IAF pens letter to CBFC opposing ‘undue negative portrayal' in Gunjan Saxena biopic

New Delhi, Aug 13: The Indian Air Force (IAF) has written to the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) complaining against its "undue negative portrayal" in the movie Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl', which has been released on Netflix on Tuesday.

 

"Dharma Productions had agreed to represent Indian Air Force (IAF) with authenticity and make all efforts to ensure that the film helps to inspire the next generation of IAF officers," the Air Force said in its letter to the censor board. It has also sent the letter to Netflix and Dharma Productions.

 

 

However, when the trailer of the movie was released recently, it was observed that "certain scenes and dialogues in the movie and its trailer, which was forwarded to this office for viewing, have been found to portray the IAF in an undue negative light." The makers in the aim to glorify the protagonist character of 'Ex-Fit Lt Gunjan Saxena', M/s Dharma Productions presented some situations that are misleading and portray an inappropriate work culture especially against women in the IAF, the letter added.

 

 

It also stated in the letter that the Karan Johar-owned Dharma Productions was "informed about the objectionable portion of the movie and was advised to delete/modify the same. However, the production house has not deleted the scenes but it proposed a media plan in the run-up to the release and insert a disclaimer in the movie."

 

IAF is first amongst the three services that have granted a commission to women officers in branches other than the medical branch and now all branches of IAF are open for both genders including the Fighter stream of Flying Branch. The initial batch of Permanent Commission (PC) officers in the flying branch are already holding appointments of Flt Cdr (second in command) of operational flying units and some units are being commanded by women officers.