Major - What does it mean to be a soldier?

Major

2022, Telugu

Director- Sashi Kiran Tikka

Stars - Sesh Adivi, Saiee Manjrekar, Sobhita Dhulipala, Murli Sharma, Prakash Raj, Revathi

Mohan's Measure  ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

It seems the Tollywood gods heard my pleas. After a cavalcade of movies with paper thin plots, we have Major, a biopic loosely based on the life and martyrdom of Sandeep Unnikrishnan, the hero of 11/26/2008. With only a small group of fellow soldiers, Major Unnikrishnan managed to rescue 137 hostages from the Taj Hotel, making it possible for commandos to go in and either capture or kill the terrorists inside.

Mr. Sesh Adivi plays the Major with his usual professional style. The Major is an otherwise quiet and romantic man who is driven by an inexplicable sense to serve, which brings to the world a level of heroism the likes of which only India's patriotism can appreciate. 

The movie is no doubt predictable and at times, over the top. But the stories of heroes usually are. What I liked was the simple, tight plot,along with truly fine acting.  Particularly impressive is Ms. Manjrekar, who struggles between admiration and jealousy for her husband's love affair with the army. Equally impressive is Murli Sharma as the commanding officer, who must decide between  the safety of his top officer and the safety of the public.

Major is his creative use of an American tool not found too much in Tollywood. It's called a script. And this, along with great sets, superb cinematography, and a tight plot, allows a solid group of active to provide believable, genuine performances.

Major is based on the life and heroic self sacrifice of Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan, the man who led the rescue of 137 hostages from the Taj Hotel in 2008.

A movie safe to watch with kids, Major is a poignant and realistic at what it means to be a soldier. It is produced by Mahesh Babu, whom after his recent disaster, is proving to be a better producer than an actor.