Sarbjit makers return with a film on a real-life story from the 1971 India-Pakistan face-off
Natasha Coutinho (MUMBAI MIRROR; January 17, 2017)

Sandeep Singh and Omung Kumar, the Sarbjit filmmaker duo, are gearing up to produce a film inspired by a real life incident in the coming months titled Runway. Casting is in progress.

The film flashbacks to the 1971 war when Pakistan destroyed all of India’s army bases and runways in just seven hours. There were no runways left for the Indian fighter jets to counter attack. Madhapar, a village, near Kutch, was evacuated after it was learnt that Pakistan was planning to infiltrate through land in 72 hours time.

All the men from the village were running for their lives, but one girl stood firm, refusing to abandon her land and home and leave the army handicapped. This young girl, Kundan Khatri, joined hands with nine other women, the oldest being 68 and a mentally challenged 12-year-boy. Together, they decided to make a runway with cow dung and local waste.

Once word spread of her mission, Kundan managed to rope in another 300 women. And within 72 hours, they had made an runway for army planes to took off. India went on to win the war which lead to the formation of Bangladesh.

Sandeep confirmed the news, saying, “Yes, Runway is based on the 1971 war and the courage of a lone woman who with her decision inspired several others saved India by creating this all-important runway. It’s an inspiring story and we begin shooting after the monsoon and will release the film in 2018.”

He goes on to add that they have visited Kundan’s village and met people there who knew her. “The village still worships her for her bravery. Our script is locked and we should finalise the cast in a month’s time,” Sandeep concludes.