Director: Vivek Agnihotri
Cast: Nana Patekar, Pallavi Joshi, Raima Sen, Anupam Kher, Girija Oak, Nivedita Bhattacharya, Sapthami Gowda, Mohan Kapur
 
"The Vaccine War," directed by Vivek Agnihotri, attempts to shed light on the heroic efforts of India's scientific community in developing the indigenous COVID-19 vaccine, 'Covaxin,' within a remarkably short span of seven months. Based on Prof Balram Bhargava's book 'Going Viral,' the film delves into the intricacies of the vaccine's creation, but its narrative takes a sharp turn, attempting to defend the government's response to the pandemic.
 
The film's 2-hour-and-40-minute runtime unfolds in two distinct halves. The first diligently explores the lives of scientists, presenting their struggles and achievements. The latter part, unfortunately, transforms into a government-centric narrative, attempting to counter criticisms of the central government's handling of the pandemic. This shift in focus dilutes the film's sincerity and emotional impact.
 
While the first half excels in portraying the human side of scientific endeavors, the second half falters as it projects the media as the 'real virus' and dismisses the importance of press conferences. The narrative leans towards conspiracy theories, speculating on China's role, pharma lobbies, and media trials, appearing more opinionated than fact-based. The film's attempt to label certain journalists and their ideologies as 'prejudiced' adds a one-sided perspective to the storyline.
 
Despite these drawbacks, "The Vaccine War" has its merits. The script draws from real characters, capturing their daily struggles and workplace dynamics during a global crisis convincingly. The film is technically superior to Agnihotri's recent works, and the performances, especially by Nana Patekar and Pallavi Joshi, are commendable. The internal communication, organizational chaos, and conflicts are portrayed with authenticity.
 
However, the film's emphasis on overselling the 'atmanirbhar' (self-reliant) sentiment during a global crisis with significant human losses feels somewhat immature. The attempt to project the media as the antagonist and the narrative's dismissal of opposing views diminish the film's potential impact.
 
In conclusion, "The Vaccine War" manages to engage audiences with its portrayal of Indian scientists and their dedication. Yet, its uneven narrative and political overtones may leave viewers wanting a more balanced and nuanced exploration of the pandemic's complexities