Vivek Agnihotri has been in the limelight after The Kashmir Files. After making hard-hitting films like The Tashkent Files and The Kashmir Files, Vivek decided to make a film on Covaxin, which is India’s own Covid vaccine. The Vaccine War tells the journey of Indian scientists and what went behind making the vaccine.
The Vaccine War is based on a book titled ‘Going Viral’ written by Dr. Balram Bhargava who is Director General of the Indian Council of Medical Research. The book describes the efforts put by Indian scientists in making the vaccine. The book showcases the efforts and sacrifices made by the scientists who worked tirelessly to keep us safe. Going Viral tells the journey of these soldiers (scientists) through the eyes of Dr. Balram Bhargava.
The Vaccine War is not like the previous 2 films of Vivek Agnihotri. The Vaccine War looks more like a docu-drama. Being given the treatment of a docu-drama is not the problem here. The Vaccine War is very late in today’s time.
The world has now moved forward and wants to forget the pandemic era. The Vaccine War reminds us of the horrifying Covid days. The Vaccine War would have been more effective, if it was made a little earlier. The film would have been more relevant at the start of 2022.
The Vaccine War is India’s first ever bio-science film. The Vaccine War is not suitable for every section of audience, it has been only made for a particular section of audience. The film has many scientific terms, which many people won’t be able to understand. The film does not have that appeal which The Kashmir Files had.
The Vaccine War is a docu-drama which is 90% set in the same location i.e. laboratory and conference room. The film may feel a little boring because of its long runtime of 160 minutes.
The Vaccine War is a very deep and well researched film about the vaccine making process. The process is very technical and not everyone will be able to understand.
Performance wise Nana Patekar tops the chart. Nana Patekar is a legend of Indian Cinema. The way Nana brings ease in every character he performs is really praiseworthy. Nana nailed the attitude, look and personality of an Indian scientist like a boss. Whenever Nana comes on-screen he lightens up the environment. Nana Patekar as Dr. Balram Bhargava is unbeatable. Pallavi Joshi as Dr. Priya Abraham is very honest. Pallavi Joshi is a powerful performer and The Vaccine War just adds another powerful character in her filmography. Raima Sen plays the role of a journalist named Rohini Singh Dhulia. Raima has delivered a fine performance for which she will be hated for a long time. Girij Oak Godbole as Dr. Nivedita Gupta is as natural as she can be. Anupam Kher gets a very limited screen presence. Anupam Kher fails to leave a mark. The rest of the cast including Nivedita Bhattacharya, Sapthami Gowda, and Mohan Kapur are good in their roles.
The press conference scene in the climax is the major highlight of the film. Nana Patekar gives a solid speech in the end which will give you goosebumps and make you feel proud as an Indian.
There are many scenes which will stay with you. There are many powerful and thought provoking dialogues. Punchlines delivered by Nana Patekar are solid and hard-hitting.
The film shows every little detailing of what went behind making India’s own Covid vaccine – Covaxin. The film is divided into 12 chapters. Each chapter showcases the journey and process. The film shows how the Corona virus was grown, how it was isolated, how the test was done on animals, the trials made of animals and much more.
The film shows that while the world was suffering, scientists were tirelessly working day and night to make a vaccine for us. The soldiers fought this situation like a war and emerged as winners.
The Vaccine War shows us behind the scene scenario of Indian scientists and their struggle. The vaccine making process was very difficult and challenging as there were many obstacles in the way. The film makes you feel proud as an Indian. The film increases our respect for Indian scientists.
There were many Covid warriors like doctors, nurses, social workers, soldiers, scientists, crematorium workers, etc. The Vaccine War tells us that unknown chapter of scientists which we must know.
The Vaccine War also showcases the political side. The film also tells us about how there was a certain section, who tried to bring India down by degrading our vaccine and made false allegations.
We all will be able to connect with The Vaccine War, as we were confused at that point of time about which vaccine would be good for us. The vaccines like Covishield, Covaxin and Sputnik V were available. People used to do research on which vaccine has more efficacy and which would be good for them. The Vaccine War tells us all the small details about these vaccines.
Covid pandemic was a nightmare for every person living on this planet. The pandemic took the lives of many people. Many people lost their family members, friends, relatives and beloved ones in this pandemic. Covid did no good to India but it definitely improved the medical facilities in our nation.
The positive to take from the pandemic for India was development in medical facilities. Many things such as beds, ventilators, oxygen plants, masks, PPE kits, etc. were made available within a shorter period.
The Vaccine War tells us that India has a great potential to pull off any difficult task. The film makes us believe that from ‘India Can’t Do It’ to ‘India Can Do It’.
The scientists believed that ‘Only Science Can Win This War’ and did not care much about everything else.
The film takes us into a deep insight of how fake articles and false news affected the minds of people.
The Vaccine War is somewhere let down by unnecessary added political stuff. The film seems a little overdramatic in some parts. If The Vaccine War would have sticked to the its real subject, it would have turned out to be a better film. The whole political thing seems like a little propaganda.
The film also showcases the personal lives of scientists. It tells how it affects the lives of family members of that scientist. There were many scientists who made sacrifices for their nation. There were many women who left their children, husband and other family members behind for the nation.
We often see in the news, some or the other achievements of different countries all over the world. India has also achieved many things which are unknown to people. The Vaccine War shows us that there is a certain lobby who tries to bring India down.
The film takes a solid dig at all the fake news spreaders. There are people who will always try to bring you down, but you have to believe in yourself and move forward.
No director except Vivek Agnihotri could have done justice to this story. The main problem is that he is a little late and now people won’t show much interest in it. The technical terminologies were must as it’s a bio-science film but it limits the audience. This vaccine topic would have been in demand if it would have been made several months ago. The film would have been accepted by the audience on a larger scale then, but in today’s time it seems difficult.
Overall, The Vaccine War is like a vaccine which is made a little late and would have been more effective if made earlier. The Vaccine War is a must watch for all the documentary film lovers. Watch The Vaccine War to celebrate the success of India and to celebrate the hard work of Indian scientists. Watch The Vaccine War to celebrate the Women of our nation. The Vaccine War doesn’t deserve a big screen experience but deserves your attention once for sure (wait for OTT release). The Vaccine War ends up being an average affair.
Rating – 2.5/5*
