“The Vaccine War”, turned out as a fantastic film, riveting and thought provoking which leaves one with a sense of pride being Indian.
Well-done Mr Agnihotri, the production team and amazing cast of stalwarts who acted beautifully, especially stern looking Nana Patekar as the no-nonsense DG of ICMR, in real life Dr Balram Bhargava.
Based on former ICMR director Dr Balram Bhargava’s book, Going Viral: Making Covaxin; the film clearly shows the power,determination and courage of India’s women scients, who worked tirelessly to produce India’s own covid vaccination.
Aided by Pallavi Joshi, Anumpam Kher, Girija Oak and Raima Sen with their emotive acting it felt like each character of the book is talking to the audience.
Vivek Agnihotri and his actor wife Pallavi are not typical ‘Bollywood’ as already proven by another of his National Award-winning film The Kashmir Files. He has made his mark in bringing true stories and quite creatively, a first Indian Bio-Science themed story which millions over the world will find relevant.
The story telling of is of different kind, depicted chronologically and to the point, of India’s battle with Covid19 leading to successful production of vaccine which saved millions of lives. It is about how India remarkably took the deadly virus head on by among the first five countries to isolate it thus paving the way for Bharat Biotech developed Covaxin, India’s first indigenous vaccine.
On the dramatic side s there were countless scenes swaying viewer emotions. It felt heartening to watching open, funeral pyres, women scientists visiting home after 3 weeks still doing domestic chores or returning back in a day following death of close family member to continue the research, the acute shortage of PPE including for the medical staff and even the DG himself becoming a Covid patient.
If you have daughters who want to become scientists, then take them to watch the film. They will be encouraged in every bit of developing story of showcasing phenomenal achievement of the women scientists, from isolation, extensive testing and formulation of the vaccine with world standard efficacy. Pallavi Joshi, in her role as head of National Institute of Virology looked convincing beyond doubt, not only in dealing with critical comments from the DG but standing up to the media purveying negative narrative of ‘India Can’t Do it’. To counter, there was a hint of pro-Modi and Government actions at various stages of the pandemic and importance of self-reliance, quoting the PM’s directive that ‘science should prevail’
There are enough stats and facts explained to the media as to why did the Government decide not to buy ‘foreign’ vaccines in the climax during the DG ‘s (Nana Patekar) monologue refuting fake articles published by t Rohini Singh Dhulia (Rima Sen).
In conclusion one left with positive message that It is very important for the world to acknowledge as we move towards in the top half of largest economies through such movies the struggles, determination and dedication with which our bright minds worked not only to address a complex and risky task of devising an effective vaccine successfully but to put the unrivalled principle of ‘Vasudhev Kutumbkam’ in practice.
A must watch!
BY:DeshPremi@Eashadoot
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