Just as Uri: The Surgical Strike changed the game for Vicky Kaushal in 2019, Shershaah that released last week has propelled Sidharth Malhotra to the big league. The actor, who made his debut in Karan Johar’s Student of the Year in 2012, had waited patiently for his moment to come even as SOTY fellow actors Varun Dhawan and Alia Bhat who debuted with him took their careers further.
Now with the applause for his endearing but tenacious performance as Captain Vikram Batra in Amazon Prime Video’s direct-to-digital release, has also come critical acclaim. Shershaah is getting ra-rah reviews everywhere. Amazon might soon declare the Kargil war film of love and sacrifice as one of the biggest OTT successes in the world. Good for Sidharth. He carried Shershaah on his shoulders.
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Sidharth’s titular character role has resolutely carved a niche for the actor in the hearts and imaginations of Indian audiences. Describing Siddharth as “special” his first co-star and friend Alia Bhatt said, “Shershaah made me laugh and cry and everything more... it’s such a lovely film.” Whereas an impressed Shah Rukh Khan tweeted, “Watch Shershaah for Sid’s solid performance.”
The actor’s performance as PVC awardee Captain Vikram Batra held celebs and even Army dignitaries in awe. Former cricketer VVS Laxman wrote, “Watched Shershaah and was moved by the inspirational life of legendary Kargil War hero Vikram Batra. Sidharth Malhotra was brilliant. Not only played the character but totally lived it. An exemplary tribute to Kargil’s war heroes.”
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Trade analyst Taran Adarsh wrote, “Shershaah… a game changer for Sidharth Malhotra. Commanding act. Unmissable!” He also tweeted, “#SidharthMalhotra has cemented his position as a bankable actor. Also, post #Raazi and #Kesari, #Shershaah is the third patriotic film from #DharmaProductions that has found tremendous love from moviegoers.”
With #Shershaah winning acclaim from all quarters, #SidharthMalhotra has cemented his position as a bankable actor... Also, post #Raazi and #Kesari, #Shershaah is the third back-to-back patriotic film from #DharmaProductions that has found tremendous love from moviegoers. pic.twitter.com/75Y9bZgcQG
— taran adarsh (@taran_adarsh) August 13, 2021
Syed Ata Hasnain, Lt. Gen. (Retd), Indian Army, reviewed Shershaah for Rediff and lavished praise on the actor. He wrote, “Sidharth Malhotra fits the character of Captain Vikram Batra just perfectly; nonchalant, passionate and caring with an easy cheer. Soldiers love such officers and will follow them anywhere. I can see this film charging up the nation again just as Uri: The Surgical Strike did.”
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And Shershaah already has in its opening Independence Day weekend. With Siddharth behind it, the film achieved an 8.8 rating out of 10 on IMDb. Netizens have already voted it the ‘Best Bollywood film of 2021’. A devoted fan who followed Sidharth from SOTY in 2012 to Marjaavaan in 2019, said gratefully, “Sidharth Malhotra has finally arrived!” And he has.
