Chennai: When Indian Air Force pilot Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman was captured in Pakistan on Wednesday, his father was reliving his association with a 2017 hit movie that dealt with the same situation.
Air Marshal (retired) Simhakutty Varthaman had advised director Mani Ratnam for the making of 'Katru Veliyinile', which narrated the story of a fighter pilot who was stranded in Pakistan during the Kargil war. The role was essayed by Karthi and was largely inspired by the exploits of flight lieutenant Dilip Parulkar during the Bangladesh War and flight lieutenant K Nachiketa during the Kargil war.
Parulkar landed in enemy custody on December 10, 1971 while targeting a radar station in east Lahore. He later escaped from a Rawalpindi prison along with two others but was arrested soon after. He was handed over to Indian authorities at Wagah on December 1, 1972.
Nachiketa landed in Pakistani custody while the MiG 27 he was flying conked during a sortie. He was released after eight days.
Now, the country is awaiting the return of Wing Commander Varthaman.
Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan Thursday announced that Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman will be released on Friday as a gesture of peace and the "first step" to open negotiations with India.
