Sam HFJ Manekshaw also known as Sam Manekshaw, MC, was the first Field Marshal of India and a great Army General. He is honoured by Bollywood movie Sam Bahadur, starring Actor Vicky Kaushal.
His brilliant career changed India’s frontiers from World War II to the 1971 Indo-Pakistan war that resulted in the creation of Bangladesh. The film tells the story of the colourful life of this tough Army Commander, who his men referred to as “Sam Bahadur.”
More about Sam Manekshaw
In 1932, Manekshaw enrolled in the Indian Military Academy’s inaugural class in Dehradun. He received a commission in the 12th Frontier Force Regiment, 4th Battalion. He received the Military Cross for valour during World War II.
He was sent to the 8th Gorkha Rifles in 1947 after India was divided into two nations. Manekshaw never led an infantry unit because he was assigned to a planning duty during the 1947 Indo-Pakistani War and the Hyderabad Crisis.
While employed by the Military Operations Directorate, he received a promotion to the rank of brigadier. In 1952, he was appointed commander of the 167th Infantry Brigade, a role he held until 1954, when he was appointed head of military training at Army Headquarters.
In 1969, after serving as a division, corps, and regional commander of soldiers, Manekshaw was appointed as the seventh chief of staff of the army.
Bangladesh was established in December 1971 as a result of the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, which was won by Indian forces fighting Pakistan.
The second and third highest civilian honours in India, the Padma Vibhushan and Padma Bhushan, were given to him, respectively.
Movie Sam Bahadur
Sam Bahadur, also stylized as SAM; literally translated as “Sam the Brave,” is a biographical war drama film released in 2023 in the Hindi language. It is based on the life of Sam Manekshaw, the first field marshal of India.
Meghna Gulzar, who co-wrote the screenplay with Bhavani Iyer and Shantanu Srivastava, is directing it. Vicky Kaushal plays the lead character in this film, which is produced by Ronnie Screwvala under the auspices of RSVP Pictures.
Other cast members include Fatima Sana Shaikh, Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub, Sanya Malhotra, Neeraj Kabi, Edward Sonnenblick, and Vicky Kaushal.
Conclusion
Sam Bahadur is a melodious tribute to Sam Manekshaw.