The Ghazi Attack (2017) [Movie Review]

Dir: Sankalp Reddy
Starring: Rana Daggubati, Kay Kay Menon, Taapsee Pannu, Atul Kulkarni
Dur: 2 hrs 6 mins
Genre: War Drama
Rating: 6/10

The Ghazi Attack is inspired by true events that led up to the Indo-Pakistan War of 1971. The story is about an executive naval officer of the Indian submarine, INS Karanj, and his team who remain underwater for 18 days. The film explores the mysterious circumstances under which submarine, PNS Ghazi sank off the coast of Visakhapatnam in 1971. Since the film is told from an Indian point of view, it is embellished well enough to show us in a favourable light.

The film is an underwater tale of the courage and patriotism of the men aboard the Indian submarine who destroyed the Pakistani submarine, which was labeled as the best underwater vessel among those of both countries. Here already, one can smell a rat. Not only is the Pakistani submarine far better than the Indian one, it is also commanded by one of Pakistan’s best commanders. This does not take away anything from our own soldiers who risked their lives for the country, though it definitely paints them in dazzling colours. It’s not that the Indians did not outsmart and out-skill the Pakistanis but that it probably didn’t happen as smoothly as it is made out to be. Taapsee Pannu and a little girl are aimlessly cast as Bangladeshi refugees rescued from a sinking ship, except perhaps in an attempt to stay true to the reported facts.

Apart from the poor animation and suspicious story, the film is really good. The suspense is really taut and you get the feeling that your ears are going to pop as the submarine rises and sinks to different depths. The drama among the Indian officers is a bit funny, although it is to be expected, thanks to the opening scenes. The film is quite predictable but still manages to fascinate. Indians may feel proud watching this film, others, especially Pakistanis are likely to frown upon the depiction. You may like it or you may not, but the history remains, S21 miraculously saved Visakhapatnam and Pakistan’s ire led to the 1971 confrontation that ended up with the liberation of Bangladesh.    

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