The Valour of a Silent Soldier: Major Mohit Sharma's Journey
The story of Major Mohit Sharma is one of extraordinary courage and the ultimate sacrifice for the nation. A decorated officer of the Indian Army's elite 1st Para (Special Forces), he was posthumously awarded the Ashoka Chakra, India's highest peacetime gallantry award. Hailing from Rohtak in Haryana, he was commissioned into the Army in December 1999 after passing out from the Indian Military Academy.
His career was defined by volunteering for the most dangerous covert missions. In a remarkable operation in 2004, operating under the deep cover alias "Iftikhar Bhatt", he successfully infiltrated a militant group in Jammu & Kashmir. His mission led to the elimination of two senior terrorists, a feat for which he was honoured with the Sena Medal.
The Ultimate Sacrifice in Kupwara
Tragedy struck in March 2009 during a fierce counter-terror operation in Kupwara, Kashmir. Leading an assault team, Major Sharma engaged terrorists, eliminated several of them, and managed to rescue his comrades while under heavy enemy fire. However, during this act of exceptional bravery, he sustained grievous injuries and succumbed to them. His actions that day cemented his legacy as one of India's finest special forces soldiers and led to the nation conferring upon him the Ashoka Chakra.
Dhurandhar Film: Inspiration or Coincidence?
When the trailer for the film Dhurandhar surfaced, it immediately sparked intense speculation among viewers familiar with Major Sharma's life. Many noted striking parallels between the film's protagonist and the real-life martyr.
The central character was shown as an undercover operative from an elite force background, involved in risky infiltration missions—a narrative that closely mirrored Major Sharma's documented exploits. Furthermore, Ranveer Singh's rugged, special forces look in the film bore a strong resemblance to publicly available images of the late Major. This visual similarity further fueled public belief that the film was based on his life.
The controversy deepened when Major Sharma's family formally objected to the film's release. They contended that the project exploited his life story without seeking permission or showing respect. The family sought legal recourse, requesting the Delhi High Court to order a private screening for them before any public release.
Clarifications from Makers and the CBFC
In response to the growing controversy, the film's director, Aditya Dhar, publicly denied any connection. He clarified that Dhurandhar is a purely fictional spy thriller and is not a biopic of the martyr.
The legal process led the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to re-examine the movie. After this review, prompted by the court, the CBFC concluded that the film bore no direct or indirect resemblance to Major Mohit Sharma's life. The board certified it as an adult-rated work of fiction, allowing its release to proceed.
Ranveer Singh's Character: Jaskirat Singh Rangi
So, who does Ranveer Singh actually portray? In the film, he plays Jaskirat Singh Rangi, a highly specialised and brutal Intelligence Bureau spy. This character operates under the undercover identity of Hamza Ali Mazari.
Jaskirat is not a conventional agent. The narrative presents him as an intelligence operative recruited from a dark past—reportedly a former prisoner—deemed expendable and moulded into a lethal instrument. His mission, central to 'Operation Dhurandhar', is to infiltrate the perilous underworld of Karachi's Lyari area and target the terrorist network led by the notorious gangster, Rehman Dakait.
A Legacy Beyond the Screen
Regardless of the cinematic debate, the life of Major Mohit Sharma stands alone as a powerful testament to silent service, intelligence, and valour. He remains an immortal figure in India's military history—an officer who voluntarily embraced the shadows for national security, prioritised mission success over personal glory, and laid down his life in the line of duty. His story continues to inspire, independent of any fictional portrayal.
