Indian cinema has a long history of producing war dramas that depict the heroic sacrifices and struggles of the country’s armed forces. While some films have successfully captured the essence of these historical events, others have fallen short, distorting the true valor and reality associated with these critical moments in Indian history. In this article, we will delve into seven of the most inaccurate Indian war dramas, irrespective of format, that failed to do justice to the real stories they aimed to portray:
Border [1997]:
“Border,” directed by J.P. Dutta, attempts to depict the Battle of Longewala during the 1971 India-Pakistan War. While it is an emotionally charged film with memorable songs and performances, it inaccurately portrays the battle’s key events, tactics, and outcomes. The film’s exaggerations and dramatization diminish the actual heroics of the soldiers who defended the border. Contrary to multiple casualties, just 2 Indian soldiers out of the 120 plus Indian soldiers posted at the front were martyred in the entire duration.
Also read: 7 Most inaccurate historical movies of all time
LOC Kargil [2004]:
J.P. Dutta’s “LOC Kargil” is another war drama that falters in its portrayal of the Kargil conflict of 1999. The film’s length and the abundance of characters make it difficult for viewers to grasp the real story. Moreover, it oversimplifies the complex military operations and sacrifices made by the soldiers, ultimately undermining their true valor.
Tango Charlie [2004]:
Mani Shankar’s “Tango Charlie” revolves around the experiences of a soldier in counter-insurgency operations. While it provides a glimpse into the challenging lives of Indian paramilitary forces, it exaggerates certain aspects of the story for cinematic appeal, leading to a less authentic representation of their sacrifices.
Tubelight [2017]:
This was the beginning of the downfall of Kabir Khan. Once known for movies like “New York”, “Ek tha Tiger”, “Bajrangi Bhaijaan”, Kabir Khan came up with “Tubelight”, with the 1962 Indo China War in the backdrop. In a bid to not offend the Chinese community, the movie became a total mess, serving no purpose at all.
Paltan [2018]:
J.P. Dutta’s “Paltan” explores the 1967 Nathu La and Cho La clashes between Indian and Chinese troops. While the film attempts to depict the skirmishes, it leans heavily on Bollywood-style drama and stereotypes, thus diminishing the true historical significance and bravery of the soldiers involved. It was a golden opportunity, that was brutally wasted by JP Dutta!
The Forgotten Army: Azaadi ke Liye [2020]:
Normally, OTT, especially in the Indian sector, has stayed away from depicting wars. As such, Kabir Khan decided to bring his once famous documentary, “The Forgotten Army” to life. However, the web series was less of a compelling war drama, and more focused on just one love story. Imagine, talking about Azad Hind Fauj and their sacrifices, with Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose relegated to just a blink and miss appearance! But that’s Kabir Khan for you!
Also read: 7 Most accurate historical movies in Indian cinema: A breath of fresh air
1962: The War in the Hills [2021]:
If you thought “The Forgotten Army” was cringe, wait till you see this. You wouldn’t believe that this confusion fest was directed, of all people, by Mahesh Manjrekar, a force to reckon with in both Marathi and Indian cinema. This was based on the Battle of Rezang La, with Abhay Deol in the lead role. However, the web series was anything but honest in its portrayal.
While Indian war dramas have the potential to honor the sacrifices and valor of the armed forces, some of them have missed the mark by distorting historical events and overshadowing the collective efforts of soldiers with unnecessary drama and inaccuracies. It is essential for filmmakers to strike a balance between entertainment and historical accuracy to ensure that these stories are portrayed with the respect and reverence they deserve. True valor and reality should never be sacrificed for cinematic appeal.
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