Cast: Rahul Bose, Minissha Lamba, Jaaved Jaaferi, Deepak Dobriyal and Kay Kay Menon.

Director: Samar Khab

indya Rating 3/5

Shaurya is a film about courage and it was definitely needed to make this film.

Captain Javed Khaa (Deepak Dobriyal) is charged with the murder of a senior officer in Punj and has to undergo court martial. Best pals Major Siddhant Chaudhary (Rahul Bose) and Akash Kapoor (Jaaved Jaaferi) are put in charge of the case – Siddhant handling the defense and Akash the prosecution. But the former is least interested in the case and is involved just because he wants to enjoy some time off in Kashmir. He is basically in the army only because he dad achieved laurels in the same profession. His first interaction with Javed is met with stoic silence on the latter’s part but he doesn’t seem too perturbed. However, he soon gets into trouble following an interaction with a journalist Kaavya Shastri (Minissha Lamba) during which he blabbers stuff which he himself is not sure of in an attempt to impress here. Things get worse when during cross questioning he mutters that he would like to inspect the scene of crime and ends up meeting the arrogant Brigadier Rudra Pratap Singh (Kay Kay Menon) which gives him the jitters.

All the while, Akash stands by Siddhant’s side assuring him that it is an open and shut case and that he would just have to be present in court during the proceedings when it will be decided that Javed is guilty. But as Siddhant gradually gets involved in the case seriously he realizes that the truth is not as straightforward. With the help of Kaavya, whom he begins to like, Siddhant sets out against all odds to trace the motive behind why Javed opened fire on his senior officer.

Acting wise, Rahul Bose and Kay Kay Menon are proven performers who stand up yet again. Though there are traces of sameness in his acting, Rahul’s portrayal of both a happy go lucky officer and an intense defense lawyer showcase his acting abilities. Kay Kay playing the Brigadier who believes that he is above all is superb. Jaaved Jaaferi in the role of a hard hitting officer impresses while Minissha as the journalist is competent. Amrita Rao chips in with a heart-wrenching cameo playing the struggling wife of the deceased officer but the real hero of the story is also the hero of the film. Deepak Dobriyal has minimal dialogues but his straight faced expression and the pride with which he carries himself throughout the film is exceptional to watch.

If Shaurya suffers anywhere it is in the screenplay. The first half moves at a snail’s space when Siddhant is struggling to cope up with the responsibility handed to him. But once he finds his bearings, the narrative gets riveting. The transformation that takes place in Siddhant through the course of the case is one of the high points of the film. Also a couple of scenes from the film stay with you. The short emotional interaction between Kaavya and the dead officer’s wife (Amrita Rao) and the one in which a Kashmiri child refuses to take a chewing gum from Siddhant because he is a fauji are among them. The climax confrontation between the feisty Brigadier and a restrained yet confident Siddhant stands out.

Adnan Sami’s music does its bit for the film. Dheere Dheere is soulful while Kaise Kahe Dosti is aptly placed in the film just after the surprise midnight marriage of Aakash and Nandini arranged by Siddhant. Rozza Catalano’s item number is thanda compared to some recent ones.

With no big stars and a ‘non-commercial’ theme, Shaurya’s chances of succeeding at the box-office are minimal but it is definitely a brave attempt – one that Samar Khan can be proud of.