Prahaar: The Final Attack

About the film

Prahaar (transl. Attack) is a 1991 Indian Hindi-language action drama film, written and directed by Nana Patekar. The film was nominated for Best Story at the 37th Filmfare Awards of India.

Plot

2nd Lt. Peter D'Souza is an Indian Army officer who wants to join his battalion's specialist commando platoon. His father John D'Souza wants Peter to run the family bakery after him, his fiancée Shirley wants him to marry her while his neighbour Kiran tells Peter to follow his heart. Peter leaves for commando training at the Maratha Light Infantry Regimental Centre.

Enter Major V.S. Chavan. Chavan is described as a nightmare for every aspiring cadet, and he proves that the "honour" is well deserved. Under his leadership, cadets get exhausted in commando training. He has a sordid past; his mother was a prostitute. That was the last time Chavan saw her. A classical song that his mother usually sang for practice, seems to dominate his memories of his mother and his own childhood.

The unit resents Chavan's attitude, but this same attitude moulds them into a formidable unit. Peter hates Chavan's approach and decides to leave. Chavan tells him that if he flees his training, he will be considered a coward in the eyes of the people and his girlfriend. This motivates Peter, and as a result, he completes the training and tops his class. During a rescue operation, he loses the use of his legs and is honourably discharged from the Army. One commando (Diganto, or 2-by-2) loses his life in the operation. Later, he writes to Chavan inviting him to his wedding.

Soundtrack

The music of the film was composed by Laxmikant–Pyarelal. The lyrics were written by Mangesh Kulkarni.

Key details