5 days ago
Kargil Vijay Diwas: 3 War Films To Take You Straight To The Line Of Fire
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Sandese aate hain, hamme tadpate hain, Jo chitthi aati hai woh poochhe jaati hai, Ke ghar kab aaoge, ke ghar kab aaoge Likho kab aaoge...'. This iconic song from Border is a heartfelt musical ode to our soldiers guarding our borders. Composer Anu Mallick created this song just after taking a look at a devastating photograph of soldiers guarding hostile borders amidst snowfall-covered ground. The whole song embraces the tales of grit, glory and gunfire of India's brave hearts. As the nation salutes its heroes, Bollywood has also paid its heartfelt tribute. The iconic movies didn't just showcase the battlefields; they also peeked into the silent battles that the families of these soldiers go through every day. (Image: IMDb)
As we commemorate Kargil Vijay Diwas on July 26 every year, Shivangi Sharma, Chief Entertainment Officer, Excitel revisits three Bollywood war films that take you straight to the frontlines, giving a cinematic salute to our soldiers. (File Photo)
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L.O.C Kargil (2003): If there's one film that tugs your heartstrings with tales of different characters, it is this one. Packed with an ensemble cast including Sanjay Dutt, Ajay Devgn, Saif Ali Khan, Akshaye Khanna, Manoj Bajpayee, the film is a 4-hour-long chronicle of the tales from the Kargil War. (Image: IMDb)
What's more interesting is its storytelling. It sails like the journal of various soldiers from different regiments who fought with their blood and sweat in this 1999 hostile war. From cinematography along the high-altitude scenic terrains of Kashmir to its brutal gun fights across the deserts, it nails every element of a war ensemble. It makes you teary-eyed at once and fills you with pride, the next moment. (Image: IMDb)
Lakshya (2004): We all hummed and grooved to the iconic track of 'Main aisa kyu hoon' once in a lifetime. Karan Shergill, played by Hrithik Roshan, was an aimless young man who wandered throughout his life and then suddenly bumped into the Indian Army. Yes, we all did relate to Karan. However, Lakshya isn't just a coming-of-age journey. (Image: IMDb)
Underneath it's a visual treat for all war film fans! As Karan gets to know about the discipline, dedication and daring of the Indian Army, we also get to experience closely. The climax, which showcases an evolved Karan Shergill battling through the hostile peak occupied by enemy forces, mirrors the real-life missions during the Kargil conflict. With Farhan Akhtar's unique storytelling and brilliant cinematography, Lakshya remains one of Bollywood's most soul-stirring war dramas. (Image: IMDb)
Shershaah (2021): 'Yeh dil maange more!', the war cry of Captain Vikram Batra was enough to tremble the enemy fortresses during the Kargil War. It wasn't just a war cry; it became a wake-up for the whole nation. (Image: IMDb)
However, we never peeked into the life of its real hero. Sidharth Malhotra-starrer Shershaah was an eye opener for us. Portraying the fearless Param Vir Chakra awardee captain Batra, Malhotra delivered his finest performance and made us believe that why the captain's call sign was Shershaah (Lion King). With heart-pounding battle scenes, tender love story, and a tale of sheer dedication, this film is a must-watch! (Image: IMDb)
