Ajay Devgn is set to play the real-life wing commander Vijay Karnik in the upcoming film Bhuj The Pride of India. The actor has previously acted as real-life personalities like Bhagat Singh and Haji Mastan in his films.
The movie, directed by debutant Abhishek Dudhaiya, is about squadron leader Vijay Karnik, who was in charge of the Bhuj airbase in Gujarat during the Indo-Pak war of 1971. Karnik, along with 50 air force and 60 DSC personnel, survived bombing from Pakistan to keep the Bhuj airbase operational during the war.
Collaborating with @ajaydevgn once again, for #BhujThePrideOfIndia, based on Squadron Leader Vijay Karnik. The film will be directed by #AbhishekDudhaiya @TSeries #KrishanKumar #SelectMediaHoldingsLLP #GinnyKhanuja @vajir
— Bhushan Kumar (@itsBhushanKumar) March 19, 2019
Talking about the film, producer Bhushan Kumar said in an IE report: “This courageous tale needs to be told because we want the current and the coming generation to know about this brave soldier, Vijay Karnik, who played a significant role in India’s victory in the 1971 war. He was heroic enough to involve civilians (to help IAF). Also, who better than Ajay Devgn for the role of Vijay Karnik? We are working with him currently in De De Pyaar De and Taanaji, and we are glad that he is on board for this film too.”
Vijay Karnik expressed his happiness at Devgn essaying him in the movie. He also recounted his experience from the battlefield. “We were fighting a war and if there had been any casualties of any of the women (who helped reconstruct the IAF airstrip), it would have been a great loss. But I took the decision and it worked out. I had briefed them where they could take shelter if attacked and they followed it bravely. Also, I can only see Ajay Devgn essaying my character, and I’m glad that he’s on board.” The actor’s latest release, Total Dhamaal, was a success at the box office.
1971. Squadron Leader Vijay Karnik & team. 300 Brave Women. Reconstruction of a wrecked Indian Air Force airstrip. 'Bhuj- The Pride Of India' pic.twitter.com/HZYxPOn0Du
— Ajay Devgn (@ajaydevgn) March 19, 2019
It has been three weeks since detained IAF wing commander Abhinandan Varthaman was released by Pakistan’s officials. Bollywood producers reportedly queued up to register movie titles like Pulwama and Abhinandan, to make a film based on the Pulwama attacks. This has been viewed as a move by the producers to cash in on the success of films like Uri: The Surgical Strike.
