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Action drama

Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl (2020): Cast, Ratings & Plot

Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl (2020) movie poster

Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl is a 2020 action drama directed by Sharan Sharma, starring Pankaj Tripathi as Anup Saxena, Ayesha Raza Mishra and Janhvi Kapoor. It runs 1 hour 52 minutes. Its Echo Score is 72/100.

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Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl (2020) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 52m (112 min)
Director
Sharan Sharma
Genres
Action , Drama
Original language
Hindi
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl About?

The premise of Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

Inspired by the life of a fearless young officer who made history by becoming the first Indian female Air Force officer to fly in a combat zone during the 1999 Kargil War

Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl Themes & Keywords

· 21 tags
  • life
  • 1980s
  • 1990s
  • year 1984
  • year 1999
  • military
  • soldier
  • army
  • airplane
  • pilot
  • academy
  • attack
+9 more
  • enemy
  • camp
  • high school
  • school
  • based on real people
  • young
  • indo pakistani war
  • based on true story
  • character name in title
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Cast & crew

Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl Cast & Characters

Pankaj Tripathi leads the cast as Anup Saxena, with Ayesha Raza Mishra as Kirti Saxena and Janhvi Kapoor as IAF Pilot Gunjan Saxena. Directed by Sharan Sharma; 8 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl

· 4 more
From the director

More from Sharan Sharma

One more film directed by Sharan Sharma: Mr. & Mrs. Mahi.

Full filmography
Ratings

Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl Reviews & Ratings

Our Echo Score gives it 72/100, strongest in sensory experience (80) and weakest in story & flow (65).

72 /100

Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl Echo Score Breakdown

Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl delivers a modestly successful biopic experience, anchored by strong visual execution and emotionally resonant moments while being hampered by narrative inconsistencies. Critics commend the film's cinematography, background score, and the restrained portrayal of its heroine, noting an engaging if uneven storyline. User feedback is split, with one reviewer decrying direction and factual errors, another finding it inspirational, and a third offering a mixed appraisal. The net result is a solid, though imperfect, entry that appeals to viewers seeking an uplifting but not flawless tribute.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 75

    In terms of artistry, the film benefits from praised aerial photography, effective visual effects, and a generally appealing aesthetic. Critics highlight the excellent cinematography and a polished production design that enhance the training and combat sequences. Conversely, a user criticizes the direction as subpar and the editing as lacking cohesion. Overall, the visual craftsmanship is regarded as a notable strength despite isolated concerns about directorial execution.

  • Character & Emotion 70

    The character work is viewed as competent, with emotional scenes described as intense yet restrained and performances deemed reasonably decent. Reviewers note nuanced portrayals that flesh out the heroine's motivations and elicit empathy. One user, however, brands the lead actress as terrible, introducing a dissenting voice. Balancing professional praise with this criticism yields a generally positive assessment of character depth and acting quality.

  • Story & Flow 65

    Narratively, the film presents a straightforward biopic that balances melodrama with factual observation, earning commendation for its measured pacing and clear plot structure. Critics appreciate the screenplay's ability to avoid overstretching its runtime. User feedback points to significant factual inaccuracies and a perceived lack of coherence, tempering the optimism. The storyline thus emerges as engaging yet marred by credibility concerns, placing it in a mixed but leaning‑positive zone.

  • Sensory Experience 80

    Sensory elements stand out, with the background score subtly weaving magic and the sound design complementing the visual tableau. Critics repeatedly praise the immersive aerial sequences, the quality of the score, and the overall visual cohesion. No user reviews directly challenge these aspects, reinforcing the consensus. Consequently, the sensory experience is regarded as a high‑point that enhances the film’s emotional impact and realism.

  • Rewatch Factor 70

    Rewatch potential is modestly affirmed, as the film’s inspirational tone and occasional standout scenes encourage repeat viewings for some audiences. Critics describe it as an engaging one‑time watch with moments that linger, while user opinions vary from outright dismissal to enthusiastic endorsement. This divergence results in a balanced view that the film offers reasonable replay value for viewers attuned to its themes, though it may not compel universal repeat attendance.

Plot

Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl Plot Summary

What happens in Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Beginning in Lucknow, 1984, the story opens with young Gunjan Saxena on a flight with her older brother, Anshuman. A kind air hostess eases her curiosity and guides her to the cockpit, where the sight of the controls and the hum of the engine ignite a dream to become a pilot.

Full summary

The whole story of Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What is the protagonist's full name in the film?

Details

Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl Also Known As

18 alternative titles, including “卡吉尔女孩” and “巾帼凌云”.

Also known as
  • 卡吉尔女孩
  • 巾帼凌云
  • גונג'ן סקסנה: הלוחמת במרומים
  • Vojenská pilotka
  • Gunjan Saxena : Une pilote en guerre
  • A Tenente de Cargil
  • 壯志凌雲:印度頭號女飛官
  • A pilótanő
  • Ґунджан Саксена: Карґільська дівчина
  • 군잔 삭세나: 더 카르길 걸
  • Gunjan Saxena: Cô Gái Kargil
  • Gunjan Saxena The Kargil Girl
+6 more
  • Лётчица Гунджан Саксена
  • Γκουντζάν Σαξένα: Το Κορίτσι των Αιθέρων
  • グンジャン・サクセナ -夢にはばたいて-
  • Dă aripi visului
  • Gunjan Saxena: A Menina da Guerra de Kargil
  • Gunjan Saxena. Dziewczyna z Kargil

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FAQ

Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl FAQ: Cast & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, post-credit scenes and language of Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl?

Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl runs 1 hour 52 minutes (112 minutes).

When was Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl released?

Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl was released on August 12, 2020.

Who directed Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl?

Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl was directed by Sharan Sharma.

More films by Sharan Sharma

Who is in the cast of Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl?

Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl stars Pankaj Tripathi as Anup Saxena, Ayesha Raza Mishra as Kirti Saxena and Janhvi Kapoor as IAF Pilot Gunjan Saxena, among 8 credited actors.

Does Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl have a post-credit scene?

No. Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl has no extra scene during or after the credits.

What language is Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl in?

The original language of Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl is Hindi.

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