As Indians celebrate 75th Independence Day on Sunday 15th August all over the world this year, Shershaah has just dropped a bomb on prime video as an Amazon original movie with an 8.8 rating and trending as number 1 in New Zealand.

A story of an Indian Army soldier who becomes a legend for his courage and valour, Param Vir Chakra (PVC) awardee Captain Vikram Batra who laid down his life for his country in the Kargil war of 1999. “If you are a fauji (soldier) then you live by chance, love by choice, and fight by profession” quotes Shershaah (King of Lions), his code name during radio communications with his battalion during the Indo-Pakistan war.

Indian military movies are not new for Bollywood but they are time and again a reminder that how greatly every Indian soldier (martyred or living) is valued and respected. India might have gained Independence from the British Raj but has to time and again defend itself from enemies that reside at the borders or sometimes attack from within the country.

Captain Vikram Batra’s character is played by Sidharth Malhotra, after being criticized as not a great actor for years, he comes out as a pleasant surprise. He slips into Vikram’s shoes with ease and makes the audience believe that this is how Shershaah lived, free-spirited and passionate about Bharat Mata (Motherland India) since childhood. In other words, if we think Sidharth is not very expressive with his emotions then yes as a soldier his acting fits quite well where he has to deal with grenades, guns, and shouting slogans ‘Durge Mata ki Jai” (Hail to the Goddess Durga)

On the other hand, Kiara Advani has not touched the cord the way Sidharth has, despite the fact she plays a crucial role in the film - the love interest of our hero. Later, when Vikram dies in the war we are informed in concluding scenes that to date Dimple Cheema remains unmarried, and that is what exactly she had told her father in the movie that if she isn’t with Vikram she will never marry anyone in her life. Despite setting such high standards in real life, Dimple in reel life can be seen questioning her role in Vikram’s life.

Sidharth and Kiara’s chemistry is notable as it stems from rumors of them being a real-life couple. Performances by Shiv Pandit, Nikitin Dheer, Shataf Figar, Anil Charanjeett, and other performers that play as soldiers don't go unnoticed.

The movie will also remind you of Abhishek Bachchan in LOC - Kargil, where he had also played Captain Vikram Batra as his character and Hrithik Roshan in Lakshya as few scenes, events, and dialogs like ‘ Yeh Dil Mange More’ (This heart desires more) still remain fresh in our memories.

Yes, we do have songs in the film, the most catching is "Raataan Lambiyan", the romantic number for Vikram and Dimple’s love angle, but it is nice to see that they are not overpowering the biopic, the concentration still remains on Vikram and his patriotism.

Something that is pleasant to see is that as the story begins and even the conclusion is on the shoulders of Vishal Batra, the twin brother of late Captain Vikram Batra, who is a banker now as he was unable to get into the Indian Army along with his brother.

Vishal is seen as a proud brother whose tears have still not dried up and who is gripped with emotions while he narrates the story of his braveheart sibling. -Vritti Parasher

Life should be measured in deeds, not years, Shershaah is all you need to watch this Independence Day