In a distinguished event held in New Delhi, Colonel Bhupinder Shahi (Retd) was honored with the Veteran Achievers Award, recognizing his outstanding contributions to both the military and the film industry. Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi presented the award during the Retiring Officers Seminar, underscoring Shahi’s pivotal role in ensuring accurate representations of the Indian Armed Forces in popular cinema, notably in the recent spy-action thriller, Dhurandhar.
Shahi’s extensive experience as a former Infantry officer has significantly influenced his work in the film industry, particularly in projects that demand authenticity in the portrayal of military operations. Working on Dhurandhar, he brought invaluable insights into the nuances of intelligence operations and military protocols, enhancing the film’s overall credibility. His military career commenced when he was commissioned into the 15th Battalion of the Jammu and Kashmir Rifles in 1991, leading to over two decades of service characterized by challenging assignments, including counter-insurgency operations in Kashmir and deployments in Ladakh and Kargil.
Having opted for premature retirement in 2017, Shahi transitioned from military to cinematic consultancy, initially entering the adventure tourism sector before making his mark in Bollywood. His work as a military consultant began with the film Shershaah, where he recounted his experiences alongside Captain Vikram Batra during the Kargil War. Following the success of Shershaah, Shahi has since lent his expertise to eight additional film projects, collaborating with high-profile directors and production houses.
In his latest work on Dhurandhar, which explores a long-term Indian intelligence operation in Karachi’s underworld, Shahi’s contributions were instrumental in portraying military elements accurately and respectfully. He played a crucial role in securing permissions from the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force to utilize MI-17 and Cheetah helicopters for filming, with much of the production taking place in Ladakh—a region familiar to Shahi from his service.
His advisory work extended well beyond logistics; Shahi trained actors in essential military skills and provided guidance on military culture, including communication protocols and the psychological mindset inherent to soldiers. Reflecting on his role, he described military consultants on film sets as “the moral compass and technical expert” who ensure authenticity in military depictions. Shahi reiterated the importance of portraying the armed forces positively in media, emphasizing that the film should reflect real events without compromising the dignity of military personnel.
The Veteran Achievers Award presented to Shahi also acknowledged his broader work in veterans’ welfare and youth empowerment. Alongside Shahi, three other veterans were recognized for their contributions—Lieutenant Colonel Harbir Singh (Retd) for his initiatives in social welfare, Subedar (Honorary Lieutenant) Dnyadeo Kondiba More (Retd) for his mentoring efforts in education and sports, and Subedar (Honorary Captain) Darshan Singh (Retd) for providing legal assistance to veterans. Shahi expressed gratitude for the award, highlighting its significance for his fellow veterans who continue to serve the nation after retirement.
Looking to the future, Shahi is set to extend his consultancy role into the sequel, Dhurandhar 2, expected to release in March 2026. His journey exemplifies the impactful contributions that retired military personnel can make in shaping national narratives, bridging the gap between real military service and its cinematic representation.
