Kargil Vijay Diwas: 5 Bollywood films inspired by Indo-Pak War of 1999

Kargil Vijay Diwas is celebrated on July 26 every year to commemorate India's victory over Pakistani intruders in the 1999 Kargil War. The war was fought for over 60 days from May 3 to July 26, 1999, after the Pakistani Army illegally occupied Indian land at the Line of Control (LOC) in Kargil. This year marks the 24th year anniversary of the Kargil War. 

Since the war, Bollywood too has been paying tribute to the valiant soldiers who made their supreme sacrifice for this country through many films. Below we have listed five Bollywood films based on the Kargil War of 1999: 

LOC: Kargil

LOC: Kargil focuses on the Kargil War from its inception to its conclusion. Directed by J.P. Dutta of ‘Border’ fame, the film stars Sanjay Dutt, Ajay Devgn, Abhishek Bachchan, Nagarjuna, Ashutosh Rana, Saif Ali Khan, Raveena Tandon, and Rani Mukerji, Esha Deol and Mahima Chaudhry in the key roles. 

Where you can watch: Amazon Prime Video, YouTube

Lakshya

Hrithik Roshan starrer Lakshya follows the life of an aimless young boy who joins the Army and is gearing up to fight the Kargil War. Directed by Farhan Akhtar, the film also stars Amitabh Bachchan, Preity Zinta, Boman Irani and Om Puri, among others.

Where you can watch:  Netflix, Amazon Prime Video

Dhoop 

It is based on the life and family of one of the soldiers of the Indian Army, Capt Anuj Nayyar who led the combat and sacrificed his life in the war while defending Kargil’s Tiger Hill from the Pakistani military. Directed by Ashwini Chaudhary, Dhoop deals with the aftermath of Nayar’s death and shows the harassment suffered by his parents (Om Puri, Revathy) at the hands of government officials and goons while trying to rebuild their broken lives. 

Where you can watch: Amazon Prime Video

Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl

The film was based on the life of former air force pilot Gunjan Saxena, who played an important role in the Kargil War. She was the first Indian female Air Force pilot to fight a war. The biopic stars Jahnvi Kapoor as Gunjan Saxena alongside Angad Bedi and Pankaj Tripathi in pivotal roles. 

Where you can watch: Netflix

Shershaah

The biopic brought forward the untold story of Captain Vikram Batra (Sidharth Malhotra) who made the supreme sacrifice in 1999 after re-capturing point 4875 in Kargil from Pakistani troops. The film also gives a sneak peek into the captain's personal life and his relationship with Dimple Cheema portrayed by Kiara Advani.

Where you can watch: Amazon Prime Video