the glamorization from Bollywood and the myopic culture brings this down from what could have been a pretty decent movie.
Amitabh Bachchan who is 81 (in 2023) would have been 60 in 2004 when this movie was made - far too old for an active colonel in a combat-exposed post. But that explains why he needed to wear a winter jacket and gloves while everyone else seemed to be in regular summer/fall fatigues.
A colonel also commands a battalion - which according to Wiki - should have 300-1000 soldiers and about 15-20 officers. We barely see 30 people at the outpost. Where is the command chain - Lt colonels, majors, captains, 2nd lieutenants? The raid on the enemy post, the colonel sends 4 officers and 4 privates?? And they take off in a helicopter and land out of the blue in a valley with 3-4 foot tall grass. All the helicopter in-flight looked very CGI.
For the size the outpost might have been commanded by a major? But the Bollys decided Bachchan was too big to be "just a major".
The brigadier here - Amrish Puri (RIP) - was 71 at the time.
If only these directors and producers and casters can pick up actors based more on suitability for the role than name recognition...
And if you are getting advise from the army - can they not provide working choppers for flight scenes as well? And all of the combat soldiers just carried automatic rifles. No mortars, no bandages?
And of course song and dance... All in all a pretty sad effort.
Does this have spoilers? What spoilers??