Maya took his hand. "They can hang our bodies, Suraj. But they cannot hang an idea. We lit the fire. Even if we die, the story of the Forgotten Army will reach the villages. It will reach the soldiers still serving the British."
The Forgotten Army – Azaadi Ke Liye is not a perfect war epic. It suffers from pacing issues and relies too heavily on Bollywood-style melodrama. However, its importance lies in its intent. In an era where history is often reduced to hashtags, Kabir Khan’s series serves as a vital educational tool.
Follows young Lieutenant Surinder Sodhi and his unit as they transition from British Indian Army soldiers to the INA after the British surrender in Singapore. They march nearly 3,900 km toward Delhi with the war cry "Challo Dilli".
The Forgotten Army - Azaadi Ke Liye is more than just a series; it's a tribute to the unsung heroes of India's freedom struggle. The show's release in 2020 marked a significant milestone in India's history, as it brought to light the often-overlooked stories of Indian soldiers who fought against the British. The Forgotten Army - Azaadi Ke Liye -2020- S01 ...
A brave soldier who transitions from a British colonial officer to a leader in the INA.
The series revives conversation about a neglected facet of anti-colonial resistance, prompting viewers to reconsider the many forms of struggle that contributed to independence and the costs borne by ordinary soldiers.
The INA was born out of the Indian diaspora in Southeast Asia, particularly in Singapore and Malaysia. During World War II, thousands of Indian soldiers, sailors, and civilians were captured by the Japanese while serving in the British Indian Army. The Japanese, seeking to weaken British colonial rule, saw an opportunity to create a military force composed of Indians who were willing to fight for their freedom. Maya took his hand
Follows Lieutenant Sodhi (Sunny Kaushal) and the formation of the INA after the Fall of Singapore. It chronicles their alliance with the Japanese and their grueling march toward Delhi.
The series follows the journey of Indian soldiers who, after being captured by the Japanese during the fall of Singapore in 1942, joined the INA to fight against British colonial rule for India's independence.
| Character | Portrayed by | Description | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | Sunny Kaushal | The protagonist, a conflicted soldier who rises to become a Captain in the INA. Sunny Kaushal's performance was widely acclaimed as the "find of the season". | | Maya Srinivasan | Sharvari Wagh | A passionate photographer from a Tamil immigrant family in Singapore, who joins the Rani of Jhansi Regiment. Sharvari made an impressive acting debut in this role. | | Old Surinder Sodhi | M.K. Raina | The elderly, 70-year-old veteran who serves as the emotional anchor for the present-day timeline, haunted by his memories. | | Amar | Karanvir Malhotra | The young, idealistic grand-nephew of Old Sodhi, whose journey of discovery forms the backbone of the 1996 timeline. | | Rasamma | T.J. Bhanu | A former plantation worker whose character arc powerfully represents the marginalized communities that joined the INA. | | Arshad | Rohit Chaudhary | Sodhi's loyal and brave friend and fellow soldier. | | Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose | Brijeshkumar Jha | The revered leader whose stirring speeches and vision inspire the formation of the INA. | | Narrator | Shah Rukh Khan | Lending his iconic voice to narrate key portions of the series, adding a layer of gravitas to the narrative. | We lit the fire
As India continues to celebrate its independence and freedom, The Forgotten Army serves as a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made by its freedom fighters. The series is a must-watch for anyone interested in history, patriotism, and the human spirit.
Khan revealed that they had to import vintage guns and create period-appropriate cycles from scratch to ensure authenticity in the war sequences. The series also incorporates a blend of real archival footage, particularly during the historical context segments narrated by Shah Rukh Khan, grounding the fictional narrative in reality.