Bhuj: The Pride of India

Bhuj: The Pride of India is a 2021 Indian Hindi-language war film directed by Abhishek Dudhaiya. Set during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, it follows Indian Air Force Squadron Leader Vijay Karnik — then in-charge of the Bhuj Air Force Base who, with the help of 300 local women of Madhapar Village, reconstructed the damaged landing strip in 72 hours. The film features Ajay Devgn as Karnik, alongside Sanjay Dutt, Sonakshi Sinha, Nora Fatehi, Sharad Kelkar, Ammy Virk and Ihana Dhillon.

Principal photography commenced in June 2019 in Hyderabad, Kutch, Bhopal, Indore, Lucknow, Goregaon, Kolkata and Dubai. Production was put on hold in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 lockdown in India when filming was 90% complete; Devgn resumed shooting in November 2020 and wrapped up in March 2021, bringing the film into post-production stage.

Initially slated for theatrical release on 14 August 2020 on the Independence Day weekend, it was delayed by the pandemic and finally premiered on 13 August 2021 on Disney+ Hotstar. The film received mostly negative reviews from the film critics, who criticized the film for its writing, pace and unrealistic situations.

Plot

In the beginning of Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, the airstrip at the Bhuj base is destroyed by an enemy aircraft, cutting-off reinforcement supply from mainland India. A small group of Indian Army soldiers defend Bhuj from being overrun, while 300 local women, led by the base's commander Squadron Leader Vijay Karnik, reconstruct the airbase under enemy fire. The film starts with the Pakistani Prime Minister discussing about conquering the Indian territories. The wife of a Pakistani army officer is shown to be an Indian spy, who came to take revenge for her brother's murder, who was caught and brutally killed. But she was also caught and killed.