Varun Dhawan to play Param Vir Chakra recipient Arun Khetarpal

Filmmaker Sriram Raghavan, who is set to direct a film on life of youngest Param Vir Chakra recipient Arun Khetarpal, says it is most challenging subject for him. director who in August said that cast of film is yet to be finalised has zeroed in on Varun Dhawan. Yes! Varun will play a war hero and Param Veer Chakra recipient Arun Khetarpal. Confirming same to a leing tabloid, Varun said playing a soldier was on his dream list and called this 'most important' film of his career. For those unaware, Varun and Raghavan earlier worked toger in Blapur. Dinesh Vijan will be producing biopic which is tentatively titled "Ekkis".

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Varun in same interview said that he was awed when he heard Khetarpal's story and when he met Arun's bror Mukesh, he was moved. He concluded by saying that country will be proud when this story comes on silver screen. "Dinesh offered me this film and when I heard it, I found it interesting. 'Ekkis' is a working title. We are set in 1970s. It is story of two eras. We have finished script and are doing a rewrite and all," Raghavan told PTI.

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"We have eugh people from military on board. se things you can't get it wrong one bit. When you are working on a real story it is your responsibility to get everything right and stay as true and auntic as possible. It is all more challenging for me as it is t my zone, I am doing something else. But I liked story so I am doing it," he ded. Dinesh Vijay talking to a tabloid said that Arun Khetarpal was one of Poona Horse's most celebrated Lieutenants and he connected with story of his and his far. Dinesh said it's a big responsibility to share Khetarpal's story correctly and make this biopic. He wants to show how a boy became a man, a show of his far.

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ABOUT ARUN KHETARPAL

Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, PVC (14 October 1950 – 16 December 1971) born in Pune, Maharashtra, was an officer of  Indian Army and a posthumous recipient of  Param Vir Chakra, India's highest military decoration for valour in face of enemy. He was killed in action in  Battle of Basantar in Battlefield of Shakargarh during  Indo-Pakistan War of 1971.

 Param Vir Chakra citation on Official Indian Army Website res as follows:

CITATION
SECOND LIEUTENANT ARUN KHETARPAL POONAHORSE (IC-25067)

On 16 December 1971, Squron Commander of 'B' Squron, Poona Horse asked for reinforcement as Pakistani Armour which was superior in strength, counter attacked at Jarpal, in Shakargarh Sector. On hearing this transmission, Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal who was in 'A' Squron, voluntarily moved along with his troops, to assist or squron. En route, while crossing Basantar river, Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal and his troops came under fire from enemy strong points and RCL gun nests that were still holding out. Time was at a premium and as critical situation was developing in 'B' Squron sector, Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, threw caution to winds and started attacking impending enemy strong points by literally charging m, overrunning defence works with his tanks and capturing enemy infantry and weapon crew at pistol point. In commander of his troop was killed. Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal continued to attack relentlessly until all enemy opposition was overcome and he broke through towards 'B' Squron position, just in time to see enemy tanks pulling back after ir initial probing attack on this squron. He was so carried away by wild enthusiasm of battle and impetus of his own helong dash that he started chasing withdrawing tanks and even mand to shoot and destroy one. Soon reafter, enemy reformed with a squron of armour for a second attack and this time y selected sector held by Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal and two or tanks as points for ir main effort. A fierce tank fight ensured ten enemy tanks were hit and destroyed of which Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal was severely wounded. He was asked to abandon his tank but he realised that enemy though bly decimated was continuing to vance in his sector of responsibility and if he abandoned his tank enemy would break through, he gallantly fought on and destroyed ar enemy tank. At this st, his tank received a second hit which resulted in death of this gallant officer.

Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal was de but he h, by his intrepid valour saved day; enemy was denied breakthrough he was so desperately seeking. t one enemy tank got through.

Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal h shown best qualities of leership, tenacity of purpose and will to close in with enemy. This was an act of cour and self-sacrifice far beyond call of duty.

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(With inputs from PTI)