Border - 1997

Introduction

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Border is a 1997 Indian Hindi-language war film directed by J. P. Dutta and starring an ensemble cast including Sunny Deol, Sunil Shetty, Akshaye Khanna, and Jackie Shroff. The film is based on the Battle of Longewala during the Indo-Pakistan War of 1971 and follows a small detachment of Indian soldiers who defend their country against a much larger Pakistani military force.

The film opens with the Indian Army conducting a routine patrol along the India-Pakistan border in the Rajasthan desert. Suddenly, the soldiers come under attack from the Pakistan Army and are forced to take refuge in a nearby village. With no support from higher command, the small unit of soldiers, led by Major Kuldeep Singh Chandpuri (played by Sunny Deol), must hold their ground against the enemy and wait for reinforcements to arrive.

Border showcases the bravery and sacrifices of the Indian soldiers as they stand their ground against the enemy, despite being heavily outnumbered. Major Chandpuri, who is initially skeptical about his ability to lead the soldiers, rises to the occasion and shows great courage and leadership skills. The film also highlights the strong bond that develops between the soldiers as they work together to defend their country.

The cinematography of Border is top-notch and captures the harsh desert landscapes and intense battle scenes with stunning detail. The film’s music, composed by Anu Malik, adds to the drama and provides an emotional backdrop to the story. The film’s soundtrack includes popular songs like Sandese Aate Hai and Mere Dushman Mere Bhai, which have become cultural favorites and are still widely recognized today.

Border received widespread critical acclaim upon its release and was a commercial success. It won several awards, including the Filmfare Award for Best Director. The film was also nominated for several other awards, including the Screen Award for Best Film and the Zee Cine Awards for Best Cinematography.

Border remains one of the most memorable war films in Indian cinema and is often considered a classic. The film’s powerful message of patriotism, bravery, and self-sacrifice has touched the hearts of audiences across India and continues to inspire generations of movie-goers. Its success has also established J. P. Dutta as one of the most renowned filmmakers in the Indian film industry. 

Table of Contents

• Details

• Plot

• Release

• Reviews

• Casting 

• Crew

• Character Analysis

• Songs

• Behind the Scenes 

• Box Office Collection

• Awards

• Interesting Facts

• How to Book Personalised Celebrity Video Message on Tring?

Details

Plot

The film begins prior to the declaration of the 1971 Indo-Pakistani War. Indian Air Force Wing Commander Andy Bajwa (Jackie Shroff) and his air force wingmen take off from an FOA (forward operational airbase) to an unnamed airbase in Rajasthan. When Andy Bajwa arrives, his commanders inform him that he and his squadron have been assigned to the Jaisalmer sector and will be flying Hawker Hunter Ground attack planes to support the Indian Army. He is soon joined by his army brother-in-arms Major Kuldip Singh Chandpuri (Sunny Deol), on a courier flight, where they discuss the possibility of opening the Western front in light of the East Pakistan conflict. Kuldip takes command of a company of 120 soldiers from the 23rd Battalion Punjab Regiment, arguing about the light defense entrusted to the military post of Longewala. He meets his second-in-command, 2nd Lieutenant Dharamvir Singh Bhan (Akshaye Khanna), the son of Sudesh Berry, combatant from the 1965 Indo-Pakistani War who died in that battle and the Company JCO Naib Subedar Mathura Das. The company decides to move to a secret facility in Rajasthan's deserts and starts to upgrade the basic Border Security Force (BSF) post. It also starts to observe the region up until the country's border with Pakistan. They meet the fiercely patriotic Captain Bhairon Singh (Sunil Shetty), company commander of the BSF Assistant Commandant, who talks about how much he adores the desert.

Kuldip, Dharamvir, and Bhairon come across a suspicious group of locals while out on a night patrol; they later learn that the group of people is made up of rebels who have revealed their identities to the Pakistani military. All but one of the rebels are eventually put to death by Kuldip and Bhairon, but Dharamvir holds off on shooting the last survivor because he has never put an enemy to death in battle. Dharamvir starts to throw up after Kuldip severely mocks him and shoots the rebel himself. Bhairon comforts a distraught Dharamvir as they remember their past selves.

