In order to stay true to their research backend approach for the film, the makers of Paltan went an extra mile as the real war heroes from 1967 helped filmmaker JP Dutta recreate the sets of Paltan.
Lieutenant Attar Singh and Major Bishan Singh and family of Captain Dagar (real war hero who was part of the war in 1967) helped the filmmakers to recreate the sets in Ladakh.
“I meet all the officers with the help of their respective battalions. The commanding officer of the battalion gives me the contact and then I start my research. Attar Singh came on our sets and he pointed out and zeroed in on the feature that was closest to Nathula,” said JP Dutta ,while talking about his encounter with the real-life soldiers.
He further added, “They live in Delhi and Jaipur respectively… I have met their families and interacted with them very closely.”
JP Dutta, who almost took a year for the research, said, “It look me close to a year…I start with getting in touch with the heroes and their families and then I start getting my facts right and keep it as real as I possibly can for cinema.”
Based on the Nathu La military clashes of 1967, which took place along the Sikkim border, Paltan showcases an untold story of the Indian forces facing off in an intense battle to ward off a Chinese infiltration.
This war drama starring an ensemble cast of Arjun Rampal, Sonu Sood, Gurmeet Choudhary, Harshvardhan Rane and Siddhant Kapoor among others will complete India’s biggest war trilogy.
Renowned filmmaker JP Dutta returns to direction after 12 years with Paltan. The national-award winning director had earlier treated the audience with war films like the border, LOC Kargil, and Refugee among others.
The film promises to tell the riveting, untold story of the bravest of Indian soldiers who fought with their brothers next to them till the end.
Presented by Zee Studio and produced by JP Dutta films, ‘Paltan’ is slated to be released on 7 September.