A day after the Indian Air Force wrote to the Central Bureau of Film Certification complaining against the misrepresentation of the Indian Air Force in the film Gunjan Saxena, the real Kargil girl Gunjan Saxena has broken her silence.
Gunjan Saxena is based on the life of one of India’s first female pilots to have gone to combat. Saxena was an integral part of saving several soldiers in the Kargil war in 1999. However, the film has come under criticism for his portrayal of the Indian Air Force. The Indian Air Force has vocally objected to the film’s portrayal and has said that the force had earlier contacted Johar who had promised to modify the wrong portrayal.
In the letter the Air Force wrote to the CBFC, Force told that its objection comes even after getting assurance from producer Karan Johar to not portray the force negatively. This has sparked off a debate in the social media where the netizens have asked why Bollywood deliberately portray India in a negative light.
Gunjan Herself Clarifies
Speaking to the news agency IANS, Saxena clarified her stance on the issue where she said that the training at Indian Air Force provided her with the courage to achieve the things in her life. She said that the force has a strong cultural ethos. She said,
“Yes, as a commercial movie or as a work of fiction, the film has tried to capture my story. But what is beyond any doubt is that doors were opened and opportunities were given and that is also shown in the movie.”
She further tells that there was no impartiality in the Indian Air Force with regard to opportunities. Saying that the number of women officers has only increased in the force, she said,
“This shows that the Indian Air Force, which is a deeply respected institution in the country, has been so progressive and positive about bringing change in itself. So that’s how I would like to address this question.”
Source: OpIndia
