#Paltan is a underrated war drama

Movie Review: #PALTAN tells the story of a military clash between India and China in 1967. This is a time when the state of Sikkim isn’t a part of India. China wants to capture it by hook or by crook for strategic reasons but due to international pressure, they can’t make their intentions public. Yet, at Nathu La border in Sikkim, they keep engaging in minor skirmishes to scare the Indian forces which are stationed there after the king of Sikkim granted them permission. Maj. Gen. Sagat Singh (Jackie Shroff) appoints Lt. Col. Rai Singh Yadav (Arjun Rampal) as the in charge of Nathu La. Rai has undergone training in London and is well versed with Chinese tactics. Some of the officers under him at Nathu La are Major #BishenSingh (Sonu Sood), Captain #PrithviSinghDagar (Gurmeet Choudhary), Major #HarbhajanSingh (Harshvardhan Rane), 2 Lt. #AttarSingh (Luv Sinha), #HawaldarLakshmiChand (Abhilash Chaudhary) etc. Frustrated with the constant harassment by Chinese, Rai recommends that a permanent fence be laid down dividing the Indian and Chinese border. This would stop the regular fights between the forces of both countries over where exactly the border line is. Work on the fencing begins on the Indian side and it rattles the Chinese as this would put their plan of capturing Sikkim in jeopardy. With no other option in hand, the Chinese forces open fire and a war breaks out between the two countries.#J P Dutta's story is based on real life incidents and he tries his best to keep it as authentic as possible. J P Dutta’s screenplay is engaging.#J P Dutta’s dialogues are simple and sharp. #J P Dutta’s direction is topnotch. At the same time he has kept his sensibility intact. He however should have not let the proceedings to be stretched and should have avoided scenes similar to BORDER. But he executed the war scenes like a pro.
#PALTAN is two and a half hours long and takes a long time in the build up. The war commences only in the middle of the second half and that’s when the film truly shines. Before that, the film has its moments but not in entirety. One of the most heartbreaking sequences of the film is in the beginning showing a postman delivering the telegram to several houses in a neighborhood and thereby informing them of the demise of their family members in the 1962 war.After the story shifts to 1967, the film continues to be engaging. There are far too many sequences of the Chinese soldiers arguing with the Indians. Also some amount of time is devoted in throwing light on the personal lives of the soldiers and their lovers.The war sequence however is sans complaints.
#JackieShroff is in a supporting role and does fine. Some of his English dialogues in the beginning are a bit difficult to comprehend. #ArjunRampal plays the main officer in charge of the border and he nicely plays his part. The way he shows aggression but also knows when to restrain himself is impressive. #SonuSood is a natural and adds a lot to the film. #GurmeetChoudhary leaves a huge mark with his humour, temper and also his romantic side. #HarshvardhanRane also delivers a stupendous performance and looks perfect as the angry young Sardar. These two young actors get a chance to show their true potential in this film. #SiddhanthKapoor gets limited scope but is memorable as he plays the interpreter. #LuvSinha is alright but gets to show his worth in some very important scenes in the 2nd half.#AbhilashChaudhary and #NagenderChoudhary get very limited scope. #RohitRoy (Major Cheema) is wasted. As for the actresses, #MonicaGill (Harjyot) gets the maximum scope followed by #DipikaKakar (Captain Prithvi Singh Dagar's fiance) and both are nice. #EshaGupta (Lt. Col. Rai Singh Yadav’s wife) is hardly there while #SonalChauhan (Major Bishen Singh's wife) appears only for a few seconds in a song.Anu Malik’s music isn’t of chartbuster variety but works for the film.#Sanjoy Chowdhury’s background score is dramatic and adds to the excitement. #NigamBomzan and #ShaileshAwasthi's cinematography is breathtaking and has captured the locales beautifully. However in terms of authenticity, the film falters a bit as they have tried to recreate Sikkim in Ladakh and obviously the topographies of both regions are different. #AmrishPatange and #DayanidhiPatturajan's production design is very real. The huge billboard of #Mao Zedong creates an impact. #ShamKaushal’s action is terrific and makes the war scenes so real but at the same time he avoids gore.
           On the whole, #PALTAN not only enlightens viewers about a lost chapter in history but also entertains viewers while doing so. Though the buzz is limited, a good word of mouth can definitely help the film.