Filmmaker Ananth Mahadevan announced on Tuesday a documentary film titled ‘Veterans of War – The India Story’, which will feature real-life stories and interviews with 20 Indian armed forces gallantry awardees.

The film, which will commemorate India’s 75th anniversary of independence, was produced by Ashvin Gidwani of AGP World in collaboration with the Navy Foundation, Mumbai Chapter (NFMC).

Aside from first-person accounts and true-life narratives, Mahadevan is expected to film and document the second edition of the Veterans Day Parade, which will see over 700 veterans march in unison from Nariman Point in South Mumbai to Marine Drive on January 8.

The Veterans Day Parade, which takes place on January 14 every year, will return in 2023 after a two-year hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic, PTI reported from Mumbai.

“This is India’s biggest march of pride…the veterans of the armed forces who are the sentinels of the nation. A toast to our country’s ‘kavach’,” Mahadevan said in a statement.

The parade will be included in the documentary film, which will be led by Cdr Vijay Vadhera, a 1971 war veteran and president of the NFMC. The goal of celebrating Veterans Day, which is an initiative of the Indian Defence Services, according to Vadhera, is to instil compassion, empathy, and respect for veterans among the general public.

“It is a unique initiative to acknowledge and honor the selfless devotion and sacrifice of our veterans who even after retiring are always in search of opportunities to serve the nation.

“Military veterans frequently receive special treatment in their respective countries as a result of the sacrifices they made during wars. Many countries have long standing traditions, ceremonies, and holidays in place to honor their veterans,” Vadhera added.

The founder of AGP World, Ashvin Gidwani, stated that they are honoured to collaborate on Veterans Of War, an endeavor aimed at bringing forth valiant stories of unsung heroes who have fought for the country.

The documentary film is supported by NCPA, Federal Bank and Transworld.