The Real Life Story Of Captain Vikram Batra, The Man Sidharth Malhotra Will Play In Yeh Dil Mangey More!

Captain Vikram Batra is a name that the military forces of the other countries would fear and a force that the Indian Army would reckon with. He was called the Sher Shah of India, because of his bravery and his ability to smile in the face of danger. The recipient of the Param Vir Chakra had laid down his life for the country at the age of just 24 years, but his heroism is something that is still talked about. That is probably the reason why Karan Johar has announced a biopic on Captain Batra with Sidharth Malhotra playing the lead. Here are a few aspects from the life of Sher Shah of India that makes him a hero:

1. He forwent a lucrative offer to serve his country

Vikram had always been an all-rounder. He had been a meritorious student and a good sportsman. During his college days, he joined the Air Wing of the National Cadet Corps (NCC) and had also been awarded as the best NCC Air Wing cadet of Punjab Directorate in North Zone. He slowly became the Senior Under Officer of his NCC unit. Once he had taken part in the Republic Day Parade as a part of the NCC and that is when he realised that he wanted to join the Army.

While in college, he was selected for the merchant navy at a shipping company headquartered in Hong Kong, but let it go saying, "Money is not everything in life; I have to do something bigger in life, something great, something extraordinary, which may bring fame to my country."

He went on to prepare for Combined Defense Services, cracked it and subsequently joined the army!

2. His bravery and merit

Vikram was a man who did not know fear. Once when he had come back home during a leave, an acquaintance had told him to be careful, to which he said, "I'll either come back after raising the Indian flag in victory or return wrapped in it. But I'll come for sure."

He had been moved to Kargil and was ordered to recapture Point 5140 in his first major battle in the war. It was a crucial and tactical attack, with the enemy at an advantageous position. But Vikram and his men won and this was the time when he said, "Yeh Dil Mangey More"!

3. A man of wit

Vikram Batra is remembered for the words he spoke. He was jovial and what he said were often quoted. His slogan to communicate mission success, "Yeh Dil Mangey More", is something one would instantly associate with him! He also revealed once that the enemy troupes addressed him as 'Sher Shah'. in his last conversation with his family, he had said, "Mommy, ek dum fit hoon, fikar mat karna", ("I'm absolutely fine. Don't you worry.") 

4. A romantic and filmy man at heart

The tough man from outside was very filmy in reality. In fact, as his girlfriend, Dimple Cheema, had revealed, he had always shown gestures that would melt anybody's heart. In fact, his love story blossomed when he enrolled himself at Punjab University. He had also planned to marry her, once he returned from Kargil, but that never happened. 

She revealed how while doing a “parikrama” in the Mansa Devi temple during a leave, he took his duppatta in his hands and on completing the "parikrama", he said, “Congratulations, Mrs. Batra”.

She also revealed that once when she felt particularly insecure and raised the topic of marriage, he cut his thumb with his blade and painted her "maang" with his blood! She often teased him and called him "filmy".

5. His death

He was posted for ‘Operation Vijay’ to capture peak Drass. In this mission, he had gained an upper hand on the enemy. But while saving a soldier to safety, he was fatally shot in his chest and head. He was posthumously conferred a Param Vir Chakra for his bravery in the mission.

We have seen Abhishek Bachchan portray the Captain in J.P Dutta's L.O.C: Kargil

We will eagerly wait for his biopic and to see how Sidharth Malhotra plays this part!