Dharamvir describes how he first met Kamla (Pooja Bhatt), the vibrant girl from his hometown with whom he fell in love, and how he received his orders on the day that he was to marry Kamla. Bhairon remembers his first night with his bride, Phool Kanwar (Sharbani Mukherjee), and how he was called back to duty, forcing him to bid his bride a tearful farewell.

Subedar Ratan Singh (Puneet Issar) has joined the unit and provided two 106mm Jonga-mounted RCL guns to serve as an anti-armor unit. Dharamvir sets out to investigate after the company wireless operator picks up a spy transmitting from a neighbouring place. In preparation for an assault should Pakistan attempt to open the Western front, the Indian army begins deploying troops to nearby locations. For the men tired of the lengthy wait in the hot and desolate desert, this offers hope of upcoming action. The men exchange letters containing news from their families and talk about the loved ones they left behind when they enlisted in the military. Das is given leave to care for his sick wife and young children.

The unit receives word on the evening of December 3, 1971, that the Pakistan Air Force has bombed multiple Indian airbases and that war has been declared by Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. Kuldip orders Dharamvir and five soldiers to patrol a part of the border while Bhairon and his men clear out the nearby villages to keep civilians safe. The Pakistani artillery batteries began shelling the post and a nearby village the next day. As the shelling intensifies, Kuldip joins the evacuation. The Pakistani military hired the notorious Lahore thug Ghulam Dastagir to lead the attack, and Dharamvir and his patrol observe Pakistani infantry and tanks (Chinese Type 59s) crossing the border into India. Dharamvir informs Kuldip that he believes the shelling strikes were merely a distraction meant to hide the impending invasion. Kuldip then gives him and his patrol the order to follow the tanks quietly without engaging them. Das returns and apologises for deserting the men, promising to return to his family after the war, and Kuldip gladly assigns him to one of the anti-tank gun jeeps.

Kuldip calls Bajwa on the radio for air help, but the Bajwa regrettably informs him that there will be none available because his base only has Hawker Hunter Ground planes, which cannot be used for night combat. Bajwa apologises and instructs Kuldip to hold the post for as long as possible while announcing that he and his pilots will be on the battlefield at first light. Kuldip radios his CO in a state of hopelessness and describes his difficult position. While the CO tells Kuldip to retreat, he offers him the power to choose whether to stay in his position or leave. Kuldip chooses to continue defending the post and provides the group the option of leaving or staying, and they all choose to stay alongside him and confront the Pakistani soldiers.

Due to Kuldip's order for his men to bury anti-tank mines around the post earlier to stop the tanks from barging in, one of the Pakistani tanks blows up as Dastagir and his men finally approach Longewala. Dastagir commands the Pakistani tanks to strike the post, and Kuldip responds by commanding Das to use his Jonga-RCL units to take out several tanks. Even though the Indians are initially winning the battle, a tank shell hits Das's jeep, wounding him and forcing Bhairon to rescue him from the wrecked car. When Das attempts to remove a recoil spring from Bhairon's MMG, he is fatally wounded and passes away in Bhairon's hands. To save some of his men from being killed, Ratan gives his life by stopping an exploding tank shell. Bhairon is wounded after another tank destroys his machine gun nest. He sacrifices himself by charging in with his remaining energy and destroying the tank by detonating another anti-tank mine. While attempting to escape the enemy cordon and return to the post, Dharamvir's entire squad is wiped out. Dastagir then gives the order to launch a bayonet charge on the Indian position, but the Indians block the attempt, but Pakistani soldiers shoot Dharamvir to death. The wounded Pakistani soldier is then captured by Kuldip, who learns that Dastagir intends to take over India by invading Jaisalmer in the morning, Jodhpur in the afternoon, and Delhi at night.

