Bhuj: The Pride of India Story :-
In 1971, during the Indo-Pak war, a significant event unfolded in Bhuj, Gujarat, where the valor of local women played a pivotal role in the defense of the nation. This event forms the backdrop of the film “Bhuj: The Pride of India,” which recounts the remarkable story of how 300 Bhuj women risked their lives to restore a bombed Indian Air Force airstrip.
Movie Ratings
| Release Date | 12 August 2021 |
| Language | Hindi |
| Genre | Action, History |
| Duration | 2h 15min |
| Cast | Sidharth Malhotra, Kiara Advani, Shiv Panditt, Pranay Pachauri, Sahil Vaid, Atul Singh Verma, Shataf Figar, Vijay Meenu, Anil Charanjeett, Raj Arjun, Abhiroy Singh, Jaykartik, Nikitin Dheer, Himanshu Malhotra, Ankur Sharma, Trishaan, Rakesh Dubey, Manmeet Kaur |
| Director | Vishnuvardhan |
| Writer | Sandeep Srivastava |
| Cinematography | Kamaljeet Negi |
| Music | Yuvan Shankar Raja |
| Producer | Karan Johar, Hiroo Yash Johar, Apoorva Mehta, Shabbir Boxwala, Ajay Shah, Himanshu Gandhi |
| Production | Dharma Productions, Kaash Entertainment |
| Certificate | 18+ |
The Indo-Pak war of 1971 occurred in the context of the Bangladesh Liberation War, where India supported East Pakistan in its struggle against the oppressive regime of West Pakistan. As part of their strategy, Pakistan targeted various Indian air bases, including the prominent Indian Air Force (IAF) territory in Bhuj.
On the night of December 8, 1971, Pakistani Air Force (PAF) jets launched a devastating attack on the Bhuj airstrip, dropping more than 14 Napalm bombs. The airstrip suffered extensive damage, rendering it unusable and leaving Indian combat aircraft dysfunctional. With the impending threat of further Pakistani assaults, the Indian Armed Forces needed urgent repairs to the airstrip to maintain their defense capabilities.
Despite the urgency, resources were scarce, and time was running out. In this critical moment, Squadron Leader Vijay Karnik, portrayed by Ajay Devgn in the film, took charge and rallied the local women of Bhuj to assist in repairing the airstrip. Encouraged by Karnik’s leadership and motivated by a sense of patriotism, 300 villagers, predominantly women from Madhapur in Bhuj, volunteered to undertake the daunting task.
The women worked tirelessly, braving the dangers of working in a war zone, to restore the airstrip within a remarkably short period of 72 hours. Their efforts proved instrumental in ensuring that the Bhuj airstrip remained operational, enabling the Indian Air Force to defend against the incoming Pakistani air and land assault.
“Bhuj: The Pride of India,” directed by Abhishek Dudhaiya, pays homage to these unsung heroes and celebrates their courage and sacrifice. Through the film, audiences are transported back to this pivotal moment in history, witnessing the resilience and determination of ordinary civilians who rose to the occasion to defend their nation.
While the film captures the essence of the extraordinary events that unfolded in Bhuj during the Indo-Pak war of 1971, it also reflects on the evolution of Indian war cinema. It highlights the shift from overt jingoism to a more nuanced portrayal of war heroes and the human cost of conflict. However, some critics have noted that the film occasionally prioritizes dramatic storytelling over historical accuracy.
Despite these critiques, “Bhuj: The Pride of India” offers viewers a compelling narrative that honors the bravery and patriotism of those who played a vital role in defending the nation during one of its darkest hours. Through its portrayal of this lesser-known chapter of Indian history, the film serves as a tribute to the indomitable spirit of the Indian people in the face of adversity.
