Dedicated 2 d memory of MVC Capt. Anuj Nayyar (1976-1999) &
All those brave soldiers who have laid down their lives, so that we could live ours.
This film is inspired by the struggle of Prof. SK Nayyar, father of MVC Capt. Anuj Nayyar, who laid down his life in Kargil War....
Prof. Kapoor(Om Puri) teaches International Business in d University, where Peehu(Gul Panag) is also a student. SavitaRevathi) works as a librarian & waits daily 4 her husband 2 pick her up after his lectures. Their only son, Rohit(Sanjay Suri) fulfils his dream & joins d Indian Army even against d wishes of his parents. But once in, they give him their entire support; though Savita blames Prof. 4 not having stopped him even once. Rohit is posted at Kargil border while d war is on between India & Pakistan. Normal daily life of a family who has given their lone son 2 d army.
Rohit is given charge over d secretive & tough Mission Fateh, which would consist of just a handful of selected soldiers. Just B4 leaving on d mission, he calls his father proudly relating his achievement. However, he speaks of d possibilities of being in such danger when he may B surrounded by enemies, all alone, in an unknown territory. He asks his father 4 advice if such a situation arises. The reply comes:
’’To apni zameen se baat karna; wo tumhe hausla degi, himmat degi. Us thandi, barfili hawa se baat karna; wo tumhe apni aghosh me lekar raasta dikhaayegi....’’
(Then speak 2 Ur land; she will encourage U & give U strength. Speak 2 d icy cool breeze; she will hold U close 2 her bosom & show U d way....)
’Anything else?’ asks d ever smiling soldier. ’Yes’, reples his proud father:
’’Goli peeth par mat khaana; do, Dushmano ke haath zinda nahi aana; aur teesri baat, Agar haar jaao, to is ghar ka pataa bhool jaana.’’
(Don’t take any bullet on Ur back; secondly, Don’t return 4m d enemy’s hands alive; & thirdly, If U lose, then 4get Ur way 2 this home.)
....& he doesn’t return home alive! The agony, pain & misery of an old couple who lose their only son coupled with d pride dat their son has been nominated 4 honorary Param Veer Chakra. An old couple who need space & time 2 recover 4m d shock, but r hounded by officials, media & press being asked, ’’How do U feel....?’’ Makes U wonder how insensitive we can B 2 other people’s plight!
There r many emotional & touching scenes in dis movie where each person fondly remembers past happy days spent with d young martyr. However, my favorite scene is when a bouquet of red roses is delivered with a card a couple of days after d tragedy. It’s Savita’s birthday & her son had ordered flowers 2 B delivered & his card read. ’’The 1 who holds this card is d world’s gr8st Mother. I wish I can spend this day with U. If I m there, we’ll spend it 2gether; if not, then at sharp 9 am, d phone will ring. So r u ready?’’ At d strike of 9...., d phone screams & Savita runs 2 pick it up. As she says a frightened expectant ’Hello’, she hears him singing, ’’Happy Birthday 2 U....’’
Peehu stays by d couple’s side, refusing 2 get married 2 any1 else. She stays as their strength & consolation even as she tells Savita that her son adored her & wud often say, ’’Mere Papa kucch bhi kar sakte hai. Lekin meri Mummy sirf ek kaam jaanti hai.... Pyaar karna.’’ (My Papa can do ANYTHING. But my Mummy knows 2 do only 1 thing.... 2 LOVE.)
The story takes a fast pace when the old couple r offered a petrol pump by d Government of India as ’compensation’ which they flatly refuse saying, ’’Even all d riches of this world cannot compensate 4 my son.’’ But a kind, considerate Major Kaul explains 2 them dat this petrol pump is not theirs. It belongs 2 their son & thru it, his memories will remain 4ever. This leads Prof 2 go 4m door 2 door seeking permission & certificates, knocking d gates of higher officials. But everywhere, he is told just 1 thing, ’’Time has changed & with time, so have definition of things. In 2day’s world, taking bribe means being sincere & refusing bribe means being corrupt. U live in d world of books but d outside world functions like this only. 2day, if even Gandhiji comes 2 claim Sabarmati Ashram, he would have 2 pay bribe. Where will U go if U fight d system? U won’t win!’’
But an honest man is an honest man & remains an honest man. He refuses 2 pay 4 what belongs 2 him & keeps fighting, facing all d insults & degradation when he’s asked 2 prove dat he is d deceased Captain’s real father. He finds dat d entire system is corrupt 4m top 2 bottom. Disillusioned, he wants 2 give up when his wife emerges strong & answers his every doubt. She suggests changing residence 2 make things easier. The dialogue which follows is beautiful:
Prof: ’’Tum wo ghar chhor dogi? Wo ghar humne bahut pyaar se banaaya tha, Rohit ke pasand ko dhyan me rakhte hue’’ (Will U leave dat house? We built it very lovingly, keeping Rohit’s likings in mind)
Savita: ’’Rohit ne ab ghar badal diya hai Prof.’’ (Rohit has changed residence now Prof)
Prof: ’’Rohit ki kitni yadein judi hai us ghar se’’ (That house holds so many memories of Rohit)
Savita: ’’Yaadein dil me rehti hai Prof; deewaro me nahi’’ (Memories live in hearts Prof, not on d walls)
& the fight continues. A lone couple & a young girl on 1 side & every1 else on d other side. What happens then? Do they manage 2 work things out without giving in 2 d demands of every post? Do they just keep quiet & succumb 2 what is asked of them? What challenges do they face & how do they deal or break down?
It’s a very simple, non-glamourous movie which portrays d darker side of d system & what d common man has 2 face. Is being honest a sin then? This movie is not just d story of 1 brave soldier who fought 4 his country & gave up his life 4 it; but it’s d story of d 42, 814 martyrs who have long been 4gotten. It’s a tribute 2 each of them & an honour 2 their families. Each character has been very well enacted by d versatile artistes, without excessive emotional drama or screeching & yelling. A very naturally made movie as my Mama noted: ’’Even d whites of Revathi’s hair looks so natural’’ :0P Gul Panag, d ex-beauty queen, looks sweet, simple & a refreshing change 4m d barely clad heroines of 2day. Her dimple pops up every other scene making U want 2 pull her cheeks. It’s a must see 4 those who like serious natural movies without d drama or melodrama; as d case may B.
4 those who do not want 2 hear more, read no further cos I can’t resist telling d outcome. D dream petrol pump finally came true. It stands proudly 2day by d name of Kargil Heights at Vasundhara Enclave, Delhi. D profits r donated 2 a trust 4 d education & welfare of poor children. Names of all d Indian martyrs who gave up their live fighting on d battlefield have been engraved on a stone in d vicinity. D movie ends with d voice of Jagjit Singh singingas Om Puri’s voice says:
’’2day Kargil Heights has become dat small important part of d big battle, which can shake d society & Government. It has become an inspiration 2 keep alive true dreams & an honest living.’’