Project: State Of Siege: Temple Attack

Lead Cast: Akshaye Khanna (Commando Hanut Singh), Gautam Rode, (Major Samar Chauhan), Vivek Dahiya (Captain Rohit Bagga)

Direction: Ken Ghosh

Ratings: 3.5 stars

ZEE5’s original film State Of Siege: Temple Attack packs a punch, and leading the rounds in the ring is its underrated but immensely talented actor Akshaye Khanna.

State Of Siege: Temple Attack has its heart in the right place and is a tale of valor told with immense integrity coupled with well-stitched elements of potboiler entertainment. If you love the dishooms and the sound of the AKs, this movie will keep you wrapped in attention till the end.

The movie is loosely based on the real-life incident of the Akshardham Temple Attacks in Gandhinagar, Gujarat shortly after the infamous Gujarat riots. Akshay Khanna, who makes his digital debut in the movie, plays the character of Commando Hanut Singh. His failure during a mission at Jammu & Kashmir terribly haunts him and that’s where he strives to prove his credentials more than ever before. The sequence and action quickly moves from J&K to Gujarat where destiny gives him another opportunity to prove his might as a soldier. He leads a brave team of NSG commandos comprising of characters with diverse back stories, the most interesting one being Major Samar Chauhan (Gautam Rode), who’s constantly torn between fulfilling responsibilities for his motherland and his pregnant wife. Vivek Dahiya as junior ‘Captain Rohit Bagga’ is dedicated towards fighting for his motherland but never shies away from taking potshots at his senior pro for his past failure. But, will Commando Hanut Singh be successful in regaining his lost glory by successfully leading a ‘next to impossible mission’? Even if he achieves his desired goal, will it come at the expense of losing his loved ones? No spoilers allowed folks.

The 110 mins film takes us back to 2002 in simple subtle ways. The narrative swiftly flows between scenes of politicians making loud statements about ‘peace’ immediately after the riots to gunmen storming inside the temple to conduct a shameful treacherous attack in a divine place like a temple. Director Ken Ghosh is successful in instilling a sense of fear and menace among the audience and his direction certainly adds value to the aesthetics.

The ‘hostage crisis’ situation in particular where we see ‘brainwashed’ gunmen with a radical orthodox mindset making little terrified kids sing religious hymns will definitely send chills down your spine. Akshaye Khanna shines bright like a diamond in his digital debut and as one would expect, there’s not a single dull moment when he’s in the frame. Gautam Rode & Vivek Dahiya too make an impact with their performances. Samir Soni, who plays the role of the CM of Gujarat, does his part well to add value to the overall narrative.

Special mention of riveting screenplay and engaging cinematography accentuating the overall impact of the storytelling. This ‘edge of a seat thriller’ is a must watch which has hues of patriotism, human sacrifice, courage and of course, victory of good over will. Go binge!

3.5/5