Team of Ajay Devgn’s war-drama is recreating portions from 1971 war for the ongoing schedule with Nora Fatehi
Himesh Mankad (MUMBAI MIRROR; January 29, 2020)

Mirror was the first to report (January 4) that Nora Fatehi has come on-board the Ajay Devgn-fronted Bhuj: The Pride of India, which marks the directorial debut of Abhishek Dudhaiya. We have now learnt that the actress kicked off work on her portions in the war drama on January 12 in Bhopal, where the team has recreated Pakistan.

According to a source close to the development, Nora, who plays an Indian spy in the film, has been shooting for some pivotal sequences since a fortnight. “The scenes included high-octane action and chase set-pieces and a dance number. Her work in this schedule will wrap up on January 31,” the source informed, adding that a lot of detailing went into creating the 1970s era for the film. The makers roped in actors to play Pakistan army officers and brought in tanks and trucks to make the set-up realistic.

The Bhushan Kumar, Ginny Khanuja, Vajir Singh and Kumar Mangat Pathak production is set against the backdrop of the 1971 Indo-Pak war. Ajay’s lead role is modeled after Squadron Leader Vijay Karnik, who was in-charge of the Bhuj air base and was instrumental in keeping it operational despite heavy bombarding from Pakistan. Karnik is aided by Sonakshi Sinha’s social worker Sunderben, who helps him in the task.

In July, Ajay had shot for his introductory scene and the action-packed climax designed by National Award-winning action director Peter Hein. The Independence Day release also features Sanjay Dutt and Sharad Kelkar in pivotal roles. “Ajay is not a part of the Bhopal schedule. He is currently in Hyderabad, shooting for SS Rajamouli’s period-drama, RRR. He will resume work on Bhuj shortly and is expected to wrap it up in 15 days,” the source added.

Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; January 14, 2020)

It was recently reported that Rana Daggubati has stepped out of Abhishek Dudhaiya’s Bhuj: The Pride of India citing date and health issues. We have now learnt that Sharad Kelkar, who is receiving rave reviews for his portrayal of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in a recently released period-drama, has stepped in to play the part.

Confirming the news, Sharad shared that Abhishek and he have known each other since their struggling days. “Bhuj has a lot of action and since Rana might take a couple of months to recover, Abhishek offered me this part. I’d told him I’d love to be a part of his debut film. I have a good bond with Ajay (co-star Devgn) sir and Sanju (Sanjay Dutt) sir as well,” asserts Sharad.

Earlier, Sharad and Ajay had worked together in Milan Luthria’s 2017 action-thriller Baadshaho and before that, in 2008, in a TV show, Rock-N-Roll Family, as host and judge respectively. “At the time, I was offered an exclusive contract by another channel, who offered me more money, too. When I spoke to Ajay sir, he asked me to wait and promised we’d do something together. He’s always stood by me like an elder brother,” says Sharad, who plays an army officer in the Bhushan Kumar, Ginny Khanuja, Vajir Singh and Kumar Mangat production.

He reveals that as a boy he’d wanted to join the army. “At least I will get to wear a uniform now. I start shooting in a week. I practised judo for six years. That will come in handy now,” he signs off.

MUMBAI MIRROR (December 24, 2019)

Ihana Dhillon who debuted in Hindi cinema with Hate Story 4, will now be seen opposite Punjabi actor Ammy Virk in Bhuj: The Pride of India. The actress, who has done Punjabi films earlier, will show a completely different avatar in the magnum opus that is based on a true incident and is one of India’s most fascinating war-related stories.

Bhuj, starring Ajay Devgn, Sanjay Dutt, Sonakshi Sinha, Ammy Virk celebrates the courage of the 300 women of Madhapur in Gujarat, who played a pivotal part in India’s victory in the 1971 Indo-Pak war. It tells the story of how these women came together to repair the only runway in Bhuj that was destroyed during the war.

Devgn will be essaying the role of Squadron Leader Vijay Karnik, who was in charge of the Bhuj airport during the 1971 Indo-Pak war. It was Karnik and his team, with the help of the local women, who reconstructed the destroyed Indian Air Force airstrip at Bhuj in Gujarat, in what could be termed as India’s ‘Pearl Harbour’ moment.

Speaking about joining the force, Ihana Dhillon says, “My role as wife of an Air Force officer is strong and inspiring. This is the first time I am enacting such a role. It’s a beautiful, well written character and I really enjoyed shooting for it. My director Abhishek ji had a very clear vision of what he wanted and he portrayed Simran’s character very beautifully on screen. Every female character in the film is strong, independent. Being a part of Bhuj, I feel blessed as it’s a great script and great team. The courage shown by 300 women in 1971 in Bhuj is something we all are proud of and it is finally time to celebrate the victory of these women.”

Directed by Abhishek Dudhaiya, the film is produced by Bhushan Kumar, Divya Khosla Kumar, Krishan Kumar, Ginny Khanuja, Vajir Singh, Kumar Mangat Pathak and Abhishek Dudhaiya under the banners of T-Series and Select Media Holdings LLP, the film will release on August 14, 2020. 

