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EYE ON BOLLYWOOD MAY 30, 2025 | The Indian Eye 40
OPERATION KHUKRI
Randeep Hooda and Rahul Mittra
to produce film on real-life military
operation in Africa
Hooda will portray Major General Raj Pal Punia who navigated the stand off and
subsequently the extraordinary rescue amid intense jungle warfare in 2000
(from left to right) Randeep Hooda, Rahul Mittra and Maj Gen Punia Randeep Hooda and Rahul Mittra have acquired the rights for Maj Gen Punia’s book
OUR BUREAU tile terrains of Kailahun. What followed was a bold
counteroffensive that would become recognised as
Mumbai
one of the most successful operations in Indian mil-
ot on the heels of the massive critical and itary history.
commercial success of Jaat, Bollywood star The producing houses Rahul Mittra Films and
HRandeep Hooda is set to headline his next Randeep Hooda Films have secured exclusive ad-
major film — a gripping military drama based on one aptation rights to the Penguin Random House best-
of the Indian Army’s most daring peacekeeping mis- seller, which provides a first-hand account of the
sions abroad. expedition from Major General Punia, who oversaw
Titled Operation Khukri, the film is inspired the operation.
by the real-life events of 2000, that tells the story Speaking about the project, Randeep Hooda
of 233 soldiers who were held hostage in Sierra Le- shared, “Operation Khukri is a story that moved me
one, West Africa by rebel forces and the high risk deeply. It’s not just a tale of guns and glory, but of
rescue mission undertaken. Hooda will portray sacrifice, brotherhood, and unyielding courage in
Major General Raj Pal Punia, then a young Com- the face of insurmountable odds. To step into the
pany Commander of the 14th Mechanised Infantry shoes of Major General Punia, a man who led his
(16 Jammu and Kashmir Rifles) who navigated the men out of a 75-day siege in an unknown land, is an
stand off and subsequently the extraordinary rescue honour and a responsibility. Our aim is to bring to
amid intense jungle warfare. life a chapter of Indian military history that deserves
The film is based on Penguin Random House In- far more recognition — not just for the spectacle,
dia bestseller Operation Khukri: The Untold Story but for the spirit of our soldiers who would rather
of the Indian Army’s Bravest Peacekeeping Mission die than surrender. I believe this story has the power
Abroad, the adaptation rights of which the makers, to inspire every Indian.”
well-known filmmaker Rahul Mittra’s production The mission — once a peacekeeping effort that
house Rahul Mittra Films and Randeep’s company escalated into a fierce standoff — tested the mettle of
Randeep Hooda Films have secured exclusively. the Indian contingent, surrounded without supplies
The mission started as a peacekeeping effort for 75 days in the hostile terrains of Kailahun. What
but escalated into a tense 75-day standoff that test- followed was an audacious, never-before-seen coun-
ed the resolve of the Indian contingent, who found teroffensive that would be remembered as one of the
themselves surrounded without supplies in the hos- most successful operations in Indian military history.
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