WATCH THE TRAILER HERE
First, the Recap:
Caught in the middle. War rages around you and yet, as a country, you remain detached, not willing to get involved, allowing the other battling factions to settle their conflict. But, what happens when suddenly, your own national security comes under threat and a critical decision must be made to contain a circumstance without instigating full involvement in war? It is 1971, and East Pakistan is rebelling against West Pakistan, all while India remains uninvolved despite the chaos around them. However, in an unanticipated move, West Pakistan opts to send materials to troops via a sea route through the Bay of Bengal via their advanced submarine, PNS Ghazi, additionally to also take out the Indian naval vessel INS Vikrant protecting the area.
Catching wind of this, the Indian Navy sends their own submarine, the INS Karanj S21, to observe and report on the Ghazi, but not fire on or engage with them in any way, as it would be a declaration of war by India on Pakistan. Complications arise, however, between the captain of the s21, Rann Vijay Singh (Kay Kay Menon), and the sub’s Lt. Commander, Arjun Varma (Rana Daggubati), as Singh believes in striking the enemy hard and fast while Varma knows they must stick to their observational status only unless otherwise instructed. With the crew, XO Devaraj (Atul Kulkarni), and a doctor turned refugee Ananya (Taapsee Pannu) caught in the center, the situation becomes a highly volatile and even more deadly when the captain of the Ghazi, Razaq Mohd Khan (Rahul Singh), more than shows his intent for the S21.
Next, my Mind:
Making it clear before the film began, via a verbal disclaimer, that the events depicted were not to be taken as fact, it still didn’t numb any of the impact displayed in director/co-writer Sankalp Reddy’s 116-minute war epic, delivering an intense, emotional, and very much formidable take on the mysterious events surrounding the sinking of the Ghazi during the Indo-Pak War of 1971. With a majority of the action taking place underwater in the compact boundaries and claustrophobic conditions found serving on a submarine, the narrative does what a film like “U-571” did in portraying the physical and mental toll taken on a crew and its leadership during highly fluctuating and ominously dangerous times, especially during the attack sequences, leading to the inevitable leaks, instrument failures, fires, loss of power, and other hazards which only add even more sense of fear and hopelessness to everyone present. Yet, it is more so a tale of untold bravery and fortitude by command staff to battle through their differences and find common ground in order to save them all while striving for victory against a relentless enemy. Well-filmed and very impactful.
Menon chews up scenery as the hard-edged Capt. Singh, presenting a man who’s been forged by war and truly believes attacking and destroying an enemy is the one path to tread, even at the risk of being disobedient to his superiors. Uncompromising and set in these ways, Singh charges forth here with this bravado and recklessness, even with his successes, and Menon so efficiently encapsulates this attitude and demeanor with earnest purpose. Daggubati likewise brings his own level of spirited, committed poise in his role of Lt. Commander Varma, a by-the-books officer assigned to the S21 with the sole intent of preventing Singh from playing warmonger. Varma’s steadfastness in the face of Singh’s fervent mindset is fantastic, and Daggubati emotes his character’s dogged convictions with passion. Kulkarni’s XO Devaraj is enacted well here, too, being an officer stuck in the unenviable position of trying to play mediator between the two antagonists. But, his loyalty to the crew and his commanders is likewise illustrated, often being a cooler head amidst the craziness when things turn south.
Given the role she is provided, Pannu does fine, but honestly feels a little wasted here, especially after her performance in “Pink” or for the upcoming “Naam Shabana”. Rahul Singh does a wonderful job for the overall short screen time he occupies as the equally hard-nosed, intelligent commander of the Ghazi. Additional supporting turns from Nassar, Milind Gunaji, and the late, sorely missed Om Puri as the Admiral of the Indian Navy along with others all contribute their part. Overall, “The Ghazi Attack” is a solid war drama based on real events that manages to do what so many well-made films of the genre do, whether Bollywood or Hollywood–showcase courage and exceptional valor, but also that war is never, in its sum total, glorious.
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
