Gujarati camps on Wagah border to make film on Border Security Force

VADODARA: When a first-of-its-kind film on the life and achievements of Border Security Force (BSF) personnel will be played to a huge audience on Wagah Border later this year, part of the acclaim will also go to a Gujarati from the city. Vashishth Upadhyaya (25) is the only one from Gujarat in the eight-member team that is producing the film. Upadhyaya has done cinematography for the film that has been shot at Wagah border, Attari station, river Sutlej and Husseiniwala border.
The short film will be screened on huge screens at Wagah border ahead of the Retreat Ceremony (lowering of flags) that is held daily. Upadhyaya and the entire film-making team stayed near the border for five days between April 11 and April 16 and shot at various locations. The film is being made by a well-known Bollywood director and producer, who has worked with many famed actors. "The BSF wanted us to make a film depicting the life of its personnel on the border, their achievements, how the force came into existence and the relations between the BSF and locals. It invited the director to make a film on them. And, a contract was signed," Upadhyaya, an entrepreneur told TOI.
When asked why the BSF was interested in making such a film, Upadhyaya said, "Thousands of people visit Wagah border everyday to watch the retreat ceremony. Most of them don't know about BSF, efforts put in by them to guard the border, their lifestyle and preparations for the ceremony. This film would be shown to the tourists during the waiting period before the ceremony everyday." He said that it will also be released across the country on DVDs.
Upadhyaya said the contract signed between BSF and the director doesn't allow him to publicize the director's name. "Hence, I cannot reveal his name. But, the entire team, barring me, was from Mumbai. We talked with BSF jawans, took shots of their routine life and how they spend their days at the border. It was a great learning experience for me and I am proud to be a part of such first-of-its-kind film," Upadhyaya said.
"The best part was shooting the retreat ceremony at Wagah border. It evokes nationalistic feelings," he recalled. The film may be released by July this year.