New Delhi: Ahead of 75th Independence Day, Bhuj: The Pride of India is all set to hit theatres and is one of the mega budget movies to release on OTT platforms.
The period-war action film, starring Ajay Devgn is set to debut on Disney plus Hotstar on Friday. The movie has actors like Sonakshi Sinha, Nora Fatehi and Sharad Kelkar in pivotal roles.
The film narrates an incident of Indo-Pakistan war of 1971, in which an IAF squadron leader Vijay Karnik and his team rebuilt an Indian Air Force base with help of 300 local women and put up a brave fight against attackers. The airbase was attacked and damaged in firing by enemy planes.
While sharing the film’s trailer in July, Devgn described it as the untold story of ‘the greatest battle ever fought’.
True Story of 300 women who rebuilt airstrip during 1971 India-Pak war
‘Bhuj: The Pride of India’ is the story of unsung heroes during 1971 India-Pakistan war, in which 300 women of a village played pivotal role in pinning down the enemy forces.
On December 8, 1971 Pakistani jets bombarded Indian Airforce strip in Bhuj and dropped 14 Napalm bombs, rendering it useless. As the IAF planes couldn’t take off from there, it reached out to BSF troops and sought help in rebuilding the strip. But, the plan didn’t materialise due to shortage of jawans.
It was then, 300 women from Madhapur village of Bhuj stepped in and contributed in rebuilding the bombed airstrip. The women toiled day and night in rebuilding the trip while risking their lives. The damaged airstrip became functional on 4th day.
Valbai Seghani, one of these warrior women, told a newspaper, “We were 300 women who left our homes to help IAF and took part in rebuilding it so that pilots could fly from there. If we were to die, it would have been an honourable death,” she said.
Squadron Leader Karnik’s timely thinking and quick strategy turned the tables in India’s favour. His bold strategy of ‘inducting’ local women in the mission turned to be game changer move for Indian forces.
However, their act of valour and commendable service went unnoticed. The move is an attempt to celebrate their invaluable contribution and service to the nation, which till now has largely remained unknown.
