‘Real Heroes’: New series pays tribute to India’s soldiers, freedom fighters
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Mumbai: Sony Liv has announced an original docuseries titled 'Real Heroes', dedicated to honouring the sacrifices and service of Indian Armed Forces veterans and freedom fighters. The eight-part series, directed by bestselling author and filmmaker Anirban Bhattacharyya, pays tribute to generations of Indians who have defended the country’s sovereignty, values, and spirit through extraordinary courage and conviction.
'Real Heroes' captures deeply personal stories from individuals who have withstood extreme conditions and made profound sacrifices—from the icy isolation of Siachen to the underground resistance of India’s freedom movement. The series offers a moving, human portrayal of service, honour, and patriotism.
Lt Gen Sanjay Kulkarni (Retd), a war hero and veteran of Operation Meghdoot (1984), reflects on the brutal terrain of Siachen, saying, “Siachen is not a place you conquer; it is a place that tests your will to survive. We went there not just to hold ground but to uphold India’s honour in the harshest climate on earth. Here, great courage and fortitude is the norm.”
Col. DPK Pillay (Shaurya Chakra), hailing from Kannur in Kerala, recounts a poignant moment during Operation Rakshak in Manipur in 1994. Despite being wounded, he gave up his evacuation for two injured children. “In the chaos of battle in Manipur, I learned that true soldiering means saving lives, not taking them,” he shared. “The villagers’ gratitude stayed with me—and years later, they called me back, not with bitterness, but with honour. In their resilience, I saw that even in war, humanity speaks without words, and gratitude never fades.”
From Punjab, Col. Jasbir Singh, who was grievously injured in the 1971 Indo-Pak war during Operation Cactus-Lily, recalls the moment he stepped on a mine and lost his foot. “But I did not lose my purpose. That war taught me to live with honour, no matter the cost,” he said.
The series also features the voice of 101-year-old freedom fighter G.G. Parikh from Mumbai, who was imprisoned for ten months during the Quit India movement. Recalling the era of underground resistance, he said, “We fought without weapons, but with a relentless spirit. We were imprisoned, but never silenced. Freedom was earned by ordinary people doing extraordinary things. And today, I fear we have forgotten the quiet strength of civil disobedience, of selflessness. That’s why I speak—to remember, and to remind.”
Brig. Shamsher Singh, who took part in the 1965 Battle of Haji Pir, recounted the intense mission through mountainous terrain. “The Haji Pir pass wasn’t just terrain—it was an identity, a cause. We were told to expect 100% casualty and we were prepared to die,” he recalled.
Gour Hari Das from Odisha, blessed by Mahatma Gandhi, described his lifelong battle for recognition as a freedom fighter. “I fought to free India before 1947, and I fought bureaucracy after. Both battles demanded patience and faith. I only ever wanted to be acknowledged as a freedom fighter,” he said.
Lt Col B.T. Pandit, a veteran of the 1971 Battle of Basantar from Pune, Maharashtra, spoke of his experience on the battlefield. “I was sitting on the top of the tank and riding towards the enemy. I could hear the bullets ricocheting off the tank. On the battlefield, you don’t think of your life—you think of your nation,” he said.
Commodore Medioma Bhada, a naval pilot from Mumbai, participated in a mission to bomb Chittagong in 1971. He vividly remembered launching from INS Vikrant in a Sea Hawk aircraft under strict radio silence. “We were flying low over enemy harbours, knowing we might not return. But in uniform, fear takes a back seat to duty. We were young men flying into enemy fire and our brief was clear—destroy the targets at any cost,” he recalled.
Meenakshi Menon, Founder of Gen S Life, the platform supporting the series, said, “This initiative aligns with Gen S Life’s core mission—to serve and celebrate India’s senior citizens. These stories are a powerful reminder that history lives in people. By honouring their voices, we are not only remembering the past but investing in a more grateful future.”
Director Anirban Bhattacharyya reflected on the emotional impact of the series, saying, “'Real Heroes' has been one of the most humbling experiences of my life. These are not just stories; they are legacies, lived and carried by men who gave a part of themselves for India.”
Lt Gen (Retd) Sanjay Kulkarni added, “This is an endeavour to motivate the present generation with deeds of yesteryears which have geo-strategic reverberations for our future generations. I compliment and laud this great initiative of Gen S Life for honouring our great soldiers, for whom 'Naam, Namak, Nishan' is a call worth sacrificing their lives for the nation. Jai Hind.”
With IANS inputs
