Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl

We've been patrolling for ages.

Are these guns just for show, or are we ever going to actually use them?

That's what Dayal Sir's wife says, too.

Is the gun just for show, or will you actually use it?

-What was that, Biswa? -We're just kidding, sir.

Don't get cheeky with me.

Sorry, sir.

Section, take cover!

-Fire ahead! Two o'clock! -They're firing from the front!

-Take your positions! -Take cover!

Biswa! Take positions!

Take cover!

Sir, we've got you!

Get the first aid kit!

One for 15, come in!

15 for 1. Pass message. Over.

Enemy fire at check-post two and three! Over!

Confirm enemy fire. Over.

Heavy fire! There are enemy soldiers hiding in the valley ahead!

We'll handle them, but Subedar Dayal is badly wounded.

He can't go any further. We need emergency evacuation. Over.

Roger that!

Wing Commander Singh, there's an emergency evacuation.

We have 30 minutes.

-Prepare your chopper. Over. -Pick-up coordinates?

Kilo valley. South of Tololing.

Closest helipad at GR12344323. Over.

Copied.

Chopper for CASEVAC will be airborne in seven minutes.

It's an emergency CASEVAC. Get two choppers ready.

All the pilots are out on their missions. Who's going to go?

Gunju!

Dada, let me look.

Gunju, let me sleep.

-Dada, please let me look! -Gunju, please let me sleep!

Juice?

Come.

Come!

Do you want to fly the plane?

Okay. Hold this.

When I say left, you steer left. Slowly. Okay?

Ready?

One, two…

three…

left.

Can I sit there?

To sit here, you need to be a pilot.

Pilot.

Gunju! You look blind in these goggles!

-Dada, I want to be a pilot. -And I want to be Kapil Dev.

I'm serious. I want to be a pilot.

Girls don't become pilots. You know what girls can be?

Here. Hold this and ask,

"Sir, veg or non-veg?"

Come on.

"This aircraft has four emergency exits. Two in the front and two in the back."

And from which exit would you like to be thrown out?

-Papa, she wants to be a pilot. -So?

-As if girls can be pilots. -Really?

Which buffoon has taught you this?

Don't pay attention to him, love.

Whether it's a man or a woman flying the plane,

they're both called pilots.

And if the plane doesn't care who's flying it,

why should you?

You can be anything you like.

-But first, complete… -My education!

Yes.

And, you… 20 squats.

Why?

From the moment I saw you

I just can't get you out of my head

I lost my head And now I just keep following you around

Gunju!

How can you be a pilot if you're scared of heights?

Come on! Fly!

Jump!

Wherever you are There I'll be

Excellent!

I can't help it

Now and forever

I'm tied to you

I'm tied to you

Who wears goggles at night?

Pilots can't risk damage to their eyes.

Gone case.

Push and pull

Cut and tear

This bond we share

Can't be broken

From sunny days

To misty nights

This bond we share is forever

Wherever you are There I'll be

All my roads lead me to you

I can't help it

Now and forever

I'm tied to you

I'm tied to you

I'm tied to you

I'm tied to you

Gunjan, I passed!

With 42 percent. Can you believe it?

What's wrong?

Did you fail?

Ninety-four percent.

So, why are you sad?

-What's this? -Have a look.

What do I say at home after getting 94 percent?

That I don't want to study, I want to be a pilot?

Okay, do one thing.

Don't be scared, just go to your dad.

Just be like, "Papa, girls my age are only chasing boys,

but I just want to chase my dreams.

Am I not the best daughter in the world?"

And Papa will agree?

-No! He's going to lose it! -This is no time for jokes, Mannu!

Look, Gunju.

If you speak up, you're going to get some flak.

But if you don't, you'll always regret it.

Let's go. You owe me a treat.

-Congratulations! -Congratulations, my dear!

-Very well done, dear! -Great work!

Gunjan, congratulations!

Very well done!

Ma!

My sweetheart, my darling, my topper is here!

What is all this?

Your dad decided to celebrate your result.

-Why? -Go and change your clothes.

-Quickly! -But where is Papa?

Cheers!

-Gunjan is the pride of Lucknow. -She's brilliant.

She loves studying.

She's never without a book.

She's made us proud.

-Cheers! -Congratulations!

Ma!

-Ma! -Kirti!

-Kirti, listen! -Hold on.

Can you take Dabboo to the bathroom? He's about to wet himself!

-I need to speak to you. -Come, baby, let's go.

Keep it in!

Congrats.

Gunju! Look, it's Topper Gunju!

-What is it? -I have to tell you something important.

Gunju, it's our song. We'll talk later.

Come on.

Give it up for Topper Gunju!

Gunju!

She's going to dance to our favorite song.

This is her favorite song.

Gunju!

Where are you going?

Dada, I…

Dada, I don't want to go to college.

Dada, I don't want to go to college.

Pilot…

Pilot…

Dada, I want to leave school and go to Delhi to be a pilot!

Have you lost your mind?

Grow up, Gunju.

Focus on college now. We'll figure it out later.

But I don't need to go to college to be a pilot.

You don't? Do you know the hardships we've faced?

I know! You were extremely poor.

-I've heard it 100 times. -You learned nothing from it.

My family was too poor to send me to college.

And this one is rejecting the opportunity! Wonderful!

-Ma, relax. She isn't going anywhere. -Why not?

I want to do this. Why are you guys being so--

You're going to live in Delhi by yourself?

Dada, you joined the Army. Why can't I be a pilot?

Fine, be a pilot. Go away. Do what you want.

Maybe I should leave and go away.

What's all this drama?

She's going to fly a plane, and I'm going to my mother's house.

For now, maybe you should handle the guests. Let me handle her.

Go.

Go on.

Children shouldn't be allowed such freedom.

-No one understands that anymore. -What's all the murmuring about?

Go. Go join your friends.

Very good.

They're kids. All kids have fights.

The good news is that everything is under control…

except Mr. Khanna.

Come now, let's get the music back on.

Thank God, Gunju agreed.

She agreed, right?

No.

I agreed.

Mr. Saxena, drink?

Tenth grade… 94 percent.

Twelfth grade…

-Where's your 12th grade report card? -I don't have it.

So, get it.

-But I haven't done 12th grade. -So, do it.

Isn't passing 10th grade the minimum requirement?

It was. Now, it's 12th grade.