The Vaccine War Explained
The Vaccine War is a 2023 Indian Hindi-language medical docudrama film directed by Vivek Agnihotri and produced by Pallavi Joshi.[4] It tells about the development of Covaxin during the COVID-19 pandemic in India, shedding light on the efforts of scientists involved in its creation. It is based on the book "Going Viral" by Prof Balram Bhargava of Indian Council of Medical Research.
The film features Nana Patekar, Pallavi Joshi, Raima Sen, Anupam Kher, Girija Oak, Nivedita Bhattacharya, Sapthami Gowda, and Mohan Kapur.[5] The Vaccine War was theatrically released on 28 September 2023. The Film received mixed reviews from critics mostly negative. Against its budget, the film collected worldwide and became a box office bomb.[6] It was featured at the 54th IFFI Indian panorama section where it received a standing ovation.[7]
Plot
Scientists at the Indian biomedical lab roll out an indigenous vaccine at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in the race against time. The Director General of ICMR Dr. Balram Bhargava spearheads the vaccine development project. A high level expert committee is set-up by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, ICMR, and Bharat Biotech.
A scientific team of bioengineers led by Dr. Priya Abraham, Director of ICMR-National Institute of Virology, consists of Virologists Dr. Sreelekshmy Mohandas, Dr. Nivedita Gupta, and Dr. Pragya Yadav; Epidemiologists and Infectious Disease Scientists Dr. Rajni Kant Srivastava, Dr. Raman Gangakhedkar, Dr. Samiran Panda, Dr. Varsha Potdar and Dr. Enna Dogra Gupta.
The SARS-CoV-2 strain (NIV-2020-770) used in developing the BBV152 vaccine is retrieved from tourists who arrive in New Delhi, India. The scientific team sequences the ‘Vero CCL-81’ cells and the genome sequence is deposited in the GISAID database. The team then reports the development of an inactivated whole-virion SARS-CoV-2 vaccine BBV152, which elicits a neutralizing antibody response in animal studies, and phase I clinical trial against hCoV-19/India/2020770.
Production
The film was announced in November 2022, last schedule started in June 2023 and the shoot wrapped up on 13 August 2023.[8]
Release
Theatrical
The theatrical release date was announced via teaser on the 77th Independence Day of India.[9] The film will be released on 28 September 2023.[10] Earlier it was set to be released on 15 August 2023 and then 24 October 2023. It is planned to be released in eleven Indian languages[11] including Hindi, English, Bengali, Marathi, Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Punjabi, Malayalam, Gujarati and Bhojpuri.
The official trailer was released on 12 September 2023.[12] The Vaccine War was marketed as "India's first bio-science film".[13] The film was theatrically released on 28 September 2023.
The films digital streaming rights was sold to Disney+ Hotstar for 35 crore.[14] The film was premiered on the platform on 24 November 2023.[15]
Music
The music of the film is composed by Rohit Sharma, Vanraj Bhatia, Swapnil Bandodkar and Shryea Kaul while lyrics written by Vasant Dev and Shryea Kaul.[16]
Reception
Critical reception
The Vaccine War garnered mixed reviews from the critics.
Mudit Bhatnagar of Times Now rating it 3.5/5,[17] praising its blend of science and emotion. Reviewing the film, Shalini Langer of The Indian Express rated the film with 2.5 out of 5 stars and wrote "Vivek Agnihotri's devotion to his subject – with obviously the government's full cooperation and access – veers the film often towards the look and feel of a public service broadcast".[18] Zinia Bandyopadhyay of India Today rated the film with 2.5 out of 5 stars and wrote"watching the film might give the impression that the entire industry made it their mission to undermine the vaccine and the dedicated scientists behind it."[19] Renuka Vyavahare of The Times of India rated the film with 2.5 out of 5 stars and wrote "Nana Patekar is outstanding but the film reduces itself to being a government mouthpiece parading as a medical drama."[20] Venkat Arikatla of Greatandhra gave a rating of 1.5 out of 5, calling it an overdose of propagandist torture. He stated, what the film does is malign those journalists who rightly questioned the ruling party's grand claims of being capable of producing the vaccine.[21]
The film is also reviewed by Manoj Kumar and Manish Sachan in Media Asia,[22] Anuj Kumar of The Hindu,[23] Nandini Ramnath of Scroll.in,[24] Monika Rawal Kukreja of Hindustan Times,[25] Guruprasad D. N. of Deccan Herald,[26] Avinash Ramachandran of Cinema Express,[27] Pooja Biraia Jaiswal of The Week,[28] Garima Sadhwani[29] and Pratikshy Mishra[30] of The Quint, Mayur Sanap of Rediff.com,[31] and Lachmi Deb Roy of Firstpost.[32]
Box office
On its opening day, The Vaccine War collected a total India net of .
