For Colonel Bhupinder Shahi (retd), the transition from commanding troops in the icy heights of Siachen to orchestrating authentic battle scenes on the silver screen was a natural progression. The seasoned infantry officer, with over two decades of service in the Jammu and Kashmir Rifles, has emerged as the go-to military consultant for Bollywood, most recently for the blockbuster film Dhurandhar.
From Battlefield to Film Set: A Veteran's New Mission
A third-generation Army officer, Colonel Shahi took premature retirement in 2019 after serving in multiple counter-insurgency areas, the Kashmir Valley, and conflict zones including Kargil and Siachen. His extensive combat experience made him the obvious choice when the producers of Dhurandhar sought technical expertise. Based in Mohali, the colonel has now advised on the military aspects of nine films.
"My task essentially was to help the movie producers get the requisite permissions from the Army and the Indian Air Force (IAF), making sure that the script portrays the Army in the right way," Colonel Shahi explained. He was instrumental in liaising with the Army's Directorate of Strategic Communications and the Air HQ, especially for securing the use of an MI-17 helicopter during filming.
The shooting took the team to a location near Bazgo in Ladakh for a week, with additional scenes filmed in Chandigarh. "I could relate to many events in Dhurandhar as I have served extensively in the Kashmir valley in counter-insurgency operations and also in the Kargil conflict," he shared, noting his role in the Karokaram Wing of the Ladakh Scouts in the Batalik sector.
The Bridge Between Reel and Real
Colonel Shahi's foray into cinema began in 2019 while he was serving under Lt Gen YK Joshi in Ladakh. He was asked to provide assistance for the film Shershah, based on the life of Kargil hero Captain Vikram Batra. "Incidentally, Vikram served under me in the JAKRIF Centre in Jabalpur where I was a company commander," he recalled.
After Shershah became a hit, offers started pouring in by word of mouth. He has since collaborated with directors like Nikhil Advani and Ram Madhwani, and production houses such as Dharma Productions. Post-retirement, he initially worked in adventure tourism with Cox and Kings on projects like the Hornbill Festival and Kumbh Mela, before film consultancy took center stage.
Colonel Shahi emphasizes that a military consultant's role is crucial in an era where audiences demand realism. "We are the bridge between reel and real," he stated. His work involves conceptualizing realistic characters and scenarios, fine-tuning dialogues, and working with costume and art departments to ensure every insignia, uniform, and piece of weaponry is accurate and respects military tradition.
A Legacy of Service and Authenticity
Beyond his infantry background, Colonel Shahi's expertise is bolstered by a stint with the elite National Security Guards (NSG) and two deployments on the Siachen Glacier. This deep well of experience allows him to ensure that every salute, tactic, and line delivered by an actor in uniform resonates with truth.
He is currently working on the second part of Dhurandhar, slated for release next year, though contractual obligations prevent him from revealing details. For this veteran, ensuring that the valour and discipline of the armed forces are portrayed with unerring accuracy is more than a job—it's an extension of his service to the nation.
