Cast: Bobby Deol, Ajay Devgan, Tanisha Chandra, Nandana Sen
Music: Anu Malik, Anand Raj Anand
Direction: Mani Ratnam
War is not the answer
After years, Bobby Deol can look forward to a good hit. Tango Charlie has all the ingredients for making an impact on the minds of the viewers – lack of unnecessary song and dance sequences, heart-touching scenes, and most importantly, good acting.
The film starts with Sanjay Dutt and Suniel Shetty (both in special appearances) piloting an army helicopter. They rescue an injured Sepoy Tarun Chauhan (Bobby Deol) aka Tango Charlie who lies amidst some dead infiltrators on a snow-clad mountain near Kargil.
They read Chauhan’s diary, which they find with him and that is how the story unfolds. It is actually the story of Tango Charlie’s life as an army man with Hawaldar Mohammad Ali (Ajay Devgan) as his boss and commander. All you Ajay Devgan fans out there, here’s a movie you wouldn’t like to miss.
The film tries to reveal the story of the uncountable unsung heroes of the army who give their today for our tomorrow. The encounter scenes between the BSF and the terrorists in the jungle of Manipur are very absorbing. The scene where the terrorists slash jawan Biju’s stomach and leave him as a bait for the jawans is truly chilling. But, it also touches one’s heart.
The film also shows encounters between our two heroes (of course, along with other jawans) with Naxalites, the rioting crowds in Gujarat and the infiltrators in Kargil, where Hawalder Mohammad Ali ultimately meets his end. (a heroic one, as expected)
Kajol’s sister Tanisha makes quite an impact in the film as Tarun’s would-be wife. She has a bright career ahead in Bollywood. Nandana Sen, as Devgan’s love interest, also doesn’t do a bad job.
The three songs in the film, penned by Anand Raj Anand and Javed Akhtar and music by Anu Malik and Anand Raj Anand are pleasant to the ear.
Mani Ratnam had again proved his genius through Tango Charlie. The absence of excessive special effects in the film make it all the more realistic. The eternal war between the heart and the mind is shown in an excellent fashion through the film.
Many a viewer will feel a lump in their throat when they realize what the BSF men go through so that we can live in peace. Go and watch the film. It’ll be a decision you’ll not regret.