1971: Beyond Borders

At every corner of the world,

wars and civil riots do not originate,

just as a civil issue of the people of that particular country.

The business interests & calculations of super-powers who control the world,

were behind them.

ln 1971 , lndia and Pakistan

became the third world preys,

of this political horse trading and a weapons deal.

Even though it is generally referred to as the Bangladesh war,

the war was fought primarily between lndia & Pakistan.

At the border states of lndia on the Western Front,

including Rajasthan, Gujarat & Punjab;

Along with the political motives of America & China,

when Pakistan started forcing its political might

and barbaric cruelty over East Pakistan;

lakhs of people who had enough of their lives there,

came knocking on lndia's border gates for refuge.

Foreseeing a disaster,

lndia warned the global powers including America & China.

lt was also an issue of the internal security of our nation.

The global powers including America ignored lndia's cries for help,

and supported Pakistan instead.

Their objective was not to help Pakistan.

lnstead, it was a well-planned weapons deal.

Even though they knew that war can only bring pain & loss,

lndia finally opened our border gates for the refugees.

Lakhs of refugees from Bangladesh, crossed the lndian border and came here.

lt was also the arrival of a war.

ln the war at the Western Front,

the brave leader of lndian Army's 33 Grenadiers, Major Sahadevan;

Lieutenant Chinmay,

Pakistan Army's Lieutenant Colonel Mohammed Akram Raja.

This film portrays the sacrifices made by these brave men.

Through that, it also talks about many unknown brave soldiers,

who sacrifice their lives at our borders,

trying to safeguard the lives of our people.

lt is also the story of the patriotism of many helpless people,

who fought amongst themselves,

and became martyrs for someone else's vested interests & political gains!

Atruthful portrayal of their devastated lives,

and broken dreams.

This film is a fitting tribute to those helpless, small & large lives.

46 years have passed.

ln a society where people forget even their parents' death anniversaries,

because of their busy lives,

there are some people.

Some soldiers who are alive.

Wherever they are,

they neverforget their colleagues who sacrificed their lives for their country,

on every anniversary of their victories.

This is their story.

Brother,

This country is so beautiful!

However beautiful it may be,

it's not as beautiful as our Pakistan!

What are you saying, brother?

We've been travelling for so long, and we haven't seen even a single girl.

Talking about girls..

Entire lndia is crazy about our girls in Pakistan!

That's absolutely right!

This place is so silent.

Then why were we sent here to rot?

Stop!

Go back.

Enough!

Turn right from here.

Team DrC

Two of you, to the left! Two of you, to the right!

Give him back-up!

Check on Rahim! - Okay Sir!

l think we're trapped, Sir.

Cover that side. Don't step out!

Cover! Cover!

What were you thinking?

By the way,

l haven't seen you guys earlier.

Sorry Sir.

Actually, we took over from the previous battalion last night, Sir.

You fool! lf something had happened to you..

lt was nice to hear an lndian soldier asking if we were all right.

That too, to a Pakistani soldier.

That concern made me smile, Sir.

Okay.

Nothing, Sir.

ltjust struck me that our battalions are meeting after46 years.

Back then, you killed 283 soldiers, including a CO.

And today, you risked your lives to save our lives!

My best wishes for the Battle Honours Day, Sir.

lf you don't mind, you can join us for the celebration.

Why would l mind, Sir?

We will be delighted to come!

Sir, do you think they'll come?

l'm sure!

The celebration is at the desert base camp.

l know! lnform them the location!

Team DrC

Long Live lndia!

They want you to talk about today's operation.

Who is the Public Relations Officer here?

lt's me.

So you deal them.

Sir, l have never given an interview to the media so far.

Then give it today!

Do you know which battalion saved us?

Why?

How does that matter?.

lt does matter!

33 Grenadiers.

You should definitely go forthe party.

And tell them,

that a Pakistani mother;

has sent her gratitude,

and blessings.

Okay.

We lndians never consider anyone as our enemies.

We have definitely fought wars.

And during those wars, we have killed many as well.

Our circumstances were such.

Back then, we had orders to kill; and today, to save them.

And, Long Live lndia!

Long Live lndia!

We should be thanking you, Colonel Sir.

l have a request.

Please tell me.

Wow, Colonel!

Your Urdu is wonderful!

Ajmal Sir, we lndians are like that.

lt is our duty to make others happy.

Athithi Devo Bhava!

Please tell me what your request is.

Colonel Sir,

lf l have your permission,

l want to speak a few words to yourtroop.

Please!

While l was coming for this celebration,

l was thinking about Colonel Raja,

who was granted martyrdom by your battalion.

l spoke to his wife,

and told her about the incident that happened this morning.

And asked herfor permission to come here.

She gave me permission.

She also asked me to convey her gratitude.

That gratitude wasn't for saving our lives.

Her gratitude was for something else.

When Pakistani troops recovered his dead body in 1971 ,

there was a letter in his pocket.

Must be written by an army officer

of your battalion.

Probably the one who killed him.

Based on that letter,

Pakistan Government gave him the highest gallantry award.

lf a soldier is praised for his bravery by his enemy,

what can be more prideful than that?

On the war-field,

only an enemy understands how well a soldier has fought!

So, forthat letter,

on behalf of Pakistan,

Colonel Raja,

and especially for myself,

l want to thank all of you from the bottom of my heart.

For me especially because,

l am Colonel Raja's son;

Colonel Ajmal Raja.

Thank you.

Thank you to all.

On this Battle Honours Day,

on behalf of the entire Pak army,

our hearty congratulations!

Good Bye.

No, Colonel Sir.

Why are you saying sorry?

Actually we are really grateful to that officer of your battalion,

who kept the letter in his pocket.

l will pass this message of yours to him.

Ya.

The person who wrote that letter & kept it in your father's pocket,

was my father.

Major Sahadevan.

That means,

Major Sir is still alive today?

As long as l'm alive,

every year, on this day;

on December 1 7th,

l will shed a drop of tear,

for you, the brave soldier.

This is a soldier's promise,

to another soldier.

Grandpa, why is it like this over here, every year?

Even l am confused.

What?

Why do you have to do this?

That too, for a Pakistani uncle?

Pakistanis are our enemies, right?

You've become used to saying that.

Not so long ago,

both them and us, belonged to the same country, right?

Anyway, aren't they our enemies right now?

There are certain relationships between us soldiers on the war-field.

lf the enemy is brave,

we don't forget them.