The film Major, directed by Sashi Kiran Tikka and written by Adivi Sesh, pays tribute not just to the 26/11 martyr Sandeep Unnikrishnan, but also to the sacrifices made by soldiers’ families. Sandeep, played by Adivi Sesh, has always had a protective instinct and a fascination with the life of a soldier. However, he grapples with the idea of what it truly means to be a soldier, including whether it requires sacrificing being a good husband and son or being a sacrificial lamb with no self-preservation. When tragedy strikes the nation, Sandeep, now an NSG major, must do his duty.
Despite the audience already knowing the major beats of the story, the filmmakers focus on Sandeep as a whole person rather than just a martyr. The audience mourns not just a soldier who sacrificed his life for his country, but a life that he could have lived. Saiee Manjrekar, who plays Sandeep’s childhood sweetheart Isha, and Shobitha Dhulipala, who plays businesswoman Pramoda, support Adivi Sesh’s performance well. The technical team also excels, including Abburi Ravi’s dialogue, Sricharan Pakala’s music, Vamsi Patchipulusu’s cinematography, and Vinay Kumar Sirigineedi and Kodati Pavan Kalyan’s editing. Naba’s action sequences stand out too.
The film is not without its flaws, including heavy-handed dialogue and music in some scenes and incomplete tracks regarding Sandeep’s army-mates. Adivi Sesh delivers the performance of a lifetime, while Saiee Manjrekar comes across as raw and inexperienced in emotional scenes. Shobitha, Murli Sharma, Anish Kuruvilla, Prakash Raj, and Revathi also give heartfelt performances.
Despite being an action drama, Major opts for a personal tone instead of a jingoistic one, making it a poignant tribute to Sandeep Unnikrishnan and soldiers’ families. The film deserves to be watched on the big screen.
