The Vaccine War Review: Coronavirus, which emerged from China’s Wuhan lab, causing havoc all over the world. Many heartbreaking scenes came to light during the second wave of the Corona epidemic. At that time everyone needed a vaccine, but making a vaccine is not a game. It takes years to make a vaccine. Under these circumstances, India decided to make its own vaccine. But Directed by Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri, The Vaccine War depicts the tireless efforts of frontline workers and scientists who worked day and night to create India’s indigenous vaccine. But the film especially narrates women scientists’ struggles, and ultimate success. Who believed India could also make its own vaccine and not depend on foreign organizations!
After depicting the pain of Kashmiri Pandits in ‘The Kashmir Files’, Vivek Agnihotri has made The Vaccine War as a medical thriller. Although The part before the intermission shows the lives of scientists.
Despite all the difficulties, Balram Bhargava, who is tough and dedicated to his work, instead of listening to the problem, believes in its solution. The film depicts the step-by-step manufacturing of Covaxin, which is being developed by Bharat Biotech at ICMR and the National Institute of Virology (NIV). During this period, Vivek touches on the frustrations, excitement, and domestic problems of the scientists inside the laboratories. Some moments even make you emotional. However, Vivek has taken a lot of time to establish the first part of the film. But This two-hour 40-minute film could have been shortened with tight editing. The film does not adequately depict the human tragedy caused by the Corona epidemic.
The story loses its grip after the intermission. The film revolves around the media trial. In the film, the media has been described as a puppet of ‘foreign powers’. Vivek’s effort to expose the toolkit sent to media houses for foreign vaccine promotion and existing pharma lobbying seems one-sided. The media as a whole will never believe that ‘India can’t do this’. Watching the film, it seems that the entire media has made it their goal to undermine the vaccine and the scientists dedicated to making it. In the film, it has been said about the media that it only spreads misinformation. This is indigestion.
In ‘The Vaccine War,’ we get a close look at India’s fight against COVID-19. It shows how hardworking scientists made a homegrown vaccine. The film also raises questions about the media’s role. Overall, it’s a thought-provoking movie that makes us think about the pandemic’s challenges and victories.