New Delhi, February 25, 2026 – In a ceremony recognizing exemplary post-retirement service, Colonel Bhupinder Shahi (Retd), a distinguished former Infantry officer, was presented with the Veteran Achievers Award by Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi. The award, bestowed during the Retiring Officers Seminar, highlights Shahi’s significant role in ensuring authentic portrayals of the Indian Armed Forces in Bollywood films, including the recent spy-action thriller Dhurandhar, as well as his ongoing efforts in veterans’ welfare.
Shahi’s contributions to Dhurandhar have been pivotal in elevating the film’s credibility, drawing on his extensive military experience to infuse realism into its depiction of intelligence operations and armed forces protocols. Commissioned into the 15th Battalion of the Jammu and Kashmir Rifles in 1991, Shahi served for over two decades in some of India’s most challenging operational environments. His assignments included counter-insurgency operations in Kashmir, deployments in Ladakh and Kargil, two tours on the Siachen Glacier, and a tenure with the elite National Security Guard for anti-terrorism duties. As a third-generation Army officer, Shahi’s deep-rooted understanding of military life has informed his transition to consultancy after opting for premature retirement in 2017.
Following his retirement, Shahi initially ventured into adventure tourism before entering the film industry as a military consultant. His cinematic involvement began with the acclaimed film Shershaah, where he drew upon his personal experiences serving alongside Captain Vikram Batra during the 1999 Kargil War. The success of Shershaah led to further opportunities, and Dhurandhar marks his ninth project in this capacity. He has collaborated with prominent directors such as Nikhil Advani and Ram Madhwani, as well as production houses including Dharma Productions and Colour Yellow Productions. Other notable films under his advisory include Kill, Veda, Freedom at Midnight, Waking of a Nation, and Fauj.
In Dhurandhar, a film centered on a long-term Indian intelligence operation involving an undercover agent in Karachi’s underworld, Shahi’s expertise ensured that military elements were portrayed with accuracy and respect. Approached by executive producer Rahul Gandhi in 2024, Shahi facilitated essential permissions from the Indian Army and Indian Air Force, enabling the use of MI-17 and Cheetah helicopters for filming. Much of the production took place in Ladakh, a region where Shahi had served extensively, allowing him to leverage his firsthand knowledge for realistic scene construction.
Beyond logistical support, Shahi’s advisory extended to training actors in critical military skills, including battlecraft, fieldcraft, communication protocols, and appropriate body language. He also guided the production team on broader aspects of military culture, such as chain of command, unit cohesion, and the psychological mindset of soldiers. Emphasizing his role, Shahi stated, “On set, the military consultant becomes the moral compass and technical expert—training actors in battlecraft, fieldcraft, communication protocols, body language, and guiding filmmakers through military culture, chain of command, unit cohesion, and the psychology of a soldier.” He further noted that the film is “an authentic film and everything depicted actually happened,” underscoring its basis in real events.
Shahi’s involvement ensured that the armed forces were depicted without negativity, aligning with his commitment to upholding the dignity of the military in popular media. “My task essentially was to help the movie producers get the requisite permissions from the Army and the Indian Air Force (IAF), making sure that the script portrays the Army in the right way, and there is no negativity of armed forces,” he explained. “The scenes that involve the military must look authentic and realistic.”
The Veteran Achievers Award also acknowledges Shahi’s broader contributions to veterans’ welfare and youth empowerment. He was one of four honorees at the ceremony, alongside Lieutenant Colonel Harbir Singh (Retd) for his work in social welfare and youth initiatives, Subedar (Honorary Lieutenant) Dnyadeo Kondiba More (Retd) for mentoring in education and sports, and Subedar (Honorary Captain) Darshan Singh (Retd) for providing legal aid to veterans. Upon receiving the award, Shahi expressed gratitude, stating, “It was a motivating force for all those veterans who continue to serve the nation after retirement.”
Looking ahead, Shahi remains engaged in the industry, with his advisory role extending to the upcoming sequel Dhurandhar 2, slated for release in March 2026. His work exemplifies how retired military personnel can continue to contribute to national narratives, bridging the gap between real-world service and cinematic representation.
