Varun, Sriram Raghavan Reunite for Film on War Hero Arun Khetarpal

Arun Khetarpal was the youngest soldier to win the Param Vir Chakra at the age of 21.

After the massive success of Andhadhun, Sriram Raghavan is already preparing for his next project. He is reuniting with Varun Dhawan after Badlapur for a biopic on late Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal. The film will be produced by Dinesh Vijan. Khetarpal was the youngest soldier to win the Param Vir Chakra at the age of 21 for his service during the 1971 Indo-Pak war.

Speaking to The Quint, Raghavan had earlier said that the story had a Clint Eastwood feel to it.

“I like war films and this had a very Clint Eastwood kind of feel to it. How would Clint Eastwood have done this - sort of became my driving thought.”

Sriram Raghavan, filmmaker

“That’s a film when I heard the basic idea, it was not just another biopic. There was something about that story. I like war films and this had a very Clint Eastwood kind of feel to it. How would Clint Eastwood have done this - sort of became my driving thought,” Sriram said.

Now, the director spoke about how he has spent around six months researching for the story. “The courage of Arun Khetarpal during the 1971 Battle of Basantar is very well-known. Though I was very young during the ’71 war, I remember pasting black paper on windows during blackouts. This biopic is a story told over two generations of soldiers and I hope we can do justice to it,” he added.

Varun Dhawan, who will essay the role of Arun, said that playing a soldier has been his dream. “After I met Arun’s brother Mukesh, I was moved. I too have a sibling and I can’t fathom what he must have gone through. I understood why Sriram and Dinesh were so passionate about the project,” Varun said in a statement.

Dinesh Vijan said that what struck him about Arun’s life was his relationship with his father. “I lost my father five years back and I miss him every day. With this film I hope to shine some light on the boy who became a man, a reflection of his father. It’s a huge responsibility to make this biopic,” he said.