Like any other creative pursuit, the art of storytelling manifests itself in an infinite continuum. It is a tortuous journey between what the storyteller wants to tell and what the listener internalizes. The same story can be told in a myriad different ways, and that's what defines the journey. Two recent productions, both streaming on Netflix, are to me an illustrative case study of the above. Both of them ostensibly celebrate great stories of how India deals with its adversaries politically and tactically. However, that's where the similarity starts and ends.

One of them is a raging in-your-face visceral cauldron of a movie. The other is a well-grounded, beautifully understated and maturely told tale of valour.

One is firmly in the Indian Reifenstahl territory which doesn't even mask its hagiographic DNA, the other is a balanced critique of actual events that celebrates and berates characters without any overstatement or overkill.

One shows a RAW head taking a criminal decision of withholding intelligence from an existing government for whatever reason, the other smoothly underlines the fact that defence forces have no business interpreting political strategy.

One unabashedly peddles half truths and state-supported propaganda, the other insists on getting little details right, like the mandated use of ceremonial uniforms in the forces.

One is peopled by bloodthirsty hounds who are barely human, the other creates beautiful moments like a senior military officer candidly admitting to his junior teammates that he as the same war experience as them.

One relies on graphic violence to woo its audience, the other portrays violence through dialogues and tight editing so that the story doesn't get sidetracked.

By the way, both these productions are based in timelines when the same political party is in power.

Also, expectedly and tragically, while one had spawned the obnoxious 'peak-detailing' reels, the other has barely registered on that audience.

And that, to me, is the difference between blind nationalism and patriotism.

PS: its refreshing to note that, in the hands of a capable director, Manoj Muntashir's dialogues are more 'Teri mitti me mil jawan' than 'tel tere baap ka'.