“Real Heroes”: A Heartfelt Tribute to India’s Seniors

Mumbai: Gen S Life, in partnership with Sony LIV, has launched an original eight-episode docuseries titled “Real Heroes”, which chronicles the powerful personal stories of India’s freedom fighters and retired armed forces veterans. Directed by Anirban Bhattacharyya, the series is streaming exclusively on Sony LIV’s YouTube channel. This docuseries is a significant effort in Gen S Life’s mission to honor, amplify, and preserve the voices of India’s senior citizens. Many of these stories have remained under‑celebrated and unheard until now  From the harsh terrain of Siachen to the underground movements of the freedom struggle, the narratives offer intimate glimpses into the human cost of courage, conviction, and service/

Featured veterans include:

• Lt Gen (Retd) Sanjay Kulkarni (PVSM, AVSM, SC, SM, VSM), veteran of Operation Meghdoot (1984), reflecting on the extreme conditions of Siachen: “Siachen is not a place you conquer; it is a place that tests your will to survive”

• Col DPK Pillay (Shaurya Chakra), recounting his experiences during Operation Rakshak (1994) in Manipur, where he chose to prioritize saving injured children over himself

• Col Jasbir Singh, a hero of Operation Cactus‑Lily (1971 Indo‑Pak war), whose battlefield injury taught him the value of living with honor

• Dr G.G. Parikh, a 101-year‑old freedom fighter from Mumbai, who served 10 months in prison during the Quit India Movement and warns that India may have forgotten the quiet power of civil disobedience and selfless service

• Others featured include Brig Shamsher Singh (AVSM) (Haji Pir battle, 1965), Gour Hari Das, Lt Col B.T. Pandit (PVSM, VRC), and Commodore Medioma Bhada, each sharing firsthand experiences from major military campaigns

Meenakshi Menon, Founder of Gen S Life, emphasized that “Real Heroes” aligns with their core mission—to serve and celebrate India’s senior citizens. She added that honoring these voices is not just about remembering the past, but also building a more grateful future

Director-producer Anirban Bhattacharyya described the series as a humbling journey: “These are not just stories; they are legacies… lived and carried by men who gave a part of themselves for India”.

Lt Gen (Retd) Sanjay Kulkarni called the docuseries a vital effort to inspire future generations, saying that for veterans, “Naam, Namak, Nishan” (name, honor, insignia) is worth any sacrifice—finishing with a resounding Jai Hind.