Sanjay Dutt, Parineeti Chopra, Sonakshi Sinha and others board 'Bhuj: The Pride Of India'

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Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt, Parineeti Chopra, Sonakshi Sinha, Rana Daggubatti and Ammy Virk have joined Ajay Devgn in the war film, "Bhuj: The Pride Of India", the makers announced Wednesday. Bhushan Kumar, who is serving as producer on the project, shared the news on Twitter. "Welcome the stellar cast of #BhujThePrideOfIndia @ajaydevgn @duttsanjay @parineetichopra @sonakshisinha @ranadaggubati & @ammyvirk," he wrote.

To be written and directed by Abhishek Dudhaiya, the film will feature Devgn as Vijay Karnik, an IAF Wing Commander, who was in charge of the Bhuj airport during the 1971 war between India and Pakistan.

Karnik, along with 50 Air Force and 60 defence security officers, played an instrumental role in keeping the airbase operational despite facing heavy bombing from Pakistan. The airstrip was damaged during the shelling but Karnik and his team, with the help of 300 local women, reconstructed it so that a flight carrying Indian Army officers could land safely.

Talking about the film, Bhushan Kumar of T-series told TOI, “This courageous tale needs to be told because we want the current and the coming generation to know about this brave soldier, Squadron Leader Vijay Karnik, who played a significant role in India’s victory in the 1971 war. He was heroic enough to take this bold step of involving civilians in a war. Also, who better than Ajay Devgn for the role of Vijay Karnik? We are working with him currently in De De Pyaar De and Taanaji, and we are glad that he is on board for this film, too.”

Kartik also expressed his joy about Ajay Devgn playing him in the Bollywood film. He said, “We were fighting a war and if there had been any casualties of any of these women, it would have been a great loss. But I took the decision and it worked out. I had briefed them where they could take shelter if attacked and they followed it bravely. Also, I could only see Ajay Devgn essaying my character and I’m glad that he’s on board.”

"Bhuj..." will be co-produced by Krishan Kumar, Ginny Khanuja, Vajir Singh and Dhudhaiya.

(With PTI inputs)