I feel grateful to have met the BSF jawans, and live and train with them: Rana Daggubati

Last December, discovery+, an aggregated real-life entertainment and learning app, announced it was foraying into the world of exclusive Indian originals. Now, as the nation gears up to celebrate its 72nd Republic Day, the app will launch one of its most-anticipated shows, Mission Frontline, on January 21.

Featuring celebrated actor Rana Daggubati, Mission Frontline highlights the life of the Border Security Force (BSF), our frontline heroes, fighting at the border to keep the country safe. In the special episode, Rana will have a first-hand experience of the difficult life of a BSF Jawan and live with the border men at the Murar Post, Jaisalmer.

The audience will get to see Rana in a never-seen-before avatar, performing tasks just like a jawan, including physical training routines like learning to salute, running drill with weapons and backpack, fireman’s lift and hurdle jump. Taking the training and preparations a notch higher, Rana also learnt to use weapons, firing live rounds, patrolling on camel, taking part in a simulated mission to track down and neutralise infiltrators and traveling on sand scooters, among many other gruelling tasks.

Talking about his experience, Rana says, “India’s Border Security Force, or the country’s first line of defense, has no holidays, breaks and breathers. If it isn’t for those bravehearts always on their toes, our nation stands at risk. I feel grateful to have been able to meet them, live with them and train with them. As a civilian and countryman, this experience gave me perspective on what goes into guarding our frontiers, 24/7. These jawans are our lifeline, our guarantee to sovereignty, and they’re the true heroes. Going by what I experienced in Jaisalmer, Mission Frontline is a tribute to those jawans’ grit and spirit, with the intention to drive home some inspiration and gratitude for our defense forces, whose service we often take for granted.”

The Jaisalmer base camp has one of the richest histories, as it is home to rich martial traditions and a witness to numerous battles. Providing an intimate glimpse into the lives of border men, this documentary is bound to evoke a deep sense of appreciation for these unsung heroes.

Ms. Soumya Vajpayee
Senior Entertainment  & Lifestyle Journalist