As India observes the 25th anniversary of its victory over Pakistan in the Kargil War of 1999, here are some Hindi films that celebrate the real heroes behind the war in which over 500 soldiers sacrificed their lives:
■ LOC: Kargil (2003):
The war drama, featuring Sanjay Dutt, Ajay Devgn, Abhishek Bachchan, Saif Ali Khan and Suniel Shetty in lead roles, was one of the earliest films to be based on the Kargil War.
It didn't do that well at the box office perhaps because the memories of the war were still too fresh in people's mind. The film's story depicts the sacrifice by those behind Operation Vijay and captures how the Army fought the Pakistani intrusion on the Line of Control.
The film was directed by JP Dutta, who also made the hit drama Border, which was set during the 1971 war.
Lakshya
■ Lakshya (2004):
Farhan Akhtar's second film after his successful debut Dil Chahta Hai, Lakshya is an important movie in both Akhtar and Roshan's career. The story of the movie revolved around an aimless young man, who joins the Army and finds his purpose during the Kargil War. Though the film was not as big a box office success as his first, it became popular among the youth and inspired many to join the Indian Army.
■ Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl (2020):
The film, which released on Netflix during Covid, earned Janhvi Kapoor her career's best reviews with critics praising her portrayal of Indian Air Force officer Gunjan Saxena, who nurtured a dream to become a pilot since she was a child. Directed by Sharan Sharma, the film featured Pankaj Tripathi in the pivotal role of an encouraging father. Saxena played an important role in the Kargil War and the film captures her journey till that moment.
Shershaah
■ Shershaah (2021):
The Sidharth Malhotra and Kiara Advani led film also released during the pandemic. The actor's performance as Vikram Batra, the martyred Kargil war hero struck a chord with viewers. The film was directed by Vishnuvardhan. Batra, who sacrificed his life while trying to capture Point 5140 in Kargil, was posthumously awarded with the Param Vir Chakra. (PTI)
During the hearing, Clifford denied all the charges except for the rape charge, which was added to the indictment at the session. (Photo: Hertfordshire Police /Handout via REUTERS)
Man pleads not guilty to murder of BBC presenter's family
A 26-year-old man has pleaded not guilty to charges of murdering the wife and two daughters of BBC sports commentator John Hunt in a crossbow and knife attack.
Kyle Clifford, who also faces charges of rape, appeared via video link at Cambridge Crown Court on Thursday.
Clifford, arrested in July after a manhunt, is charged with three counts of murder, one count each of rape and false imprisonment, and two counts of possessing offensive weapons – a 10-inch knife and a crossbow.
During the hearing, Clifford denied all the charges except for the rape charge, which was added to the indictment at the session.
He is expected to enter a plea for that charge at a later date.
The victims were Carol Hunt, 61, wife of horseracing commentator John Hunt, and their daughters Louise, 25, and Hannah, 28.
An earlier hearing revealed that Louise had been found tied up and that both she and her sister had been shot with a crossbow, while their mother had been stabbed with a knife.
The fatal attack occurred at the family’s home in Bushey, a commuter town near Watford, northwest of London.
(With inputs from AFP)