Border: Difference between revisions
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== Plot == | == Plot == | ||
The film begins before the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 is officially declared. | |||
At a forward airbase, Indian Air Force Wing Commander Andy Bajwa and his team are sent to Rajasthan. They are told to fly Hawker Hunter aircraft in the Jaisalmer sector to support the army. On the way, Bajwa meets his friend Major Kuldip Singh Chandpuri of the 23rd Punjab Regiment, who is taking command of a small post at Longewala with only 120 soldiers. | |||
Kuldip meets his second-in-command, 2nd Lieutenant Dharamvir Singh Bhan (whose father died in the 1965 war), and Naib Subedar Mathura Das. They join BSF officer Bhairon Singh, a proud local who loves the desert. | |||
During a patrol, they encounter insurgents who have informed the Pakistani army about their position. Dharamvir hesitates to kill one of them, so Kuldip shoots the man himself. Dharamvir is shaken, and Bhairon comforts him. The two share stories about their families—Dharamvir’s fiancée Kamla and Bhairon’s wife Phool Kanwar. | |||
Soon, Subedar Ratan Singh joins with two anti-tank guns. Dharamvir later kills a spy, proving his courage. The men wait for action, listening to war news on the radio. Das is granted leave to see his sick wife, but war breaks out on 3 December 1971 when Pakistan bombs Indian airbases. | |||
Kuldip sends small teams to patrol and evacuate nearby villages. Dharamvir’s patrol spots Pakistani tanks and infantry, led by Ghulam Dastagir, entering India. They report this to Kuldip, who learns there will be no air support at night. He decides to hold the post instead of retreating, and his men choose to stay and fight. | |||
At night, Pakistani tanks attack, but Kuldip’s mines and RCL guns destroy several. Das destroys many tanks but is mortally wounded. Ratan sacrifices himself to save his men. Bhairon also dies while blowing up a tank. Dharamvir returns but is killed in a firefight. A captured Pakistani soldier reveals Dastagir’s plan to capture Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, and even Delhi. | |||
At dawn, Dastagir launches a final massive attack. Kuldip leads a counterattack with rocket launchers and grenades, killing Dastagir. Bajwa’s air force squadron arrives and destroys more tanks, forcing Pakistan’s forces to retreat. | |||
Although India wins the battle, many soldiers have died. The film ends with Kuldip walking through the battlefield while Indian forces begin their counter-offensive, and news of the soldiers’ deaths reaches their grieving families. | |||
== Cast == | == Cast == | ||
Revision as of 17:51, 15 August 2025
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| Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | J. P. Dutta |
|---|---|
| Produced by | J. P. Dutta Bhanwar Singh |
| Screenplay by | J. P. Dutta |
| Dialogues by | |
| Story by | |
| Starring | Sunny Deol Jackie Shroff Suniel Shetty Akshaye Khanna Puneet Issar Sudesh Berry Kulbhushan Kharbanda |
| Music by | Songs: Anu Malik Score: Aadesh Shrivastava |
| Cinematography | Ishwar R. Bidri Nirmal Jani |
| Edited by | Deepak Wirkud Vilas Ranade |
| Production company | J. P. Films |
| Distributed by | J. P. Films |
| Release date | 13 June 1997 |
| Running time | 170 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Hindi |
| Budget | est. ₹12 crore |
| Box office | est. ₹66.70 crore (India Nett) |
Border is a 1997 Indian Hindi-language war film written, produced, and directed by J. P. Dutta. It is set during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 and is based on the real-life Battle of Longewala. The film stars Sunny Deol, Jackie Shroff, Suniel Shetty, Akshaye Khanna, Sudesh Berry, and Puneet Issar, with Kulbhushan Kharbanda, Tabu, Raakhee, Pooja Bhatt, and Sharbani Mukherjee in supporting roles.
Dutta began writing the script in September 1995 and finished it in April 1996. Most of the film was shot in Bikaner, Rajasthan, with some scenes filmed in Jodhpur. The song "Sandese Aate Hai" by Sonu Nigam and Roop Kumar Rathod became hugely popular. Javed Akhtar wrote the lyrics, Anu Malik composed the songs, and Hariharan sang "Mere Dushman Mere Bhai".
Released on 13 June 1997, the film received positive reviews for its story, direction, performances, and music. It became the highest-grossing Hindi film in India in 1997 and was declared an All-Time Blockbuster. It also won three National Film Awards, including Best Film on National Integration, and four Filmfare Awards, including Best Director for J. P. Dutta and Best Male Debut for Akshaye Khanna.
The film remains a classic and was screened in 2017 on India's 70th Independence Day to mark its 20th anniversary. A sequel, Border 2, starring Sunny Deol and directed by Anurag Singh, is scheduled for release in 2026.
Plot
The film begins before the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 is officially declared. At a forward airbase, Indian Air Force Wing Commander Andy Bajwa and his team are sent to Rajasthan. They are told to fly Hawker Hunter aircraft in the Jaisalmer sector to support the army. On the way, Bajwa meets his friend Major Kuldip Singh Chandpuri of the 23rd Punjab Regiment, who is taking command of a small post at Longewala with only 120 soldiers.
Kuldip meets his second-in-command, 2nd Lieutenant Dharamvir Singh Bhan (whose father died in the 1965 war), and Naib Subedar Mathura Das. They join BSF officer Bhairon Singh, a proud local who loves the desert.
During a patrol, they encounter insurgents who have informed the Pakistani army about their position. Dharamvir hesitates to kill one of them, so Kuldip shoots the man himself. Dharamvir is shaken, and Bhairon comforts him. The two share stories about their families—Dharamvir’s fiancée Kamla and Bhairon’s wife Phool Kanwar.
Soon, Subedar Ratan Singh joins with two anti-tank guns. Dharamvir later kills a spy, proving his courage. The men wait for action, listening to war news on the radio. Das is granted leave to see his sick wife, but war breaks out on 3 December 1971 when Pakistan bombs Indian airbases.
Kuldip sends small teams to patrol and evacuate nearby villages. Dharamvir’s patrol spots Pakistani tanks and infantry, led by Ghulam Dastagir, entering India. They report this to Kuldip, who learns there will be no air support at night. He decides to hold the post instead of retreating, and his men choose to stay and fight.
At night, Pakistani tanks attack, but Kuldip’s mines and RCL guns destroy several. Das destroys many tanks but is mortally wounded. Ratan sacrifices himself to save his men. Bhairon also dies while blowing up a tank. Dharamvir returns but is killed in a firefight. A captured Pakistani soldier reveals Dastagir’s plan to capture Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, and even Delhi.
At dawn, Dastagir launches a final massive attack. Kuldip leads a counterattack with rocket launchers and grenades, killing Dastagir. Bajwa’s air force squadron arrives and destroys more tanks, forcing Pakistan’s forces to retreat.
Although India wins the battle, many soldiers have died. The film ends with Kuldip walking through the battlefield while Indian forces begin their counter-offensive, and news of the soldiers’ deaths reaches their grieving families.
Cast
Production
Soundtrack
Release
Marketing
Reception
Critical response
Box office
Box Office Collection
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