Vicky Kaushal recently opened up about his role as Sam Manekshaw in Meghna Gulzar’s biographical film Sam Bahadur, sharing a heartfelt message he received from the late Army chief’s daughter. Despite the film not achieving the box office success it deserved, largely due to the competition from Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Animal starring Ranbir Kapoor, Sam Bahadur struck a chord with its audience. Many lauded Vicky Kaushal for his remarkable portrayal of India’s first Field Marshal, Sam Manekshaw.
Reflecting on the experience, Vicky described Sam Manekshaw as his most demanding role yet. During an interview with Bollywood Hungama, he recounted a touching incident involving Maya Manekshaw, Sam Manekshaw’s daughter, who reached out to him after watching the song “Tauba Tauba” from his latest film Bad Newz.
“There’s a significant difference between playing an army officer and portraying an officer who is revered as a legend by the Army. The responsibility is immense,” Vicky explained. He shared that his parents, who had lived through the 1971 India-Pakistan war in Punjab, often told him stories about Sam Manekshaw. “My parents would tell me how they studied in darkened rooms, took shelter in storerooms, and anxiously awaited Sam Sir’s updates on the radio. Growing up with those stories and then having the chance to bring him to life on screen felt like a tremendous responsibility. It was nerve-wracking, but I was fortunate to work under the guidance of Meghna Gulzar,” Vicky remarked, praising the director for her meticulous attention to detail and dedication.
Vicky also shared a memorable exchange with Maya Manekshaw. “Maya messaged me after watching ‘Tauba Tauba’ and asked, ‘Who is this guy?’ I was puzzled at first. Then she explained, ‘Five months ago, you made me believe you were my father; you can’t be doing this now.’ It was the biggest compliment I could have received,” Vicky said with a laugh, expressing his gratitude for her kind words.
Though Sam Bahadur may not have performed as expected at the box office, Vicky Kaushal’s portrayal of Sam Manekshaw has undoubtedly left a lasting impression, further establishing him as one of Bollywood’s most talented actors.
