Thread #GunjanSaxena
My initial schooling, kindergarten to seventh standard (80s), happened at an Army Public School in Kashmir. In the last 2 decades as a journalist, I got many opportunities to watch India’s defence forces, closely. I also like watching war movies.

I watched #GunjanSaxenaTheKargilGirl on @netflix. Although all the actors have done a great job, the director/producer has subtly and sometimes even blatantly, converted it into a political project at many levels.

One, it portrays most Indian Air Force male officers of the 80s & 90s as obnoxious misogynists. Second, it shows most of #GunjanSaxena’s male colleagues in Indian Air Force as insensitive and ill-mannered douchebags.

Third, it subtly promotes the idea that between the patriotism for India and their own freedom, Indian women should choose the latter. Fourth, it tells us that it is alright for Indian women to join defence services without any passion for or commitment to national security.

Fifth, it shames the Indians who take pride in the slogan ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’. As someone, who has had substantial experience of life and work with Indian defence forces, I am just appalled by the negative portrayal of the Indian Air Force.

It’s unbelievable that IAF officers behaved like jerks with GunjanSaxena & drove her to the point of quitting. If there was one thing about the Indian defence forces, I appreciated, as a child & as an adult, it was the chivalry, mannerism & civility of soldiers & officers alike.

Also, the messaging on national security and patriotism is not just downright idiotic but dangerous. No one should join defence forces unless you are patriotic and place national security above everything else.

I suppose, to look “cool”, Bollywood loves to imitate Tarantino and overall Hollywood. So a typical Indian soldier also has to be a macho misogynistic prick, from their perspective.

That is so moronic because both men and women can be different beasts in their exclusive clubs/schools/institutions. Women hostels, colleges and girl schools have their own stories. But in inclusive spaces, both behave differently.

Overall, many parts of the biopic #GunjanSaxenaTheKargilGirl, appear implausible and highly exaggerated.