Flight Lieutenant Gunjan Saxena with actor Jahnvi Kapoor | YouTube
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New Delhi: Bollywood actor Jahnvi Kapoor is all set to bring the story of Indian Air Force’s first woman pilot in combat on Netflix, with her film Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl.

While the date has not been announced yet, Kapoor took to Instagram announce the release of the film on the streaming platform.

“This isn’t just a film for me- it’s a journey that’s taught me to believe in myself. A journey I can’t wait to share with you all. About a girl who set out to do something simple, follow her dreams,” she wrote.

The film has been jointly produced by Dharma Productions and Zee Studios, and also features actors Pankaj Tripathi and Angad Bedi.

Producer Karan Johan, in a statement, said, “Gunjan Saxena is a defining film based on a true story about a woman who showed unparalleled courage, and inspiration to many in the coming years. We are excited to partner with Netflix and share this fearless story about following your heart and your dreams with millions around the world.”

“We are focused on bringing the finest and most entertaining films to our members in India and around the world. Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl is a story of pure courage and determination and we can’t wait to premiere it on Netflix. Dharma Productions, Zee Studios and the entire cast and crew have come together to make this incredibly inspiring, must see film that will move and entertain everyone,” said Monika Shergill, VP-Content, Netflix.

Who is Gunjan Saxena?

Flight Lieutenant Gunjan Saxena and Flight Lieutenant Srividya Rajan were the first Indian Air Force women officers to go to war.

Flying Cheetah helicopters into combat zone during the 1999 Kargil war, they rescued several officers. Saxena had a close shave when a missile aimed at her missed and crashed behind her helicopter.

She was honoured with the Shaurya Vir for displaying courage at the border and that is how she came to be a known as the ‘Kargil Girl’.

Saxena, daughter of an Army officer, was a student at Delhi University’s Hansraj College, after which she joined the Delhi Flying Club at Safdarjung.

Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl has now joined the long list of movies, such as Shoojit Sircar’s Amitabh Bachchan-Ayushman Khuraan-starrer Gulabo Sitabo, Vidya Balan’s Shakuntala Devi, and Malayalam film Sufiyum Sujatayum starring Aditi Rao Hydari, among others, that are being released on streaming platforms, with movie halls remaining shut.

The film, directed by Sharan Sharma, was initially scheduled to hit theatres on 24 April but was postponed due to the nationwide lockdown.