Born in 1975 in Lucknow, Gunjan Saxena grew up in a family with a strong army background—her father was an officer in the Indian Army. However, unlike many of her male counterparts, Saxena did not have a traditional path to the cockpit. In 1994, the Indian Air Force (IAF) began opening its Short Service Commission (SSC) to women in non-combat roles. Saxena seized this historic opportunity.
Biopic inspired by the life of Flight Lieutenant Gunjan Saxena, one of the first Indian female combat pilots during the 1999 Kargil War. The film follows Gunjan’s ambition to become an Indian Air Force (IAF) pilot, the gender bias and institutional obstacles she faces, her training, and courageous service during wartime medical evacuation and rescue missions.
Released in 2020, is a biographical drama that tells the inspiring story of Flight Lieutenant Gunjan Saxena, the first Indian woman Air Force officer to fly in a combat zone. Directed by Sharan Sharma, the film debuted as a Netflix original and stars Janhvi Kapoor in the titular role. Plot Overview
Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl is a sincere, inspiring biopic that trades loud patriotism for a focused, personal look at a woman’s fight for a seat at the table.