Himesh Mankad (MUMBAI MIRROR; September 16, 2019)

Mirror was the first to report (July 24) that Ajay Devgn, who plays Squadron Leader Vijay Karnik in the upcoming war-drama Bhuj: The Pride of India, will shoot for his introductory scene and an action-packed climax in the Mandvi district of Gujarat. Now, we have learnt that Ajay was joined by TV actor Mahesh Shetty as his co-star during the Gujarat schedule.

“I play Ajay sir’s brother, Laxman Karnik, in the film. It’s a real-life story about two brothers stationed in Bhuj during the 1971 Indo-Pak war,” says Mahesh, describing the shoot as one of the most beautiful experiences of his acting career. “Working with Ajay sir is a tick mark off my bucket list,” he smiles.

The Gujarat schedule of this Abhishek Dudhaiya directorial, which also features Sonakshi Sinha, Sanjay Dutt, Parineeti Chopra and Rana Daggubati, kicked off on July 24 and concluded by mid-August. “We shot at real locations, including the airport in Mandvi. The whole war set-up for filming included as many as 700-800 extras and several aircraft from that era, which made it easier for me to act,” the actor shares.

The film is based on a true story with the 1971 Indo-Pak war as the backdrop. Devgn’s protagonist is inspired by the real-life Karnik, who was in-charge of the Bhuj airbase, which remained operational despite heavy bombings during the war. Mahesh informs that he had to do his share of research for the part. “The Bhuj airstrip is one of the most famous stories around the war, so of course, I was aware of it. But I had to do extensive homework to play Laxman convincingly. Knowing a lot of people in the air force came handy. Since the film is set in a different era, I met a lot of veterans from the force. Abhishek Dudhaiya was extremely well-prepared, which made work relatively easier,” the actor reveals.

A major chunk of his portions has already been shot. He bagged the film through several rounds of auditions. “Given the hard work that has gone into it, I expect the best,” he concludes with a smile. 

Bhuj - The Pride Of India, based on the 1971 Indo-Pak war and starring Ajay Devgn, Sanjay Dutt, Parineeti Chopra, Sonakshi Sinha, Rana Daggubati and Ammy Virk to kick off in Gujarat in October
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; May 30, 2019)

Director Abhishek Dudhaiya has pulled off a casting coup with Bhuj: The Pride Of India that features Ajay Devgn, Sanjay Dutt, Sonakshi Sinha, Parineeti Chopra, Rana Daggubati and Ammy Virk. mid-day has learnt that the recently announced multi-starrer — which is set against the backdrop of the 1971 Indo-Pakistan war — will roll in October with a 20-day schedule in the Gujarat town.

Virk says, "We start shooting from October. Ajay sir plays Indian Air Force's squadron leader Vijay Karnik and I am a fighter pilot who is part of his combat team. After the 20-day schedule in Bhuj, we will move to indoor shoots. However, before the first leg, we will have extensive workshops with the entire cast in September."

The drama revisits the real-life story of the Indian Air Force commander who organised 300 women around Bhuj village to create an airfield to help the IAF during the 1971 war. While Sinha plays Sunderben Jetha Madharparya, a social worker who convinced the local women to help rebuild the only runway in Bhuj that had been bombed by the Pakistani army, Chopra essays the role of undercover Indian agent in Lahore, Heena Rehman.

MUMBAI MIRROR (March 20, 2019)

Produced by Bhushan Kumar’s T-Series and Select Media Holdings LLP, the magnum opus Bhuj: The Pride Of India, is all set to go several notches higher with its magnificent ensemble cast.

Ajay Devgn leads the project, that brings a crucial real life incident from the history books to the big screen. And now several others are onboard. Sanjay Dutt’s commanding presence, Sonakshi Sinha’s allure, Rana Daggubati’s versatility and Parineeti Chopra’s vivacity along with Punjabi superstar Ammy Virk’s acting prowess, makes sure that Bhuj: The Pride of India will be a visual treat.

A civilian, Ranchordas Svabhai Ravari ‘Pagi’, who helped the Indian Army help win the war, is the character played by Sanjay Dutt. The actor is a pagi, one who can identify a person’s gender, height and weight by taking a look at only their footprints.

Sonakshi Sinha is known to be the actress who is fearless and this makes her perfect to essay the character of Sunderben Jetha Madharparya, a social worker and a farmer, who convinced the other 299 women from Madhapur to help build the runway.

South superstar Rana Daggubati plays the role of Madras regiment Lt Colonel who was posted in Vighakot chowki and fought the Indo-Pak war of 1971.

The role of the femme fatale Heena Rehman, an Indian spy based in Lahore, is played by the beauty with substance, Parineeti Chopra.

Ammy Virk, after establishing his stardom in Punjabi cinema, will become a part of the Hindi film industry with the role of a fighter pilot who played a very crucial role in this film that documents India’s victory.

The film celebrates the courage of 300 women of Madhapur in Gujarat, who played a pivotal part in India’s victory in the Indo-Pak war of 1971 by coming together to repair the only runway in Bhuj, which was destroyed during the war.

Written and directed by Abhishek Dudhaiya, the film will be produced by Bhushan Kumar, Krishan Kumar, Ginny Khanuja, Vajir Singh, Abhishek Dudhaiya and Kumar Mangat Pathak.