Amaran (2024) – A Gripping tale against terrorism

Creating war films is a challenging endeavor, and capturing the emotional struggles of soldiers and their families adds an even greater layer of complexity. Director Rajkumar Periasamy has done a commendable job, particularly given that he comes from an industry with limited experience in tackling war-themed narratives.

I first became aware of Major Mukund Varadarajan's story when his heroic sacrifice while fighting terrorists began circulating on Indian social media. And later Shiv Aroor’s book “India’s Most Fearless 1” documented Major Mukund's bravery and sacrifice.

However, what truly captured my attention was a video of the officer at home, teaching his beloved daughter a song by freedom-fighter and Tamil poet Bharathiyar from the British India era. There is not a household in Tamilnadu that has not sung this song to its children.

“Acchamillai Achhamillai Acchamenbathu illaiye

Ucchi meethu vaanidinthu veezhukindra pothilum

Acchamillai Acchamillai Acchamenbathillaiye”

“I have no fear over anything,

 Even if the sky above falls on my head,

I have no fear over anything”

The reality of the sacrifices made by a few families for the safety and well-being of the rest really struck me. I have never forgotten him or the video clip, ever since.

When the movie was announced, I was not sure if the actual events at the border would be depicted or if they would even make it past the censor board. The director has made a concerted effort to portray as much reality as possible in an industry that is typically known for its larger-than-life, masala films. Even the Major’s buddy Sepoy Vikram Singh was not missed out.

“Amaran” is a biographical film based on Major Mukund Varadarajan AC, a courageous officer in the Indian Army's Rajput Regiment, who was posthumously awarded the Ashok Chakra, India's highest peacetime gallantry award in 2014, for displaying valor beyond the call of duty. Sivakarthikeyan takes on the lead role with remarkable maturity, proving his ability to portray a serious character and deliver a performance that truly does justice to it.

Sai Pallavi portrays Indu Rebecca Varghese, the wife of Major Mukund Varadarajan, with remarkable depth. She skillfully brings to life the challenges faced by the wife of an army officer stationed at the front lines. Army wives, as depicted in the film, are a unique and resilient breed. They must possess extraordinary mental and emotional strength to manage their families during their husbands' long absences and remain steadfast in the face of the heart-wrenching possibility that their loved ones may ultimately make the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty. Sai Pallavi deserves immense praise for her portrayal of a real-life character who remained resolute in marrying the man she loved. She endured parenthood largely on her own and, just as she had promised her husband, held back her tears when the Army brought him home for his final rites.

Though the director refrains from showing graphic details, he still effectively captures the intensity of the head-hunting raids and ambushes carried out by both armies along the Line of Control. For Army soldiers, untimely death is a constant professional hazard—something they accept, with their sense of duty and brotherhood helping them push forward. However, this understanding is something a civilian, no matter how hard he tries, can never fully grasp. The director has done his homework.

Siva Karthikeyan’s portrayal of the Major’s grit and determination in his relentless pursuit of terrorist leaders pulls us into the heart of the Major’s Quick Reaction Team (QRT) of 44 RR (Rashtriya Rifles). While the real-life Major stands at 6'3" (according to Shiv Aroor), Siva Karthikeyan has put in considerable effort at the gym to match the Major's imposing physique, and it is evident in his performance.

Overall, this is a movie that one should watch, to realize how lucky we are to live in a country where there are young men who willingly give up their lives and risk everything they have, so the evil stays outside our borders. I read somewhere that “Be a citizen worthy of those who stand guard for us.”

The movie team has opened new doors for movie creators in Tamil Nadu. Hope more and more movies follow this genre and awareness about the threats we face reaches each corner of this country.