Actor Randeep Hooda, producer-actor Rahul Mittra join hands for film based on bestseller, Operation Khukri
More recently, while the film bigwigs rushed to register the title of Operation Sindoor, acclaimed actor Randeep Hooda and noted producer-actor Rahul Mittra went ahead and announced a film on the bestseller, Operation Khukri, written by Rajpal Punia and Damini Punia.
Mittra, however, is adamant that the timing of the announcement of the film has nothing to do with the current mood of the nation. Both he and Randeep are not trying to capitalise upon anything. As he puts it, “There is no strategy in place, except the fact that it is a compelling story, very significant part of military history.”
Like most Indians, he is very proud of the latest military offensive against the neigbouring nation. And, he has no hesitation in echoing the prevalent patriotic sentiment Jai Bharat, Jai Jawan and ‘nation is supreme’ or underscore India’s decisive victory against Pakistan.
In that sense, Operation Khukri too is an extraordinary story of valour of the Indian Army, which happened far away from home in Sierra Leone (West Africa). However, since it is set in 2000, a period when the current dispensation was not in power, there is no appeasing any particular political party. Published by Penguin Random House, the book which chronicles the tale of 233 soldiers of the Indian Army who were cordoned off for almost three months without food in the jungles of Africa, first caught the attention of Randeep. The two good friends and long-time collaborators decided to join hands for the first time as co-producers. Rahul shares,“Securing the rights of the book was a long process.” Having a book as source material is indeed a big advantage and the fact that the author and lead character of the film is alive and kicking can only be another big plus for any factual confusion or contradiction can easily be resolved.
Nevertheless, adapting a book that too a war drama is easier said than done. Of course, with Randeep essaying the role of the Major General (retd) Rajpal Punia (then a young Company Commander of the 14th Mechanised Infantry), who navigated the stand-off and subsequently the rescue amid jungle warfare, one can only expect yet another standout performance.
Rahul chuckles, “The fact that both Major-General (retd) Punia and Randeep are Jats is a happy coincidence.” But he insists, “Randeep a very fine actor. Still he has a huge responsibility to shoulder and very big shoes to fill, literally too, for Major General (retd) Punia is a very tall man.”
Indeed, when a hero tells his own story, there could be a danger of over-glorification. Rahul observes, “All the facts are well documented and we will be doing our own research too.”
Besides, Rahul promises that they will cut no corners and will take care of all painstaking details and stick to facts. Yet, he also reminds how at the end of the day it’s a film and not a documentary. Hence, it’s as much about human drama, unrelenting spirit of not just bravery but also brotherhood and endurance.
Besides as a maker, he has always been keen on character arcs. After all, more than anything else it’s the character, which stay with us the longest. Interestingly, his favourite Indian war film is Border, which he thoroughly enjoyed in his formative years. Since its lilting song ‘Sandeshe aate hain…’ is imprinted on his mind, would their film too have its fair share of song and dance.
“Well, modalities are being worked out and it’s too early to state anything, except that the journey has begun,” he avers. And they are optimistic that the film will not only resonate with Indians but audiences across the world. After all, ‘Bravery never goes out of fashion’. And though the movie will certainly be an ode to the exemplary courage of our soldiers, Rahul assures it will not be a reductionist retelling or empty sloganeering.
No starry tantrums
When a famous star (Randeep Hooda) is headlining the film and is a co-producer too, is there a likelihood of undue interference on his part dictating the tempo of the film? Rahul Mittra, who has worked with the likes of Amitabh Bachchan, Irrfan Khan, Saif Ali Khan and many more, dismisses such baseless aspersions. For, he has never faced any starry tantrums. Moreover, he adds, “Randeep with whom I have an association since the Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster days is a thorough professional. Both he and I are mature people and such trivialities are unlikely to hamper the creative process of our filmmaking.”
A heroic chapter
Operation Khukri was a successful multi-national rescue mission involving India, Ghana, Britain and Nigeria with majority of the forces made up of Indian Army units. In July 2000, when India was part of the UN peace keeping mission in civil strife torn Sierra Leone, West Africa, the Revolutionary United Front rebels held 233 soldiers of the Indian Army hostage in the remote town of Kailahun. The crisis lasted for 75 days and finally after diplomatic efforts failed, a daring rescue operation led by the Indian Army was launched. In a multi-pronged assault the rebels were overpowered and all the soldiers held captive were saved.
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