State of Siege Story :-
In 2002, an assault on the Akshardham Temple in Gujarat by a group of terrorists resulted in the taking of pilgrims present as hostages.
Movie Ratings
| Release Date | 9 July 2021 |
| Language | Hindi |
| Genre | Action, Thriller |
| Duration | 1h 50min |
| Cast | Akshaye Khanna, Gautam Rode, Vivek Dahiya, Akshay Oberoi, Abhilash Chaudhary, Parvin Dabas, Samir Soni, Abhimanyu Singh, Mir Sarwar, Manjari Fadnis, Chandan Roy |
| Director | Ken Ghosh |
| Writer | William Borthwick, Simon Fantauzzo |
| Cinematography | Tejal Shetye |
| Music | Kartik Shah |
| Producer | Abhimanyu Singh |
| Production | Contiloe Pictures |
| Certificate | A |
Leading a team of NSG (National Security Guard) Commandos, Major Hanut Singh (played by Akshaye Khanna) is joined by Captain Rohit Bagga (played by Vivek Dahiya) to initiate the rescue operation of the trapped pilgrims from the clutches of the terrorists.
About 19 years ago, Ahmedabad, like the rest of the nation, was rocked by a terrorist attack that claimed approximately 30 lives and left over 80 people injured. Following the Gujarat riots in 2002, the assault on a temple on September 24 of the same year stunned the populace.
In a bid to secure the release of one of their gang members, Bilal Naikoo (portrayed by Mir Sarwar), a quartet of terrorists launched an attack on Krishna Dham Mandir (renamed from Akashardham Mandir). Orchestrated from Pakistan, the meticulously planned assault resulted in the loss of innocent lives and the taking of hostages. Ahmedabad police, alongside the National Security Guards (NSG), assumed control of the situation.
Drawing inspiration from real-life accounts, “State of Siege: Temple Attack” pays homage to the bravery of our uniformed personnel. The film strives to offer a comprehensive portrayal of the operation, detailing how the NSG succeeded in rescuing numerous individuals. Director Ken Ghosh takes certain creative liberties in dramatizing the tragic events of that historic day, crafting an engaging narrative. Nevertheless, the screenplay by William Borthwick and Simon Fantauzzo remains focused and avoids excessive dramatization of the terror attacks. It delves into the characters without idolizing them, acknowledging their heroism while staying true to reality. While reminiscent of other films and shows depicting terrorist attacks, some viewers may find the fictionalized elements of this drama disappointing. Overall, it merely scratches the surface of the issue, refraining from delving deeper or revealing undisclosed aspects.
Tejal Pramod Shetye’s cinematography enhances the story’s tone, particularly in the scenic landscapes of Manali, which captivate the audience. The action sequences between NSG commandos and terrorists, choreographed by Mandhar Verma and Rinku Bacchan, are executed with precision.
The film opens in Kupwara, Jammu and Kashmir, in 2001, where NSG commandos led by Major Hanut Singh (portrayed by Akshaye Khanna) and Capt. Bibek (played by Akshay Oberoi) conduct a rescue operation for a minister’s daughter kidnapped by terrorists. Hanut, along with other soldiers, is injured during the mission, leading to Capt. Bibek’s demise and Hanut’s subsequent struggle with PTSD. Despite his personal challenges, duty calls, and Hanut, alongside Captain Rohit Bagga (portrayed by Vivek Dahiya), is tasked with leading the operation to tackle the temple attack.
The ensemble cast delivers satisfactory performances, portraying their characters with the expected intensity. Parvin Dabas effectively portrays Col. Nagar, the NSG’s commanding officer. Akshaye Khanna’s portrayal of Major Hanut Singh, alongside Vivek Dahiya as Captain Rohit Bagga and Gautam Rode as Major Samar Chauhan, showcases a realistic depiction of military officers, devoid of exaggerated combat scenarios. Sameer Soni as CM Manish Choksi and Akshay Oberoi as Capt. Bibek make impactful appearances.
Abhimanyu Singh as Abu Hamza, Mir Sarwar as Bilal Naikoo, and the other terrorists – Abhilash Chaudhary as Iqbal, Dhanveer Singh as Hanif, Mridul Das as Farooq, and Mihir Ahuja
as Omar – effectively capture the nuances of their roles, including the local Pakistani-Punjabi accent.
Following Abhimanyu Singh’s “State of Siege: 26/11,” based on the Mumbai attacks, this 112-minute combat drama serves as a fitting tribute to our NSG soldiers. While it may evoke unpleasant memories for some, it is a compelling watch.
