Film

Shershaah

Name: Shershaah
Genre: Action, Drama, Thriller, War
Released: 2021
Cast: Sidharth Malhotra, Kiara Advani, Shataf Figar, Shiv Panditt, Nikitin Dheer

War action

A biographical war film about Captain Vikram Batra, India's youngest Param Vir Chakra recipient, who died in the 1999 Kargil War at 24. Shershaah balances combat heroics with intimate portrait of an idealistic soldier and his fiancée. Stirring, well-crafted, occasionally melodramatic—essential viewing if you care about this true story, moving even if you don't.

TMDb rating

3.6

Should you watch it?

Watch it if you want a sturdy, grounded war story anchored by one officer's personality, where the battle scenes are tense and the quieter scenes between soldiers carry real weight.

Skip it if you find military hardware and mountain-battle choreography tiresome, or want a war film that questions its own patriotism; this one is earnest and openly admiring of its hero.

What it asks of you: Expect a 135-minute run that moves between dense firefights and romance and banter, so it asks patience for its sentimental pauses as much as its gunfire.

Not sure? Find tonight's pick in a minute.

If you liked this

Uri: The Surgical Strike2019

A similarly structured Indian war film about a covert military operation, with comparable scale, patriotic fervor, and committed action sequences. Strong comparable for tone and audience.

But Slightly more conventional in its storytelling, and the political messaging can feel heavier-handed than Shershaah's more character-driven approach.

Raazi2018

Another Bollywood war narrative centered on sacrifice and duty, with real emotional weight beneath the action. Excellent lead performance and taut writing make it a natural companion piece.

But The protagonist's internal conflict may feel less straightforward than Shershaah's more linear heroic arc, which some find frustrating.

19172019

A continuous-take war film following soldiers on a dangerous mission, with similar emphasis on individual courage within massive conflict. Technically audacious and emotionally exhausting in the best way.

But British WWI setting and unflinching brutality create distance from Shershaah's more personalized heroism narrative. Very grim throughout.

Not sure tonight? Get a pick in a minute, starting from Shershaah

The wildcard

Something you would not have found on your own.

Come and See1985

Both are biographical war films structured around a single soldier's journey, but Come and See refuses heroic framing entirely. Where Shershaah honors Batra's courage, Come and See interrogates the price of war itself—a shadow version of the same story.

A Soviet film about a 14-year-old boy conscripted into WWII. Structurally similar to Shershaah—following one person through escalating horror—but radically different in register: traumatic, unsentimental, devastating. If you loved Shershaah's commitment to honoring sacrifice, this shows what that sacrifice actually costs.

But Relentlessly bleak and frequently unwatchable. Not inspirational in any traditional sense; many viewers find it too punishing to sit through.

Lakshya2004

An earlier Bollywood war film about a young soldier finding purpose and courage, with comparable themes of idealism tested by conflict. Less polished but genuinely moving.

But The filmmaking is dated, and the romantic subplot feels like it belongs in a different movie. Pacing drags in the second act.

The Ghazi Attack2017

An Indian war thriller based on a real naval incident, with similar commitment to honoring military personnel and depicting wartime sacrifice. Strong technical detail and tension.

But Narrower focus and submarine setting may feel claustrophobic. Less character development than Shershaah provides.

Rang De Basanti2006

A different kind of patriotic film about young idealists, with genuine emotion beneath the spectacle. Aamir Khan's performance and its moral complexity reward serious viewing.

But Quite long and tangential in places; the transition between tones can feel jarring if you're looking for straightforward war narrative.

Sardar Udham2021

A biographical portrait of revolutionary Udham Singh with similar visual ambition and commitment to historical truth. Vicky Kaushal's performance is extraordinary; the film moves between rage and sorrow with real skill.

But Considerably darker and more violent in its depiction of vengeance. The non-linear structure demands active attention throughout.

The Siege of Jadotville2016

An international film about an Irish military unit's stand against overwhelming odds, with comparable emphasis on leadership and sacrifice. Well-acted and genuinely tense.

But Lesser-known conflict and smaller production scope mean lower emotional stakes. Feels more conventional than Shershaah in almost every way.

Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl2020

A complementary perspective on the Kargil War, following India's first woman combat pilot. Different viewpoint on the same historical moment; earnest and spirited.

But Lighter tone and focus on personal breakthrough can feel thin compared to Shershaah's gravitas. Some supporting characters are underdeveloped.