The Vaccine War has grossed in India, with a further in overseas, for a worldwide total of .[3] [33]
Notes and References
- Web site: EXCLUSIVE: The Vaccine War Runtime 160 Minutes And Replacement By Censor – Chu**ya With Bewaqoof, Mandir With Vishwaguru, Reference Of PM As Viswaguru. 20 August 2023 . August 20, 2023. 17 September 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230917172005/https://boxofficeworldwide.com/movies-latest-news/exclusive-the-vaccine-war-runtime-160-minutes-and-replacement-by-censor-chuya-with-bewaqoof-mandir-with-vishwaguru-reference-of-pm-as-viswaguru/. live.
- Web site: Vivek Agnihotri Says Shah Rukh Khan's 'Jawan' Will Be 'All Time Blockbuster', Talks About 'The Vaccine War' Clash With 'Salaar'. ABP News. 13 July 2023 . 2023-09-18. 14 July 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230714190605/https://news.abplive.com/entertainment/movies/vivek-agnihotri-shah-rukh-khan-jawan-will-be-all-time-blockbuster-talks-about-the-vaccine-war-clash-with-prabhas-salaar-1615701. live.
- Web site: The Vaccine War Box office. 2023-10-01. Bollywood Hungama. 28 September 2023 . 1 October 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231001161305/https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movie/the-vaccine-war/box-office/. live.
- Web site: डेस्क . एबीपी एंटरटेनमेंट . 2023-08-15 . विवेक रंजन अग्निहोत्री ने 'द वैक्सीन वॉर' का शानदार टीज़र रिलीज . 2023-08-15 . . hi . 15 August 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230815105654/https://www.abplive.com/entertainment/bollywood/the-vaccine-war-teaser-release-vivek-ranjan-agnihotri-produced-by-pallavi-joshi-nana-patekar-raima-sen-anupam-kher-2474198 . live .
- News: 2023-08-15 . Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri's 'The Vaccine War' to release in September, teaser out . . 2023-08-15 . 0971-8257 . 15 August 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230815105654/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/vivek-ranjan-agnihotris-the-vaccine-war-to-release-in-september-teaser-out/articleshow/102744448.cms?from=mdr . live .
- Web site: Fukrey 3 box office collection is Rs 66.15 crore, The Vaccine War folds up with Rs 47 lakh despite PM Modi's mention. 6 October 2023.
- News: Indian Panorama 2023 Announces Official Selection for 54th IFFI, 2023. 23 October 2023. 21 November 2023. Press Information Bureau. press release.
- Web site: 2023-08-15 . Vivek Agnihotri announces The Vaccine War release date with teaser. Watch . 2023-08-15 . . en . 15 August 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230815140358/https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/vivek-agnihotri-announces-the-vaccine-war-release-date-teaser-101692072720795.html . live .
- Web site: The Vaccine War teaser: Vivek Agnihotri shows intigruing glimpse of India's Covid-19 battle, sets up clash with Salaar . 2023-08-15 . . en . 15 August 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230815105654/https://www.dnaindia.com/bollywood/report-the-vaccine-war-teaser-vivek-agnihotri-pallavi-joshi-nana-patekar-india-covid-19-battle-clash-prabhas-salaar-3055895 . live .
- Web site: 2023-08-15 . Anupam Kher, Nana Patekar's The Vaccine War to clash with Prabhas' Salaar at the box office . 2023-08-15 . . en . 15 August 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230815102517/https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/anupam-kher-nana-patekars-the-vaccine-war-to-clash-with-prabhas-salaar-at-the-box-office-12999012.html . live .
- Web site: sanjana . 'The Vaccine War' Teaser OUT: Nana Patekar in Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri's directorial peaks fan curiosity . 2023-08-15 . . en . 15 August 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230815105655/https://newsable.asianetnews.com/entertainment/-the-vaccine-war-teaser-out-nana-patekar-in-vivek-ranjan-agnihotri-s-directorial-peaks-fan-curiosity-msw-rzf6k4 . live .
- Web site: 2023-09-12 . The Vaccine War trailer: It's Indian scientists vs naysayers in Vivek Agnihotri's next film . 2023-09-13 . Hindustan Times . en . 21 September 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230921174900/https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/the-vaccine-war-trailer-vivek-agnihotri-film-covid-19-pandemic-101694515518078.html . live .
- Web site: 2023-08-15 . The Vaccine War teaser: Vivek Agnihotri presents India's first Bio-Science movie on creating Covaxin, film to clash with Salaar . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230815105654/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/the-vaccine-war-teaser-vivek-agnihotri-nana-patekar-india-first-bio-science-movie-covaxin-salaar-clash-8893144/ . 15 August 2023 . 2023-08-15 . . en.
