Tango Charlie

As Ajay Devgan says in the earlier part of the film, even if the entire platoon is killed fighting the insurgency in Manipur, it may just about make it to a column on page 13 of the national dailies.

The average Indian doesn't care about those dying daily in proxy-wars all across the Indian heartlands. The BSF jawans dying for that Indian, fortunately, don't care either. The rest of the movie makes you care... That is the story of ''Tango Charlie'', in a bombshell.

Bobby Deol is well cast as the lead character, who doesn t need more than 2 expressions to walk through the film shock and awe. India's answer to Keanu Reeves plays Tarun Chopra (aka Tango Charlie in wartime moniker). The story traces his innocent origins as a BSF jawan posted in the jungles of Manipur to the grim realities of the war in Kargil. I am still unsure whether anyone that has seen so much blood can retain the chocolate innocence Bobby does. He looks more like an MBA suited to an air-conditioned lifestyle than the hardened war-hero.

The production design takes all my awards. The producer has not flinched when it came to recreating the ravaged countryside. Be it the sylvan death-traps of Manipur or the period settings of Bengal, the riot-torn streets of Gujarat or the hostile snows of Kargil the viewer travels deep into the canvas. The theater I saw didn t have Dolby sound etc but we didn t miss anything. The visuals and soundtrack (background score by the criminally under-utilized Ranjit Barot) are enough. Direction and attention to detail by Mani Shankar is comparable to the best in Hollywood, with Indian Budgets of course ;)

Cameos by Sanjay Dutt and Sunil Shetty are a delight to watch. They bring an awesome dignity to a minor role, with glimpses of their post-Kaante chemistry. They are like sutradhaars , echoing the excitement and insensitivity of the viewers to all the insanity and gore. It could well degenerate into a documentary with the heavy theme and everyday violence, were it not for the irreverence displayed by these 2 characters. They make it easier for us to enjoy the film as a film.

The women, like all war movies, are required to add a third dimension to the hero. Like all war-movies, they are eminently forgettable except as speed-breakers to the narrative flow. Tanishaa is not Kajol, and that is a disappointment. Nandana Sen, however, marks her debut as the next hot Bollywood babe. Her moves on the deadly Devgan, while hiding from terrorists in a rain-soaked grotto, are not to be missed.

Kelly Dorjie is the surprise gift in this box of goodies. The menacing eyes and contented smile of this model-turned-actor haunt our dreams for many nights after-wards.

With absolutely no line of dialog and no time to develop his character, Dorjie has a daunting challenge to leave an impact. That he does, with a mesmerizing body language and subtle expressions that clearly display the ability and intelligence of his character. He is the quintessential Mowgli; an Olympian athlete; a teenage role model.

That he happens to be a villain is a matter of circumstances. He is merely a freedom fighter and should they win, history would treat him like her hero. Seeing the fluid movements of the guerrilla slither through the jungle, it is hard to believe this is his debut film!

In my opinion, Tango Charlie is a film about patriotism, nationalism and the futility of it all. Yes, there is a message. A strong one. But "Tango Charlie" scores because it is pure entertainment -- Hollywood style!!

The film opens with a chopper rescuing a nearly-dead soldier. While flying him back to base, they find and read his diary. That provides the narrative, and so much more, for showing his career and life from his first duty to the battlefield in snow-covered mountains where they found him.

Sets are richly varied and well-crafted for the episodic story. Acting is superb, with particularly fine performances from Bobby and Ajay. This film serves up all the intense action and emotions viewers could ask for. The 2:20 running time passed quickly.

Mani Shankar after a decent debut 16 December and then the biggest crap RUDRAKSH came with this film

I had no expectations from it as the promos gave away that it's a routine War film but it isn't

The film tries to show the life of the soldiers and does a good job But?

The forced love angles act as distraction and all the comic scenes involving Deol

The movie is well handled and the story goes on well The Kelly Dorjee scene wherein he slashes one guy's stomach is awesome till the entire scene in the water

Plus the scenes wherein Bobby accidentally kills the father of the guy is well handled

The climax does seem contrived and also the forced commercial ingredients like songs.etc

But overall a worthy film

Mani Shankar does a good job Music is alright Camera-work is great

Ajay Devgan acts his part like he usually does at his best Bobby Deol shines in his role except when he is made to act like a joker He brings a nice amt of shyness, simplicity and then braveness to the role Tanishaa irritates Kelly Dorjee is awesome rest are okay

If you are willing to ignore and look beyond patches of amateurish direction and illogical scenes then this is definitely a good entertaining movie.

Its in the same cult sphere as Sooryavansham but I would rate the story & acting of Tango Charlie at much higher level than Sooryavansham.

The stories are beautifully interwoven and for a once there is actually a great story to tell here, if only the director was bit more capable to handle such a story/script , we could have had an amazing movie on our hands.

Despite these obvious flaws & goofups , the director and especially Ajay & Bobby do manage to pull this off and give us a thought provoking yet entertaining movie . Nandana, Sudesh , Shahbaaz and Kelly definitely impressed in their small but powerful roles. Ajay was really impressive in his role and Bobby really looked the part of Tango Charlie.

Well-acted by almost majority of the actors (including Tanisha for a change).

Definetly worth a watch espcially on a lazy Sunday afternoon.

Even 14 years ago when the nation was way less polarized than it is now, a film examining the ugliness of perpetual war with certain communities within India and the disillusionment with the military-industrial complex did not impress the fragile nationalism of 'patriots'. It is no wonder that this film isn't to be found even on streaming services, that have resurrected gems like 'Kidnap' and 'God Tussi Great Ho' from the same period. Much like "Green Zone (2010)" that asked similar questions about US intentions and actions in the perpetual war in middle east, neither critics nor audiences had any love for either of these films. Funnily enough, attacks on the bureaucracy are not taboo as evidenced by the success of films like 'Enemy of the State' or 'Minority Report'. It's the military that's usual sacred. Only wanted to put it out there for any fans of this film, that you're not alone. I felt both TC and Green Zone were well written, tightly plotted, very well cast (especially Kelly Dorjie in TC) and quite entertaining. Politics aside, they are competent films with earnest performances. If you get a chance, watch it and share your opinion here