Across generations, Shah Rukh Khan, Hrithik Roshan, Diljit Dosanjh, and Abhay Verma have each embodied the spirit of the uniform in distinctly memorable ways
Bollywood’s most compelling tributes to the armed forces have often come through its leading men, actors who bring dignity, restraint, and emotional weight to stories rooted in duty and sacrifice. Across generations, Shah Rukh Khan, Hrithik Roshan, Diljit Dosanjh, and Abhay Verma have each embodied the spirit of the uniform in distinctly memorable ways.
Shah Rukh Khan’s Squadron Leader Veer Pratap Singh in Veer-Zaara remains iconic, an Air Force officer defined by honour, silence, and sacrifice, where patriotism was expressed through emotional restraint rather than spectacle. Veer Pratap Singh – one can never forget SRK’s timeless portrayal after all!
Bringing scale and contemporary intensity to the genre, Hrithik Roshan took flight as an Indian Air Force pilot in Fighter. With high-octane aerial sequences and a strong emotional core, Hrithik redefined the modern on-screen Air Force hero for a new generation.
In
_Border 2_, Diljit Dosanjh stepped into the shoes of the decorated Nirmaljit Singh Sekhon, a role that carried forward the legacy of the cult classic Border. Known for his grounded performances, Diljit brings a human, lived-in quality to the soldier’s journey, balancing patriotism with vulnerability.
In Tere Ishk Mein, Dhanush played Shankar, an Air Force Pilot juggling between betrayal, father’s loss and personal aspirations. Dhanush’s portrayal won over the critics as well as the audiences. Not to miss his chiseled appearance, adding cherry on the cake.
Completing the lineage is Abhay Verma, who delivers one of his most serious performances yet in
_Operation Safed Sagar_. Portraying real-life Kargil hero RS Dhaliwal, Abhay captures the quiet courage, discipline, and emotional gravity of Indian Air Force officers during the conflict.
Together, these portrayals show how Bollywood’s depiction of the armed forces has evolved, from poetic restraint to spectacle-driven realism, while never losing sight of respect, responsibility, and reverence for the uniform.
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