As Shershaah trailer drops, here’s the real story of Captain Vikram Batra

In Vishnuvardhan’s war biopic called Shershaah, Sidharth Malhotra takes on the role of Captain Vikram Batra, a celebrated Indian army officer who gave his life while fighting for the country during the 1999 Kargil War at just 24. The title of the film refers to Batra’s nickname.

The film also stars Kiara Advani as Dimple Cheema, Captain Batra’s fiancee who never married after he was martyred.

Shershaah’s trailer released on Sunday leaving fans remembering the man on whom the movie is based. Born in the hill town of Palampur in Himachal Pradesh, Batra was the elder of twins and also had two sisters. After his schooling, he took admission in Chandigarh’s DAV College and post-graduated from Panjab University. He eventually joined Dehradun’s Indian Military Academy, an institute that trains officers for Indian Army in 1996, and graduated in December 1997.

Heroes live on through their stories. We are honoured to bring to you the true story of the Kargil War hero, Captain Vikram Batra (PVC). A film with a long journey for me & a real life character I am proud to play. #ShershaahOnPrime comes out on 12th August only on @PrimeVideoIN pic.twitter.com/Ca416NEbBH

— Sidharth Malhotra (@SidMalhotra) July 15, 2021

Vikram Batra’s military career began after he was Commissioned into the 13th battalion of Jammu and Kashmir Rifles. And it was this regiment with whom Batra joined the Kargil War, in which Pakistani troops, disguised as native militants, infiltrated the Indian position along LOC.

During the conflict, Captain Batra distinguished himself for his bravery and skill. He gunned down four Pakistani soldiers and died while saving his comrade who was injured. As he was trying to drag the soldier to safety by deliberately exposing himself to enemy fire, he was shot in the chest and a splinter of an RPG warhead hit him in the head.

Here are a few facts to get you ready & pumped to witness Captain Vikram Batra (PVC)’s journey on your screens. #Shershaah trailer out on 25th July!💪🏻

P.s. Another fact you should know – #ShershaahOnPrime comes out on 12th August only on @PrimeVideoIN. pic.twitter.com/5IftWj5FFY

— Dharma Productions (@DharmaMovies) July 23, 2021

For his service and acts of valour, he was awarded with the Param Vir Chakra, India’s highest military decoration.

Pepsi’s ad slogan from late 1990s — ‘Yeh Dil Maange More’ — is often associated with Batra. It was the code word of Vikram Batra to report about his success to his commanders through radio message from point 5140 near Tololing.

Hindi cinema does not have a good track record with military movies, which nearly always devolve into 2-3 hour displays of jingoism that glorify war. Let’s hope Shershaah is an exception.

Bankrolled by Dharma Productions and Kaash Entertainment, Shershaah releases on August 12 on Amazon Prime Video.