- Web site: Hungama . Bollywood . 2023-11-23 . EXCLUSIVE: The Vaccine War OTT rights sold at Rs. 35 crores : Bollywood News - Bollywood Hungama . . 2023-11-29 . en.
- Web site: The Vaccine War Finally Makes Its OTT Debut; Vivek Agnihotri-Directorial Is Streaming On This Digital Platform . 2023-11-25 . English Jagran . 24 November 2023 . en.
- Web site: The Vaccine War – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack. 25 September 2023. Jiosaavn. 25 September 2023. 25 September 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230925171238/https://www.jiosaavn.com/album/the-vaccine-war/OuDyEC3N,-Y_. live.
- Web site: The Vaccine War Movie Review: Vivek Agnihotri Blends Science With Emotions In Fitting Tribute To Unsung Pandemic Heroes . 2023-09-28 . TimesNow . 28 September 2023 . en . 28 September 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230928121408/https://www.timesnownews.com/entertainment-news/reviews/bollywood/the-vaccine-war-movie-review-vivek-agnihotri-blends-science-emotions-fitting-tribute-unsung-pandemic-heroes-imdb-rating-review-104001260 . live .
- Web site: 2023-09-28 . The Vaccine War movie review: Vivek Agnihotri's tribute to Covid warriors, and atmanirbharta . 2023-09-28 . The Indian Express . en . 28 September 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230928060619/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/movie-review/the-vaccine-war-movie-review-vivek-agnihotri-nana-patekar-covid-warriors-8959574/ . live .
- Web site: The Vaccine War Review: Vivek Agnihotri's film is relevant but not without flaws . 2023-09-28 . India Today . 28 September 2023 . en . 28 September 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230928061008/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/reviews/story/the-vaccine-war-review-vivek-agnihotri-film-is-relevant-but-not-without-flaws-2441496-2023-09-28 . live .
- News: The Vaccine War Movie Review : Not coronavirus, media's the real villain in this one-sided medical drama . The Times of India . 2023-09-28 . 0971-8257 . 28 September 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230928061244/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/movie-reviews/the-vaccine-war/movie-review/103997842.cms . live .
- Web site: Arikatla . Venkat . 2023-09-29 . 'The Vaccine War' Review: Overdose of propagandist torture . 2023-09-29 . greatandhra.com . en . 29 September 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230929090613/https://www.greatandhra.com/movies/reviews/the-vaccine-war-review-overdose-of-propagandist-torture-132482 . live .
- Kumar . Manoj . Sachan . Manish . 2023-10-24 . Government mouthpiece and media agenda: review of the film The Vaccine War . Media Asia . en . 1–7 . 10.1080/01296612.2023.2272364 . 264504938 . 0129-6612.
- News: Kumar . Anuj . 2023-09-28 . 'The Vaccine War' movie review: Nana Patekar and Pallavi Joshi drive this toolkit of a film . 2024-02-11 . The Hindu . en-IN . 0971-751X.
- Web site: Ramnath . Nandini . 2023-09-28 . 'The Vaccine War' review: The real battle is elsewhere . 2024-02-11 . Scroll.in . en-US.
- Web site: Kukreja . Monika Rawal . 2023-09-28 . The Vaccine War review: A tale of courage, conviction and science loaded with ace performances . 2024-02-11 . Hindustan Times . en.
- Web site: N . Guruprasad D. . The Vaccine War Vaccine nationalism with a dose of misinformation . 2024-02-11 . Deccan Herald . en.
- Web site: Ramachandran . Avinash . 28 September 2023 . The Vaccine War Movie Review: This compelling film that goes to both expected and unexpected places . 2024-02-11 . . en.
- Web site: Jaiswal . Pooja Biraia . 28 September 2023 . 'The Vaccine War' review: An engaging portrayal of the pandemic . 2024-02-11 . The Week . en.
- Web site: Sadhwani . Garima . 2023-09-29 . Honest Review: Why 'The Vaccine War' Is Not the Story of India's Scientists . 2024-02-11 . TheQuint . en.
- Web site: Mishra . Pratikshya . 2023-09-28 . 'The Vaccine War' Review: An Effective Tale of Heroism for the Most Part . 2024-02-11 . TheQuint . en.
- Web site: Sanap . Mayur . 28 September 2023 . The Vaccine War Review: Absorbing Drama . 2024-02-11 . Rediff . en.
- Web site: Roy . Lachmi Deb . 2023-09-28 . Vivek Agnihotri & Nana Patekar's The Vaccine War Movie Review . 2024-02-11 . Firstpost . en.
- News: Fukrey 3 On Course To Be a HIT - The Vaccine War. 20 January 2023. Box Office India. 5 October 2023. live. 5 October 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231005175311/https://boxofficeindia.com/report-details.php?articleid=8059.