As sunrise approaches, Dastagir gives the order to his enemy troops to launch another last assault on Longewala using infantry and tanks in large numbers, disregarding the risk posed by anti-tank mines. Kuldip gathers his remaining exhausted soldiers as they prepare for a suicide counterattack after arming himself with an anti-tank rocket launcher and a bag full of grenades. Dastagir and many of his men are killed when Kuldip and his men manage to take out several tanks. As Bajwa and his squadron take off in their aircraft to support Kuldip and his men and destroy more Pakistani tanks in the process, dawn has just broken. As Bajwa and his troop depart in their aircraft to support Kuldip and his men, the dawn has just broken, and they have already destroyed more Pakistani tanks. In the last scene, Kuldip surveys the battlefield as the Indian force launches their counteroffensive against the Pakistani military as the news of the soldiers' deaths reaches their homes, adding to their families' grief.

Release

Border was released on 13 June 1997. Directed by J.P. Dutta, the film starred Sunny Deol, Sunil Shetty, Jackie Shroff, and Akshaye Khanna in lead roles. The film was based on the 1971 Indo-Pak war and was critically acclaimed for its portrayal of the war and the brave soldiers who fought in it. The film was a commercial success and was appreciated for its powerful direction, realistic war scenes, and the performances of the actors.

Reviews

The film was a critical and commercial success upon its release and has since become a cult classic in Indian cinema. Critics have praised Border for its powerful portrayal of the 1971 Indo-Pakistan war and its focus on the bravery and sacrifices of Indian soldiers. The film's cinematography set design and music have also been widely acclaimed, with many reviewers calling the film a visual masterpiece. The film's intense action sequences, particularly the Battle of Longewala, are considered some of the best in Indian cinema and have been praised for their realism and attention to detail.

In addition to its technical achievements, Border has also been praised for its strong performances from its talented cast. Sunny Deol, Jackie Shroff, and Sunil Shetty have been singled out for their powerful portrayals of Indian soldiers, and their performances have been hailed as some of the best of their careers. The film's cast also includes several talented actors in supporting roles, including Akshaye Khanna, who made his acting debut in Border, and Pooja Bhatt, who gave a memorable performance as a war correspondent.

Despite its critical success, Border has also faced some criticism from some quarters. Some reviewers have accused the film of being overly patriotic and propagandistic and of glossing over the more complex aspects of the Indo-Pakistan conflict. Others have criticized the film for its portrayal of Pakistan and its soldiers, arguing that it perpetuates negative stereotypes and reinforces divisive attitudes.

Border remains a classic of Indian cinema and is widely regarded as one of the best war films to come out of the country.

Casting 

• Sunny Deol: Major Kuldip Singh Chandpuri, MVC.

• Jackie Shroff: Andy Bajwa, Wing Commander.

• Suniel Shetty: Captain Bhairon Singh, Assistant Commandant, BSF.

• Akshaye Khanna: Dharamvir Singh Bhan, 2nd Lieutenant.

• Puneet Issar: Subedar Ratan Singh.

• Sudesh Berry: Naib Subedar Mathura Das.

• Kulbhushan Kharbanda: Cook Havildar Bhagiram.

• Rakhee Gulzar: Sujatha Devi, Dharamvir's mother.

• Pooja Bhatt: Kamla Sodhi, Dharamvir's fiancée.

• Tabu: Yamora Kaur Chandpuri, Kuldeep's wife.

• Sharbani Mukherjee: Phool Kanwar, Bhairon's wife.

• Amrit Pal: Kamalnath Sodhi.

• Hemant Choudhary: P.D. Somesh Uttam.

• Sapna Bedi: Roopali.

• Sanjeev Dabholkar: a Pakistani soldier.

Crew

Border is directed by J. P. Dutta. It follows the lives of soldiers fighting in the Indo-Pakistan War of 1971. J. P. Dutta is a well-known film director, producer, and screenwriter in India who has directed and produced a number of critically acclaimed and commercially successful films. Dutta has won several awards for his work, including a Filmfare Award for Best Director and National Film Award for Best Feature Film on National Integration.

The music for Border was composed by Anu Malik, a highly successful Indian music composer and singer. Malik has composed music for a lot of popular Bollywood movies and is known for his versatility in creating music for different genres of films. The music of Border was well-received by audiences and critics alike and won several awards, including the Filmfare Award for Best Music Direction.

The screenplay for Border was also written by J. P. Dutta. The screenplay is written with great attention to detail and showcases the various aspects of war and its impact on soldiers and their families.

