Released on 24 January 2020 on Amazon Prime Video, The Forgotten Army - Azaadi Ke Liye
), a photographer turned soldier, represents the courage of women who fought on the front lines. Moral Complexity: It explores the dilemma of soldiers allied with the Empire of Japan
This trial sparked massive protests across India. However, while the public hailed them as heroes, the Indian government post-independence was conflicted. Many INA soldiers were not inducted into the new Indian Army because they had taken up arms against the British Crown. As mentioned in the series, out of the 26,000 soldiers who lost their lives, those who survived were denied soldier pensions and faced social stigmatization. They fought for a free India, but in many ways, the India they helped create forgot them. This is the poignant tragedy that Kabir Khan aims to highlight. The Forgotten Army - Azaadi Ke Liye -2020- S01 ...
History is often written by the victors, but what about the stories of those who fall through the cracks? In the annals of India’s freedom struggle, the saga of the Azad Hind Fauj (Indian National Army) and its legendary leader Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose is often reduced to a footnote despite their immense sacrifices. In 2020, director Kabir Khan sought to change that narrative with his ambitious web series, The Forgotten Army – Azaadi Ke Liye .
The series revives conversation about a neglected facet of anti-colonial resistance, prompting viewers to reconsider the many forms of struggle that contributed to independence and the costs borne by ordinary soldiers. Released on 24 January 2020 on Amazon Prime
By seamlessly blending visceral combat sequences with personal human sacrifice, the show breathes life into a vital chapter of the Indian freedom struggle that was largely obscured by mainstream history textbooks. The Dual Narrative Structure
Under Bose's leadership, the INA grew rapidly, with over 40,000 soldiers, including Indians, Japanese, and other nationalities. The INA's military campaigns took place in Southeast Asia, particularly in Burma (now Myanmar) and Northeast India. Despite being vastly outnumbered and outgunned, the INA fought bravely against British and Allied forces. Many INA soldiers were not inducted into the
"The Forgotten Army" was praised for its ambition, technical brilliance, and for bringing a crucial, untold story to mainstream viewers.
Some critics found the latter episodes lacked subtlety, turning into a "full-blown sermon on diversity and inclusion". The 1996 timeline was considered less developed compared to the wartime narrative.
“If you’ve seen Border or Uri , but never heard of the INA’s march to Kohima and Imphal, this 5-part series is your history lesson with a heartbeat. It’s not Bollywood-style jingoism — it’s a war story about ordinary kids who became extraordinary soldiers and were later branded as ‘traitors’ by the British Raj.”
"Chalo Dilli" (Onwards to Delhi) becomes the rallying cry for these men and women.