Dimple Cheema’s role in Shershaah isn’t the only time Hindi cinema has tried to capture what it takes for a woman to love an Army man and stand by him at all costs. Bollywood is replete with films that exhibit the valour of our army men who leave no stone unturned to safeguard their country. These courageous men, however, are often backed by supportive wives, girlfriends or fiancée, who lead a life of uncertainty. Here are five times Bollywood captured what it’s like to be a woman in an Army man’s life.
1. Shershaah
The recently released Shershaah revolves around the life of Kargil Hero Vikram Batra. It also gives a glimpse into the character of Dimple Cheema, his love interest. Kiara Advani has essayed her role with utmost sincerity in the film. From motivating him to gain clarity in his life to waiting for him patiently while he was away at the border, Cheema is portrayed as a headstrong woman who believes in taking her decisions independently. The last scene in the movie where she is seen crying inconsolably at Batra’s funeral speaks volumes of the depth of their relationship. Cheema refused to marry any other man after Batra’s demise and to this date continues to live with his memories. Meet Dimple Cheema, Captain Vikram Batra’s love interest who lives as his widow now
2. Border
Dharamveer Khanna (played by Akshay Khanna) is shown to be head over heels in love with his fiancée Kamla (played by Pooja Bhatt) from his native village. On the day of his engagement, however, he is called back to duty. Before leaving, Khanna urges her to marry someone else if he doesn’t return. Kamla tells him that she is his shadow and he won’t be able to get rid of her so easily. He was martyred during the war. She, towards the end of the movie, is seen waiting for him highlighting the plight of several women who choose to love men in uniform. In another scene, Bhairav Singh (played by Sunil Shetty) is shown bidding farewell to his wife on his wedding night after being called back to duty. She even gets pregnant and waits for her husband Bhairon Singh who gets killed during the war.
3. LOC Kargil
Simran (played by Kareena Kapoor) is Captain Anuj Nayyar’s (played by Saif Ali Khan) girlfriend in the movie LOC Kargil. She is seen giving moral support to Capt. Anuj when he goes for the war. In one of the scenes, he also asks her to move on in life if he doesn’t return. She, however, is adamant and reiterates that it won’t be easy for him to let go of her.
4. Lakshya
Romila Dutta (played by Preity Zinta) is Karan Shergill’s (played by Hrithik Roshan) girlfriend in the movie. While she loves him, Karan’s aimlessness in life bothers her. She goes on to break up with him after he runs away during his training at a defence academy. The jilted lover then channelized his pain into becoming a courageous army officer who fights the Kargil war. Dutta, a career driven woman herself, in her own ways, motivates him to find his mission in life and make it worth living. The two reunite at the end.
5. Uri: The Surgical Strike
Kirti Kulhari essays the role of Seerat Kaur, the widowed air force pilot who dons the uniform to carry forward her martyred husband’s legacy. She helps Vicky Kaushal’s character Vihaan to carry out an important operation. Besides this, there is a scene in the movie where Major Karan Kashyap’s daughter Suhani Kashyap (played by Riva Arora) sings the war cry, “Shauryam… Daksham… Yuddheya…” in the loudest pitch and cries reminding us of the pain and pride that loved ones go through when an army man sacrifices his life for the nation.
These women put their emotions on hold and send their men off to their duty with smiles on their faces wondering if they would ever get a chance to see them again or not. Which character among these do you find the most inspiring?
Suggested Reading
Army Wives On The Risks Of Being In The Line Of Duty
Photographer Garima Dixit On Why Army Wives Are A Courageous Lot
Pulwama Martyr’s Wife Nitika Kaul Dhoundiyal To Don Indian Army Uniform Soon
