This is the first time in her short career that Janhvi Kapoor will be seen portraying a real-life character. Gunjan Saxena, the daughter of an army officer, was asked by the Indian Air Force to fly in Srinagar and rescue her contemporaries when the India-Pakistan war escalated in 1999. She was later honoured with the Shaurya Vir award by the Indian government for displaying exemplary courage during wartime. Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl was supposed to have a theatrical release on April 24 this year. However, due to the coronavirus pandemic, the film has opted for a digital release.

Speaking on the depiction of patriotism in Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl and how the makers have majorly tried to stick with Gunjan’s real life, Janhvi told PTI, “After talking to Sharan and meeting Gunjan ma’am, I also felt that though she is a national hero, she did not set out to be one. She just wanted to pursue her dream, and through that she did so much for the country and its daughters. Her agenda was simple and honest. That’s the lesson and the takeaway I hope people have from the film. There are ways of being patriotic. Everyone loves their country whether they shout it out or not. Working hard, silently and honestly is also a way to be patriotic.”