Border was produced by J. P. Dutta Films, the production company founded by J. P. Dutta. The film was produced on a large scale and featured an ensemble cast of well-known Indian actors The film was highly anticipated by audiences and went on to become one of the biggest box-office hits of 1997.

The cinematography for Border was handled by Ishwar R. Bidri and Nirmal Jani. The cinematography in Border is a standout aspect of the film and captures the intensity and beauty of war with great detail.

Character Analysis

Kuldip Singh Chandpuri (Sunny Deol)

Sunny Deol’s character is based on the real Major Kuldip Singh Chandpuri, an Indian Army officer who was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra (MVC) for his exceptional bravery during the Battle of Longewala in the Indo-Pakistan War of 1971. His fearless actions inspired his men and earned him widespread recognition for his bravery and patriotism. Today, Major Chandpuri continues to be remembered as a symbol of valor and selflessness in the Indian armed forces.

Andy Bajwa (Jackie Shroff)

Played by Jackie Shroff, Wing Commander Andy Bajwa is a character from the 1997 Bollywood film, Border. Bajwa is admired for his bravery and unwavering commitment to his duty. He is a true leader and inspiration to his men. His character is an important representation of the sacrifices made by soldiers in service of their country.

Bhairon Singh (Suniel Shetty)

Suniel Shetty’s character is based on the Assistant Commandant Captain Bhairon Singh was a highly respected officer in the Border Security Force (BSF) from 1997. In the movie, he is known for his dedication, bravery, integrity, and commitment to securing the border. He continues to be remembered as an inspiration to all those who served with him and a symbol of courage and selflessness.

Dharamvir Singh Bhan (Akshay Khanna)

Akshay Khanna gave a powerful performance as a soldier fighting for his country during the 1971 Indo-Pakistan War. Khanna's portrayal of a soldier torn between duty and love won the hearts of audiences and cemented his place as one of Bollywood's leading actors. His role in Border was praised for its emotional depth and authenticity.

Subedar Ratan Singh (Puneet Issar)

Puneet Issar played the role of Subedar Ratan Singh in the 1997 war film Border. His portrayal of the unyielding soldier was well-received by audiences and critics alike. Issar's performance added depth to the film and helped to reinforce its themes of sacrifice, duty, and bravery in the face of adversity. He was an integral part of the film's success, making Border a memorable and iconic war film.

Kamla Sodhi (Pooja Bhatt)

Pooja Bhatt gave a remarkable performance as the love interest of Dharamvir's fiancée in the 1997 war-drama movie Border. Her portrayal of a proud and patriotic woman who sacrifices her personal happiness for the nation was highly appreciated. Pooja's emotional scenes and powerful dialogues in the film made a lasting impact on the audience. With her strong screen presence and captivating performance, she left a lasting impact on the minds of movie-goers.

Yamora Kaur Chandpuri (Tabu)

Tabu, an acclaimed Indian actress, played the role of Kuldeep's wife. Tabu's emotional and raw performance in the film was one of the highlights and contributed to its massive success. She proved her versatility as an actress and established herself as a leading lady in Bollywood. 

Songs

Behind the Scenes 

The production of Border was a huge undertaking that required meticulous planning and execution. The film's director, J.P. Dutta, was known for his realistic depictions of war and military operations, and Border was no exception. Dutta spent months researching the Battle of Longewala to ensure the authenticity of the film.

Most of the film's shoot took place in the deserts of Rajasthan, India, which provided the perfect backdrop for the film's war scenes. The crew consisted of hundreds of extras who were trained in military drills and tactics to bring authenticity to the battle scenes.

Box Office Collection

Border was a massive hit at the box office. Box Office India declared it an all-time blockbuster after it premiered to impressive box office figures, with a final domestic net total of ₹394 Million. It was also the highest-grossing Hindi film in India in 1997, but it was the second highest-grossing film of the year internationally, following only Dil To Pagal Hai. Border made ₹655.7 Million worldwide, making it the fourth largest movie of the 90s.

