Though Meghna Gulzar’s Sam Bahadur didn’t achieve the box office success it deserved, partly due to competition from Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s controversial Ranbir Kapoor-starrer Animal, the biographical war drama deeply resonated with audiences. Many praised Vicky Kaushal for his exceptional portrayal of Sam Manekshaw, India’s first Field Marshal.
Vicky, who considers Sam Manekshaw his most challenging role to date, recently shared a touching incident involving the late Army chief’s daughter, Maya Manekshaw. After watching the song “Tauba Tauba” from Vicky’s latest film Bad Newz, she reached out to him with a memorable message.
“There’s a difference between playing an army officer and playing an army officer who is considered a legend by the Army. It’s a huge responsibility,” Vicky shared during a recent chat with Bollywood Hungama. He recalled hearing stories about Sam Manekshaw from his parents, who lived through the 1971 India-Pakistan war in Punjab. “My parents used to tell me how they would study in dark rooms, hide in the storeroom, and anxiously wait for Sam Sir’s instructions on the radio. Growing up with these stories and then getting the opportunity to play him on screen felt like such a huge responsibility. It was nerve-wracking, but I was lucky to have been in the capable hands of Meghna Gulzar,” he said, praising the director for her meticulous and hardworking nature.
Vicky also shared a heartwarming exchange with Maya Manekshaw. “The other day, Maya messaged me after seeing ‘Tauba Tauba’. She asked, ‘Who is this guy?’ and I was confused. She explained, ‘Five months ago, you made me believe you were my father; you can’t be doing this now.’ I mean, it’s my job,” Vicky said with a laugh, adding, “But it felt like the biggest compliment for me.”
Despite Sam Bahadur’s box office performance, Vicky’s portrayal of Sam Manekshaw has left a lasting impact, further solidifying his reputation as one of Bollywood’s finest actors.
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