Biopic tells the story of freedom fighter in compelling detail

THE biopic based on the life of freedom fighter Udham Singh, which premiered recently on streaming site Amazon Prime, begins with the Indian being released from prison and undertaking a long journey to London, where years later in 1940, he shoots dead the man responsible for the 1919 Jallianwala Bagh massacre in Amritsar.

The period drama goes back and forth in time to show the detailed life of a legendary freedom fighter, from a young man being deeply affected by the carnage and teaming up with fellow freedom fighter Bhagat Singh to taking a deadly revenge on foreign shores. The story bounces between flashbacks from his life and the aftermath of the shooting, where he is interrogated and tortured in a UK jail.

The well-directed film covers a compelling chapter in Indian history in fine detail and provides plenty of information most won’t be aware of. It is beautifully shot and captures the time period really well. It also shows the role of Bhagat Singh and how deadly the Jallianwala Bagh massacre was.

The heart of this movie is a career-best performance from acclaimed actor Vicky Kaushal. The lead star has a brooding presence and adds depth with raw emotion, including through his silences. Unfortunately, the film moves at a slow pace and could have done with sharper editing to cut the length down by 20-30 minutes. It also becomes a little too preachy in places and adds in unnecessary scenes, turning Sardar Udham more into a history lesson than an entertaining movie.

But that likely won’t bother history buffs and Vicky Kaushal fans, since it is a great character study by a skilled director and an actor who is at the top of his game. Ultimately, it is a visually striking film that will reward those who are patient enough to overlook the long running time.

Starring: Vicky Kaushal, Shaun Scott, Stephen Hogan, Kirsty Averton, Amol Parashar Director: Shoojit Sircar