Awards

Awards	Category	Recipient(s)	Result
Filmfare Awards	Best Film	Border – J. P. Dutta	Nominated
Filmfare Awards	Best Director	J. P. Dutta	Won
Filmfare Awards	Best Actor	Sunny Deol	Nominated
Filmfare Awards	Best Male Debut	Akshaye Khanna	Won
Filmfare Awards	Best Supporting Actor	Akshaye Khanna	Nominated
Filmfare Awards	Best Supporting Actor	Suniel Shetty	Nominated
Filmfare Awards	Best Supporting Actress	Rakhee Gulzar	Nominated
Filmfare Awards	Best Music Director	Anu Malik	Nominated
Filmfare Awards	Best Lyricist	Javed Akhtar (Sandese Aate Hai)	Won
Filmfare Awards	Best Male Playback Singer	Sonu Nigam and Roopkumar Rathod (Sandese Aate Hai)	Nominated
Filmfare Awards	Best Action	Bhiku Verma and Tinnu Verma	Won
National Film Awards	Best Feature Film on National Integration	J. P. Dutta (Director and Producer)	Won
National Film Awards	Best Lyricist	Javed Akhtar (Sandese Aate Hai)	Won
National Film Awards	Best Male Playback Singer	Hariharan (Mere Dushman Mere Bhai)	Won
Screen Awards	Best Film	J. P. Dutta	Won
Screen Awards	Best Director	J. P. Dutta	Won
Screen Awards	Best Story	J. P. Dutta	Nominated
Screen Awards	Best Screenplay	J. P. Dutta	Won
Screen Awards	Best Dialogue	O. P. Dutta	Nominated
Screen Awards	Best Music Director	Anu Malik	Nominated
Screen Awards	Best Background Music	Aadesh Shrivastava	Won
Screen Awards	Best Lyricist	Javed Akhtar (Sandese Aate Hai)	Won
Screen Awards	Best Male Playback Singer	Sonu Nigam and Roopkumar Rathod (Sandese Aate Hai)	Nominated
Screen Awards	Best Action	Bhiku Verma and Tinnu Verma	Won
Screen Awards	Best Re-recording	Suresh Kathena	Won
Zee Cine Awards	Best Film	J. P. Dutta	Nominated
Zee Cine Awards	Best Director	J. P. Dutta	Won
Zee Cine Awards	Best Story	J. P. Dutta	Won
Zee Cine Awards	Best Screenplay	J. P. Dutta	Nominated
Zee Cine Awards	Best Dialogue	O. P. Dutta	Nominated
Zee Cine Awards	Best Actor – Male	Sunny Deol	Nominated
Zee Cine Awards	Best Actor in a Supporting Role – Male	Akshaye Khanna	Won
Zee Cine Awards	Best Actor in a Supporting Role – Male	Suniel Shetty	Nominated
Zee Cine Awards	Best Male Debut	Rajiv Goswami	Nominated
Zee Cine Awards	Best Female Debut	Sapna Bedi	Nominated
Zee Cine Awards	Best Female Debut	Sharbani Mukherjee	Nominated
Zee Cine Awards	Best Music Director	Anu Malik	Nominated
Zee Cine Awards	Best Background Score	Aadesh Shrivastava	Nominated
Zee Cine Awards	Best Lyricist	Javed Akhtar (Sandese Aate Hai)	Won
Zee Cine Awards	Best Playback Singer – Male	Sonu Nigam (Sandese Aate Hai)	Won
Zee Cine Awards	Best Cinematography	Ishwar Bidri	Nominated
Zee Cine Awards	Best Editing	Deepak Wirkud and Vilas Ranade	Won
Zee Cine Awards	Best Song Recording	Satish Gupta	Won
Zee Cine Awards	Best Make-up Artist	Subodh H. Shelke	Nominated

Interesting Facts

• The film is based on the real-life events of the Indo-Pakistan War of 1971.
• The film was shot in real locations along the India-Pakistan border, including the deserts of Rajasthan.
• The film won several awards, including three National Film Awards and four Filmfare Awards.

Conclusion 

Border is a must-watch for anyone who loves war films or is interested in India’s military history. The film’s compelling story, intense battle scenes, and inspiring message make it a timeless classic and a true testament to the bravery and sacrifices of India’s soldiers.

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