A balanced portrayal of patriotism

The heightened portrayal of patriotism has a regular feature in Indian cinema for many years. Stories surrounding the lives of army officers are in vogue in the industry now – in films and web shows – more so after the success of URI: The Surgical Strike. The problem with most films surrounding the lives of army men has been the obvious melodrama and jingoistic treatment in highlighting their love for the nation.

While there was some apprehension that Adivi Sesh’s magnum opus Major may succumb to this cliché, the teaser was a strong indication that audiences needn’t have any such worries. The biopic of Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan, which highlights his heroics during the 26/11 attack in Mumbai, has been shot on a lavish scale and the slick treatment is a delight to watch. The director Sashikiran Tikka has adopted a matter-of-factly approach to the story and has avoided going overboard in terms of drama, emotions.

Saiee Manjrekar plays the love interest of the title character in the film, while Sobhita Dhulipala essays the role of a victim stuck in the Taj during the attack. Adivi Sesh has written the story and penned the screenplay for the trilingual, to release in Hindi, Telugu and Malayalam. Actors Prakash Raj and Revathi make for a solid supporting cast in Major.