Bollywood Home » Popular Movie Reviews » Bollywood Action Movies » Border Border is one of the best Bollywood war movies that enraptured the Indian audiences for generations with its setting, plot and soulful music. As one of the prominent Bollywood movies, Border was a 1997 blockbuster that hit the silver screen. Border directed by J.P. Dutta was inspired by the 1971 Indo-Pakistani war.

The cast of Border includes Sunny Deol, Sunil Shetty, Akshaye Khanna, Jackie Shroff, Sharbani Mukherjee, Pooja Bhatt and Tabu. The story of Border is roughly based on the real life incidents at the battle of Longewala that was fought in Rajasthan. This battle was fought during the Bangladesh Liberation War which culminated into Indo-Pakistani War of 1971. Since the pivotal message of this war was one of hardship and struggle against all odds, it is one of the outstanding action movies that has be screened in India. The plot speaks how about 120 soldiers belonging to the Punjab regiment from the Indian Army under Major Kuldip Singh Chandpuri were instrumental in defending their post against heavy odds. They were pitted against a tank regiment of the Pakistani army for a night after which help came ultimately from the Indian Air Force.



As the name itself suggests, the dominant idea of the film is linked to the sanctity, preservation and the struggle over international borders. J.P. Dutta has while making Border an action movie, also tried recreating the idea of the futility of wars. In the opening scene of the film, the audience is introduced to the numerous characters and their individual family. There are the intermittent song and dance sequences typical of Bollywood showcased through the engagements and weddings that are part of this film. However the second half justifies the standing of J.P. Dutta as a prominent film director with its highlight on the gruesome realities of warfare. The battle between unevenly matched forces of an outnumbered Punjab regiment and the sophisticated weaponry of Pakistan is vividly depicted.

Facts about Border also reveal the significance of its evergreen songs, which will go down in Bollywood history. They are largely composed by Anu Malik, and "sandeshey aate hai..." leaves an outstanding melodious appeal. The location of the film is in the difficult desert terrains near Bikaner in Rajasthan as well as Jaisalmer. The portion relating to the help from the Indian Air Force was shot here. Also appreciable is the endeavor for realism by J.P. Dutta that was seen in his use of equipment, especially the weapons and ammunition which were truly the property of the Indian Army.

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