Photo Gallery: Hero of Longewala battle Brigadier Kuldip Singh Chandpuri inspired Sunny Deol's character in 'Border'

1971 war hero, Brigadier Kuldeep Singh Chandpuri, breathed his last at the age of 78 in Mohali on Saturday.  The military veteran was suffering from cancer. He was the recipient of country's second highest gallantry award, Mahavir Chakra for defending the Longewala Post. Chandpuri, who was the Army major during the 1971 war, held his post through the night in the famous battle of Longewala in Rajasthan with just 120 men against the 2000-3000 strong assault force of Pakistani army. Filmmaker JP Dutta was inspired by his heroics and decided to make a film on the Battle of Longewala titled 'Border'. Chandpuri's role was essayed by actor Sunny Deol in the film. 

 

Sunny, playing the part of Chandpuri, depicted exceptional courage and determination in the film. The film focuses on how he encouraged his soldiers to fight the enemy until reinforcements arrived. The film released in 1997 and turned out to be the highest grossing film of the year in the country. The songs of this movie became extremely popular and evergreen, especially the patriotic song 'Sandeshe Aate Hain' which attained huge appreciation and soon became a patriotic anthem. 

With the film, JP Dutta intended to make an appeal against the war. The climax of the film shows most of the soldiers, dead and the pain and trauma it causes to their family members.

Brigadier Chandpuri had joined the Indian Army in 1962 and was commissioned to the 23rd Battalion of The Punjab Regiment.

For his bravery, valour and spirit, Brigadier Chandpuri was the recipient of many awards and honours. Prominent among these were the Maha Vir Chakra - for defending the Longewala Post, and the Vishisht Seva Medal.