Vicky Kaushal announced his new upcoming movie based on Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw recently. Meghna Gulzar is directing the movie who has worked with Vicky Kaushal in Raazi also. The actor shared a video on social media where Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw pictures flashed after the title named Sam Bahadur. A voiceover was also given that said, “Kai naamo se pukare gaye, ek naam se humare hue.”. Vicky Kaushal wrote below, “The man. The legend. The brave heart. Our Sam Bahadur…On the birth anniversary of Field Marshal #SamManekshaw, his story has found its name. Sam Bahadur.”
Why Vicky Kaushal choose Sam Manekshaw biopic?
Field Marshal Sam Hormusji Framji Jamshedji Manekshaw was the Indian Army Chief and commanded the Indian forces during India Pakistan war in 1971. The first look of the movie poster was released on the death anniversary of Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw in 2019. The actor stated, “I feel honoured, emotional and proud of getting a chance to unfold the journey of this fearless patriot, the swashbuckling general, the first Field Marshal of India- Sam Manekshaw. Remembering him on his death anniversary today and embracing the new beginnings with Meghna Gulzar and Ronnie Screwvala,”
While talking about his role in the movie, Vicky Kaushal said that he had heard lots about Sam Manekshaw from his parents since his family too belonged to Punjab. They had seen war closely which made Vicky choose this movie biopic instantly as he could relate the movie scenes from real life. He claimed, “He was truly a legend this country had. It’s an honour of the highest order to get an opportunity to play this part.”
About Sam Manekshaw
Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw was born in Amritsar in Punjab to a Parsi family. His father Hormusi Manekshaw was a doctor by profession and his mother Heerabai was a homemaker and had moved to Punjab from a small town named Valsad in Gujarat.
Sam Manekshaw completed his schooling at Punjab and Sherwood College in Nainital. He received a distinction in the School Certificate Examination of the Cambridge Board when he was 15. Sam Manekshaw refused to go according to his father’s wish to go to London and become a gynaecologist. Instead, he took the entrance exams to get enrolled in the Indian Military Academy IMA in Dehradun. He was among the first 40 cadets to score high marks and thereafter cleared all the rounds successfully. This was only the beginning of his glorious military career spanning more than decades.
One of the most celebrated field marshals and a military general in India, Sam Manekshaw received a Padma Vibhushan and Padma Bhushan too. He was commissioned as the second lieutenant in the British Indian Army after he graduated from IMA in 1934. Later in 1938, he was accustomed to many languages including Urdu, Punjabi, Hindi, English and Gujarati thereby qualifying himself as a Higher Standard army interpreter in Pashto.
Sam Manekshaw role in World War-II
During the war, Sam Manekshaw had once escaped death after sustaining many bullet injuries. He had received a Military Cross for a brave encounter when he was stationed during World War II in Burma. He was shot in his stomach by a Japanese soldier during spearheading counteroffensive against the Japanese Army.
Sam Manekshaw countering unruly Pakistan in Kashmir during 1947 partition
Sam Manekshaw was the commanding officer of the 3rd Battalion of the 5th Gorkha Rifles in 1947. Before he moved in for his newly appointed post, Pakistan had already infiltrated Kashmir. The ruler of Jammu and Kashmir Maharaja Hari Singh had asked for help from the Indian government. On 25th October, Sam Maneksshaw joined the secretary of the States Department to Srinagar while V.P. Menon made an ariel survey of Kashmir situations.
During brief discussions made, Manekshaw suggested deploying troops so that Kashmir can be prevented from being captured by Pakistan. The next morning, Indian troops were sent and Srinagar was occupied while the Pakistan forces had reached the city outskirts only.
Sam Manekshaw heroic role in Indo-Pakistan War in 1971
Field Marshal and Chief of Indian Army Staff Sam Manekshaw led the Indian Army during the 1971 war which helped the liberation of Bangladesh after 13 days. He was a man of his words and had a tough gut. His charismatic leadership convinced Prime Minister Indira Gandhi that the Indian Army was not ready for the war in 1971 April. But when the India-Pakistan war finally broke in December 197, Manekshaw led the team to deliver one of the most remarkable and swiftest victories India ever had.
The sad demise of Sam Manekshaw
Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw died at an age of 94 on 27th June 2008. His name has been etched in history forever as one of the greatest army men and a soldier India has ever seen. He is more popularly known as Sam Bahadur by citizens.
Interesting facts about Sam Manekshaw
- Sam Manekshaw was the first Indian Army officer who received a five-star rank in the Field Marshal category.
- He served in the Indian Army for 40 years and took part in five wars.
- One of his famous quotes says, “If a man says he is not afraid of dying, he is either lying or he is a Gorkha”.
- Other than India Pakistan War 1965 and World War II, Sam Manekshaw took part in the Sino-Indian war of 1962, India Pakistan war 1947, and Bangladesh Liberation War 1971.
- When Indira Gandhi asked about the Indian Army’s readiness, Sam Manekshaw replied, “I am always ready sweetie.”. Sam referred to Indra Gandhi as sweetheart or sweetie due to their Parsi connection. Indira Gandhi husband Feroze Gandhi was also a Parsi.
- One of his famous sayings became popular when he quoted that if he opted for Pakistan during partition, “then Pakistan would have won all wars.”
- On special order from President in 1972, Sam Maneskshaw service was extended for six months. Although being unwilling to do so, he did for respecting President’s words.
- Sam Manekshaw was awarded Padma Bhushan in 1968, Military Cross in 1942 and Padma Vibhushan in 1972.
- Sam Manekshaw did because of pneumonia in a military hospital in Wellington. None of the politicians came for Sam Manekshaw’s funeral nor the day of mourning was kept after his sad demise.
