IAF is not impressed by the gender bias in the film, which it claims is inaccurate, says producer Karan Johar was informed about their reservations but he didn’t delete the objectionable scenes

By Our Correspondent

A war film is always looked upon with great scrutiny. In the past, the Ministry of Defence has called for whetting of films based on Indian armed forces with the film producers needing to take an No Objection Certificate [NOC] from them. Karan Johar, Zee Studios produced Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl [2020] has released today [12 August] on Netflix. While the critics have lauded the film, but the Indian Air Force [IAF] is unimpressed by it. According to a report by ANI, the Indian Air Force has shot a letter to Central Bureau of Film Certification chairman Prasoon Joshi expressing their disappointment over the ‘negative portrayal’ of the prestigious force. IAF has also sent the letter to Netflix and producers Dharma Productions, Zee Studios.

Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl [2020] is inspired by the heroics of Flight Lieutenant Gunjan Saxena, who was among the two female pilots to undertake operations in a war zone during the Kargil conflict of 1999. Janhvi Kapoor plays the titular role in the Dharma, Zee Studios film.

“In the aim to to glorify the screen character of of EX-Flt Lt Gunjan Saxena, M/S Dharma Productions presented some situations that are misleading and portray an inappropriate work culture especially against women in the IAF.” the letter accessed by ANI read.

The letter also stated that after seeing the trailer, the IAF had expressed its reservations and had asked the producers to delete the contentious scenes but the producers didn’t abide by it and in stead just put a long disclaimer.

“Dharma Productions was informed abut the objectionable portion of the movie and was advised to to delete/modify the same. However, the production house has not deleted the scenes but it proposed a media plan in the run-up to the release and insert a disclaimer in the movie”.

IAF has asserted that it has always provided a level playing field for all and there is never any gender gender bias. In the film, there’s no institutional bias, but only a few individuals who doubt the capability of Gunjan Saxena.