Sanjay Leela Bhansali, T-Series to produce film on Balakot airstrike, directed by Abhishek Kapoor

After Uri: The Surgical Strike (2019), another recent Indian military event is being recreated for the big screen. Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Bhushan Kumar, Mahaveer Jain and Pragya Kapoor are coming together to produce a film on the Balakot airstrike in February. Abhishek Kapoor will be writing and directing the film.

The announcement was made earlier today by the co-producers of the project.

The film will detail the pre-emptive strike conducted earlier this year when Indian military planes crossed the border to take out a terrorist camp in Pakistan, after which Pakistan shot down an Indian fighter plane and captured Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman. He later returned home safely after two days.

Producer Sanjay Leela Bhansali said in a statement, "It is a story of bravery, patriotism and love for the country. This film is my way of giving tribute to the heroes who have made India their priority. We endeavour that their story and bravery reaches everyone in the right way."

Bhushan Kumar shared his enthusiasm for the project, one of the biggest for his company T-Series, and stated , "I have always been a patriot and it gives me immense pleasure to present the story of bravado of our IAF [Indian air force] officers. Wing Commander Abhinandan is a national hero and the Balakot airstrike 2019 happens to be an event of immense pride for the entire nation. There are some stories in the history of India that need to be retold. This is one of them."

Kapoor said he was honoured to be entrusted with the story: "I remember the emotions that ran through the entire country when the strike was carried out. I am determined to do justice to this story in my endeavour to bring it to the silver screen."

Co-producer Mahaveer Jain said the film was being planned for a pan-India release in multiple languages and a top cast from the industry would be announced soon.