Tango Charlie is a 2005 Indian Hindi-language war film written and directed by Mani Shankar. The film features Bobby Deol as the main character, along with Ajay Devgn, Sanjay Dutt, Sunil Shetty, Tanishaa, Nandana Sen, and Sudesh Berry. The story follows Tarun Chauhan, a military officer played by Bobby Deol, as he grows from a young border guard recruit to an experienced soldier in the Indian Border Security Force. The film was not allowed to be shown in Assam because it was said to unfairly harm the reputation of the Bodo community in Northeast India.
Plot
Two Indian Air Force helicopter pilots, Squadron Leader Vikram Rathore and Flight Lieutenant Shezad Khan (played by Sanjay Dutt and Sunil Shetty respectively), save an injured Indian soldier who is surrounded by dead terrorists in the Kashmir valley. They read the soldier’s diary to learn about his experiences as the story continues. Tarun Chauhan (Bobby Deol), a young recruit in the Border Security Force, trains under the guidance of experienced soldier Havaldar Mohammad Ali. Known as Tango Charlie, Tarun is involved in violent conflicts, riots, and counter-terrorism missions in various parts of India. His journey takes him from fighting separatists in the Northeast and Maoists in central India to witnessing religious conflicts in Gujarat and dealing with militancy in Kashmir. Through these events, he changes from a new recruit into a strong soldier, thinking about his responsibilities, right and wrong, and the effects of war on people. The film shows his growth during India’s internal conflicts, focusing on his personal challenges and his role in protecting the country.
The film returns to the beginning, showing Chauhan being rescued by the helicopter pilots. Later, the pilots are honored for finding Tango Charlie. Havaldar Ali is posthumously awarded the Ashok Chakra.
Release and reception
BBC's Jaspreet Pandohar described the film as "an interesting look at terrorism, violence, and bravery." Ziya Us Salam of The Hindu called the film "a visual treat with a bold topic" and noted that it "dares to explore areas that Indian media often avoids." Harish Kotian of Rediff.com wrote, "The movie attempts to show the lives of soldiers and the sacrifices they make, but it becomes confusing at times."