Janhvi Kapoor starrer 'Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl' has stirred up a storm following its release. Concerns have been raised about its historical accuracy, particularly about Gunjan's stature as the first female IAF pilot to fly in combat zone. Retired Flight Lieutenant Sreevidya Rajan has now claimed that she was the first female pilot, and not Gunjan.
Sreevidya says it was an oversight on the filmmakers' part to not include any mention of her at all. “I cannot question a filmmaker why they chose her and not me. When I saw her being portrayed as the first woman pilot, my friends and colleagues suggested I respond to it. But I thought as long as the story inspires women to join the forces, I am happy,” she said.
Sreevidya added, “I told her it was an oversight on her and the filmmakers' part to not reflect me at all.” She added, “When the first batch went to war, only designated senior officers from Delhi were allowed to speak to the media; we were interacting with them. I remember speaking only to Barkha Dutt, who had specifically asked for an interview with a woman pilot. By the time the second crew came, the media was allowed and Gunjan was interviewed. Naturally, people assumed she was the first woman.”
