Project: Bravehearts (Dice Media)
Produced by: Aditi Shrivastava
Direction: Happie Mongia & Bharat Misra
Cast:
Masterji: Shakti Kapoor (Masterji), Omkar Kulkarni (Army Officer)
Jaldi Lautna, Captain: Anushka Kaushik (Vibha Sahay), Varun Tewari (Captain Vikrant Sahay)
Shooter Jawan: Anup Soni (Army Officer), Rohit Pargai (Amar)
Ratings: 3 stars
Tales of patriotism, courage and bravado have been relevant in India for the longest time and why not? We take immense pride whenever we talk about anyone who’s contributed to the freedom and peace of this country. From freedom fighters who helped the country become independent from the clutches of the British to our beloved and brave army men who sacrifice their sleep, family and personal life just for the sake of the country, we have tales of spunky and mettlesome heroism everywhere. The concept is certainly not new as we have seen innumerable movies and web shows that help us get to know more of the life of a soldier on the battlefield. However, keeping everything aside, Dice Media’s latest offering ‘Bravehearts’ explores a completely different niche that has seldom been shown on screen. It explores the making of a ‘champion’ and helps us understand that there’s an infinite amount of blood, sweat, hard work and efforts needed for innumerable nights before one fine night, you become an overnight success story. It helps you understand the emotional quotient a lot more and the humane sentiments are certainly relatable for one and all. Let’s get into an in-depth analysis of all three episodes individually.
Masterji: This can by far be called the most emotionally engaging episode so far. Although this isn’t the first time we see a human trying to realise his desire and dream via someone else whom he adores, the screenplay was indeed very moving. Its an inspiring tale about how a young orphan’s life entirely changes after two people start believing in him for their reasons. While the ‘humanitarian’ inside Omkar’s character feels he’s got the makings of a brave soldier, Shakti Kapoor’s character of Masterji decides to support the young boy because he feels that’s the only way he can make up for the occasion when he himself ran away from army training against his father’s wishes. Masterji, who’s a tailor primarily stitching army officer uniforms, has a feeling that if he can play a small role in helping the little orphan boy become an Army officer, he would finally be guilt-free and in a position to be forgiven by his late father. Well, all we can say is that a tailor with ‘torn’ dreams finally managed to stitch it with perfection in the second chance that he got in life. Both Shakti and Omkar play their characters to good effect and the depth of the emotions can well be seen in their eyes for real.
Jaldi Lautna, Captain: Let’s be very honest from the word go. This story had the most potential because it was not just about one individual. It was about a couple in love who respected each other wonderfully. The short little tale is inspiring in a very sweet way. After the tragic demise of Captain Vikrant Sahay who’s a senior-ranked army officer at the Assam regiment, his wife is shattered and emotionally distraught. However, like a phoenix rising from the ashes, she relives the bravado of her brave late husband by undergoing immense training to successfully become an army officer herself. Although the story is extremely emotional and moving, there were certain elements in the screenplay which were very avoidable. There were a bit too many sequences which showed conversations between Vibha Sahay and her late husband’s soul and that’s when the realism factor started to sway away. The number of sequences which showed conversations between Vibha and her husband could have been reduced to an extent. Another thing which must be pointed out was the diction. It was impossible to figure out what she was trying to say when she was teary-eyed and heartbroken while imagining a conversation with her late husband. Well, either you keep the dialogues simple enough for the audience to figure out or you don’t keep any dialogue in an emotionally-driven scene like that. But why confuse your audience just to make it look emotionally charged up? Not needed.
Shooter Jawan: As far as narrative and screenplay’s impact is concerned, this would come just after ‘Masterji’ episode in terms of preference. Although the story isn’t anything new that we haven’t seen in the past, it will make you emotional. The way the journey of a young village boy Amar unfolds is quite motivating. Amar, who was initially in charge of cleaning garbage eventually becomes an army officer from the village courtesy of his hard work and efforts. This is one story that tells us the importance of having a mentor in life who helps us convert our passion into a profession by simultaneously guiding us in the right direction. Anup Soni plays the role of a senior army officer who successfully manages to mentor and groom a young talent with conviction. It teaches us how channelising someone’s energy into a positive direction can sometimes do wonders for the person.
‘Bravehearts’ has its own set of ups and downs in the narrative. All the actors, especially Shakti Kapoor and Anup Soni were extremely powerful in terms of performances. Special mention to veteran Shakti as it shows him in a light quite different to what we have seen in the past. While Anup was great within his boundaries and limitations of the screenplay, the body language or high-spirited attitude with motivating punchlines now and then will often end up reminding you of Anup Soni, the host of Crime Patrol. Perhaps, more detailing and layering of his character in the screenplay would have helped get his emotional side better, something we haven’t seen in him as a host of Crime Patrol. In a nutshell, ‘Bravehearts’ deserves your attention simply because of being a unique project that tells us about the backstory of a ‘champion in the making’. However, don’t expect anything beyond extraordinary or anything that you haven’t already seen in the past. Watch without expectations. Live in the moment and enjoy it without high hopes. You will not be disappointed in that case. 2.5/5 stars should be the ideal rating. However, an extra .5 to Dice Media for going ahead deep into an unexplored territory without thinking much of results.