Director Onir to helm SonyLIV series Pulwama Key No 1026

SonyLIV has announced the title of its series that is based on the dreaded Pulawama attacks of 2019. Helmed by Onir, who will direct and be the showrunner of the series, Pulwama Key No 1026 will tell the story of the incident, which claimed the lives of 40 Indian soldiers. 

A press note from the platform read, "To pay homage to the brave hearts and the NIA [National Investigation Agency] team who painstakingly investigated the attack, SonyLIV brings the never-seen-before story with Pulwama Key No 1026, helmed by National award-winning director Onir. The eight-episodic series is based on award-winning author and journalist Rahul Pandita's book The Lover Boy of Bahawalpur. The series is a tribute to all those martyrs whose dreams were blown to smithereens the minute the suicide bomber's car hit the bus."

The title refers to the key whose discovery led to a significant breakthrough in the investigation. Ashish Golwalkar, head of content, SonyLIV, said, "Since its revamp last year, SonyLIV’s constant endeavour has been to highlight stories of India that have global relevance. Pulwama Key No 1026 brings an authentic narrative of a gruesome terror attack. Rahul Pandita's book The Lover Boy of Bahawalpur is a noteworthy read and brings out the unknown facts about the incident and what ensued thereon. We are pleased to announce this project that’s backed by Onir, an amazing director."

Describing the series, Pandita said, "As a journalist reporting from conflict areas, my endeavour always has been to lend a face to people who otherwise get buried in history as statistics. The soldiers killed in the Pulwama attack had names, lives, dreams, hopes for the future. So do those who investigated the case painstakingly, often putting themselves in danger. I am glad that with my friend Onir we will be able to tell these individual stories all weaved in one epic drama."

Onir, who is also working on the film We Are, said of the new series, "The Pulwama terror attack did not just claim the lives of 40 CRPF Jawans, it broke India and its people. 40 is not just a number, but the living dreams of these brave men and their families blown apart. A riveting, emotional tale of an incident that left the entire nation devastated, Pulwama Key No 1026 is the story about the men and women who worked tirelessly to find the truth. It’s a story every Indian should know, and I feel honoured to helm this project along with writer Rahul Pandita."

The cast and release date of the series are yet to be finalised.