The COVID-19 pandemic shook the world and life as we know it changed drastically for all. Many of us lost loved ones or know those who have and the pain and struggles continue for many even today.
Director Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri’s Vaccine War now tries to showcase those who were unseen and unknown but who contributed extensively to the making of India’s indigenous vaccine, Covaxin. In fact, the movie is based on the book, Going Viral by Prof Balram Bhargava, Director General (DG), Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).
Nana Patekar essays the role of Prof Bhargava, DG, ICMR. As India wakes up to the knowledge of COVID-19, Prof Bhargava and his team get working on a possible cure. In this narration, it is the media who play the villain citing that ‘India can’t do it’ given the lack of medical facilities and infrastructure to tackle such a pandemic given the 130-crore population. Prof Bhargava is determined to prove ‘India can do it’ and tells his team – including Dr Priya Abraham (Pallavi Joshi), Director, National Institute of Virology, Pune – that saving Indians should be the eye of the fish and they focus on that like Arjuna did in the Mahabharata. How the team of scientists, which comprises mostly women, achieve this is what has been captured by the book and the film.
The Vaccine War’s narration is simple and devoid of extreme scientific jargon which helps the audience comprehend the goings on in the science world easily. Agnihotri has not held back when it comes to showcasing how the government had to cross so many hurdles and made extreme efforts to prevent the loss of lives. This is when it comes across more as a mouthpiece rather than reality and begins to lose focus. The first half of the film revolves around the scientists, their hardships, sacrifices and chaos they face at work and home. One can emotionally connect to this and feel their emotions. But in the second half, this good work seems to come slightly undone with too much rah-rahing. Nana Patekar and Pallavi Joshi are excellent in the film and the real-life characters come to life through them. The theme of atmanirbhar sentiment runs through the film and as we contemplate life during this time, there is a clear political message and a social message. Watch The Vaccine War with an open mind as it’s an important story of how Indian scientists saved many lives through their unrecognised work.