Who was Major Mohit Sharma? The Ashok Chakra awardee at the heart of the Dhurandhar controversy

Major Mohit Sharma was a decorated Indian Army officer awarded the Ashoka Chakra, the nation’s highest peacetime gallantry award. He served in the Special Forces and is remembered for extraordinary bravery in Kupwara, Jammu & Kashmir, where he led his team and sacrificed his life in March 2009 during an anti-terror operation. His story has inspired admiration and controversy surrounding the portrayal of his life in the film Dhurandhar.

Key facts

Major Mohit Sharma served in the Indian Army’s Para (Special Forces) and was widely recognized for valor.
He was posthumously awarded the Ashoka Chakra for his actions in Kupwara, where he engaged terrorists and sustained life-threatening injuries while ensuring the safety of his team.
The Dhurandhar film project has drawn objections from Sharma’s family, who argue that the portrayal mirrors real covert operations without consent or proper safeguards, raising concerns over the use of a martyr’s legacy for commercial purposes.
Additional context about his early career notes his aim to join elite special forces, subsequent assignments in Kashmir, and prior gallantry recognition (e.g., Sena Medal) before his Ashoka Chakra award.

Quotes

“Major Mohit Sharma inspires many people throughout India. His courage, leadership and love of his country inspire many younger people to join the Armed Forces.”
“For his extraordinary valor and sacrifice, Major Mohit Sharma was posthumously awarded the Ashok Chakra, India’s highest peacetime gallantry award.”

Context and impact

Sharma’s legacy continues to influence discussions about military heroism, representation in cinema, and the ethics of portraying real soldiers in entertainment.
The family’s legal and ethical concerns highlight the tension between storytelling and the rights and dignity of fallen service members.

Author’s summary A concise portrait of Major Mohit Sharma: a fearless Special Forces officer awarded the Ashoka Chakra, whose legacy faces contemporary debate over cinematic portrayal and respectful treatment of martyrdom.

mint — 2025-12-06

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