After the success of ‘Dhurandhar’, Aditya Dhar is reportedly in talks for a biopic on legendary Ahom general Lachit Borphukan. As per reports, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma claimed that the state government is in talks with the ‘Uri: The Surgical Strike’ director for a film on the Ahom general, who is known for his victory in the Battle of Saraighat in 1671 against the Mughals.

Whether or not the reported project materialises, it could pave the way for many more such stories of Indian military strategists that can be brought to the big screen.

From the Sikh Empire's fiercest general to a Maratha naval commander who challenged European powers, here are five military leaders whose stories should be embraced in a standalone Bollywood film.

Hari Singh Nalwa (1791-1837):

Known for the expansion of the Sikh empire and also defending it, Hari Singh Rawal served under Maharaja Ranjit Singh as one of his generals.

It was under Nawal’s leadership that the Sikh empire carried out successful campaigns in Kashmir, Peshawar, Attock, Sialkot, Multan, Jamrud, and Kasur. These were the regions that were vulnerable to invaders.

He fought many battles, including the Battle of Sialkot, the Battle of Jammu, the Battle of Attock, and the Battle of Jamrud. Known for his excellent warrior skills, especially after the Battle of Jamrud, Nalwa became a legendary warrior. It’s believed that Afghan mothers would often use his name to scare mischievous children.

Zorawar Singh Kahluria (1786-1841):

Dogra general Zorawar Singh Kahluria is known for carrying out successful military campaigns in some of the world’s toughest terrain. Serving under Jammu’s Raja Gulab Singh, he was successful in annexing Ladakh and Baltistan into the Dogra Kingdom. A Dogra Rajput himself, he also launched a campaign in western Tibet. Khaluria carried out campaigns in extreme altitude areas of snow-capped mountain passes, which make his campaigns some of the most remarkable feats in the history of military. Although he lost his life during the Tibet campaign, Kahluria remains one of the greatest military generals of India.

Baji Prabhu Deshpande (1615-1660):

Maratha general of the 17th century, Baji Prabhi Deshpande, is known for the Battle of Pavan Khind, where he, along with a small contingent of Maratha warriors, sacrificed his life defending Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj from the Bijapur forces of Siddi Jauhar. After Shivaji Maharaj escaped from the siege of Panhala, Baji Prabhu and his contingent stopped at the Ghodkhind (Horse’s pass) to fight the Bijapur forces, allowing Shivaji Maharaj to reach Vishalgarh. Baji Prabhu, despite being heavily injured, continued to fight against the Bijapur forces until he heard the fire cannon, which was fired from Vishalgarh, announcing Maharaj’s safe return. Baji Prabhu and all his men eventually laid their lives at Ghodkhind. Honouring their ultimate sacrifice, Shivaji Maharaj renamed Ghodkhin to Pavankhind, meaning sacred pass.

Although two Marathi films titled ‘Pawankhind’ and ‘Har Har Mahadev’ have already been made, a full-fledged Hindi feature film is yet to be made.

Rani Abbakka Chowta:

The first Tuluva queen of Ullal (in present-day Karnataka), Rani Abbakka Chowta, is known for resisting the Portuguese colonial expansion. Being a port town situated strategically on the coast of the Arabian Sea, the Portuguese made several attempts over a period of four decades to capture Ullal; however, they failed due to Rani Abbakka’s repulsion. Due to her fearlessness, she also came to be known as ‘Abhaya Rani, meaning the fearless queen. Despite her remarkable achievements, her story of valour is limited mostly to South India, even though she has also been regarded as the first woman freedom fighter of our country, before Rani Laxmibai of Jhansi.

Kanhoji Angre (1669-1729):

A Maratha naval military general, Kanhoji Angre, commanded Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s naval fleet along the Konkan coast. Angre is credited with building a naval force of the Marathas that used to attack British, Portuguese, and Dutch navies. Colonial forces launched several expeditions against him, but Angre’s mastery of naval warfare made him repeatedly defeat them. Angre is regarded as one of the most skilled navy chiefs in India’s maritime history.