Everyone knows Bollywood loves a good action film. Emotional gun sequences that leave you wiping away a tear and heroes saving the day with a single, intense stare. Bollywood has definitely gotten its fair share of action dramas. What about war films? Bollywood has been generous to war stories too. Think Border (1997), LOC Kargil (2003), and Uri: The Surgical Strike (2019). These films have done wonders for showing off the heroism of India’s soldiers. But here’s the thing: Where, in the name of all things cinematic, is the Bollywood film about the 1965 Indo-Pak War? You know, that war which might not have resulted in fireworks or a new country like the 1971 war, but it was still super important. This film isn’t just overdue; it’s basically a history lesson waiting to be shown on screen, without the usual drama of “who won, who lost” hanging over it. We need something that tells it like it is, history, pure and unadulterated.
First things first, let’s give a quick refresher on the 1965 Indo-Pak War for those of us who might have forgotten. The War was a bunch of tanks, air raids, and drama that unfolded over just 17 days. Uh huh, you read that right,17 days. The 1965 war was a dramatic and a very tense clash between India and Pakistan over the Kashmir region. After 17 days of intense fighting, with thousands of lives lost on both sides and no clear winner in sight, international pressure forced a ceasefire. It didn’t end in a grand victory or defeat for either side, which makes it an uncomfortable middle child in the war movie family. No clear “heroes” or “villains” here. Just a bunch of soldiers fighting for territory, some serious military strategy , and countless families who lost loved ones.
While the 1965 war didn’t lead to major territorial changes, it left a lasting impact on both nations. It showed the world that India and Pakistan were locked in a deeply rooted conflict over Kashmir, one that couldn’t be solved with a few round table talks or handshakes. The war also marked the first time that tanks and airpower were used on such a large scale in South Asia, setting the stage for future conflicts.
And yet, despite its significance, this war remains the “forgotten sibling” in the Bollywood war film lineup.
So why hasn’t Bollywood picked this up yet? Good question! The filmmakers have instead clung to the 1971 war and the Kargil War, which was fresh in the memory thanks to its intense media coverage. Both of these wars were explosive, with clear “good guys vs. bad guys” plots, making them much easier to build an emotionally charged film around.
Border (1997) is practically the war film equal to an anthem for soldiers and the patriots. It’s got everything: battlefield drama, great characters, and a lot of cinema. And then there’s LOC Kargil (2003), which made sure everyone knew how intense the Kargil War was. And who can forget Uri: The Surgical Strike (2019)? That one made us all feel like we could take on a whole army with nothing but will and a crisp salute. The Kargil War, thanks to its recency and the real-life heroes it produced, was perfect for Bollywood – lots of drama, high stakes, and an emotional payoff.
But what about the 1965 war? It was an equally important chapter, but Bollywood’s been somewhat shy about giving it the same treatment. Why? Because the 1965 war ended in a ceasefire with no clear winner. Oops, there goes the “hero’s journey” plot, right? Not quite! Just because it didn’t end with fireworks doesn’t mean it wasn’t full of its own moments, heartbreak, and tension. But Bollywood has decided that if there’s no obvious enemy to hate or no obvious victory to cheer for, it’s not “exciting enough” for the big screen. But that’s where we’re wrong. It’s exactly because of this complexity that a 1965 war film would be so much richer.
The 1965 Indo-Pak War is full of stories, stories about soldiers who fought bravely, families who lost their loved ones, and the real cost of conflict. And that’s where Bollywood comes in. A good war film should never just be about who won or who lost; it should be about the human beings who lived through it, the pain they endured, and the sacrifices they made. Imagine a film that shows humanity on both sides of the war, one that focuses on the men and women who didn’t make it back home. That’s the kind of film that could create an emotional bond with the audience, without leaning into the heavy-handed nationalism that some war films do.
You see, it’s not just about tanks and guns, those are the easy things to show. It’s about the lives that were bothered, the families that lost close ones, and the long-term effects of a war that changed the course of history. Bollywood can step up and portray these stories, not for propaganda, not for victory speeches, but to give the 1965 conflict the respect it deserves.
The 1965 Indo-Pak War presents an opportunity to create a film that’s not just patriotic, but also deeply humane and unbiased. Picture this: a film that doesn’t focus on making one side the villain but instead goes into the personal lives of those involved. Soldiers on both sides, struggling with the realities of war, families grieving the loss of their loved ones, and civilians who were caught in the crossfire. A film that doesn’t just glorify victory but shows the true cost of dispute.
Bollywood has the power to tell this story in a way that educates the younger generation about their history, without the filter of “we were right, they were wrong.” No sugarcoating, no political agendas, just pure, raw history.
The 1965 Indo-Pak War wasn’t just another conflict in the India-Pakistan dynamic, it was a first of its kind in a lot of different ways too. Among the biggest highlights was the scale at which airpower was used. This was the first time the Indian Air Force (IAF) was positioned in such an large capacity, which made the skies an active war field. Fighter jets split through the clouds, getting in dogfights that would fit just right in a high-budget Hollywood action film. From bombing enemy tanks to targeting supply lines, the air battles of 1965 added a whole new dimension to warfare. The 1965 war was the first time the IAF’s full capabilities were tested in an operation.
And yet, Bollywood somehow missed it. This great chapter in history, with all its cinema potential, fighter pilots risking their lives, missions carried out with strategy, the bravery of men in uniform, and the emotions involved, has been right under our noses. For years, it existed here, practically a pot of gold sitting to me made into a high-action movie. It had all the elements for a blockbuster action movie, action? emotion? and an opportunity to show real heroism on camera.
Finally, it seems that Bollywood has answered the call with a very anticipated movie. Sky Force, a film that aims to bring this complex piece of history to the big screen. Scheduled to release on Republic Day 2025, the movie stars Akshay Kumar as an Indian Air Force officer, with Nimrat Kaur, Sara Ali Khan, and Veer Pahariya rounding out the cast. The story majorly focuses on India’s retaliatory attack on Pakistan’s Sargodha airbase, described as India’s first and deadliest airstrike during the 1965 war.
The film promises to capture the sheer courage and spirit of the men in uniform who fought in one of the most critical air battles in Indian history. With Akshay Kumar leading the charge, the narrative is set to be as inspiring as it is action packed and full of thrill. The choice of Republic Day for the release date feels symbolic, a nod to the patriotism and sacrifice that the war embodies.
What’s truly exciting about Sky Force is that it finally gives the 1965 Indo-Pak War its due. While previous films have largely focused on the 1971 war and Kargil, this film shifts the spotlight to an equally significant yet often overshadowed conflict. It’s not just a story about fighter jets and air bases; it’s about courage, strategy, and the human stories behind the headlines.
The fact that this film is coming out now, after decades of silence on the topic, feels like a long-overdue acknowledgment of the sacrifices made by those who fought in the skies. It’s a tragedy that the events of 1965 haven’t received the cinematic attention they deserve, but Sky Force is a step in the right direction.
In an industry that blooms on larger-than-life, tall, dark and handsome heroes, Sky Force gives a chance to celebrate real-life bravery. It’s a tribute to the soldiers who risked everything and a reminder of the pivotal role the IAF played in shaping the outcome of the 1965 war. As audiences, we get to witness not just the action-packed sequences but also the emotional depth of those who fought for our nation.
So, as we gear up for Republic Day 2025, we hope Sky Force takes off as high as the pilots it will honor.
