Table of Contents

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About Frontlines Web Series

Understanding the core: The untold stories of sacrifice and bravery of the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force.

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Frontlines is a non-fiction web series released in MX player brought to life by Indiatimes. Indiatimes delivers us many tales of untold stories from the hidden corners of India, inspiring hope, admiration and respect towards the humble yet courageous heroes of The Indian Armed Forces and The Indian Air Force. I have to say I’m floored by how much work and effort the IndiaTimes put forth to bring about such an informative series explaining the occupation and sacrifices of the patriotic individuals of the service.

I also should appreciate Frontlines teams for coming up with this phenomenal project and going through such extremes to acquire access for filming and publication rights. To travel across the country, visiting various people and organisations takes capital and the producers should be given the spotlight for their involvement. The director did a manageable job even with the harsh environmental conditions.

The series consists of two seasons, each representing a strong supporting arm of the Indian Defences.

Frontlines Season 1

In the first season of this instalment, the crew visits the five international borders guarding India and brings about peculiar stories in each episode.

Frontlines Web Series Season 1 Episode 1 – The last border pillar

This is the story of the last border pillar that stands guard on the Indian Western Frontier. Border Pillar number 1175 is the last and sole marker of the line dividing India and Pakistan. Both the countries mutually agreed to leave the land barren up to 150 meters from the border.

Season 1 Episode 2 – Floating Border Out Post

A huge part of the Indian Borders are not fenced and that includes the Indian coasts too. Instead of metal barbed wired, floating operation bases are introduced whose main motive is to dominate maximum area from a single point. The BOPs are very versatile, with powerful engines that speed up to 10 knots alongside four fast patrol boats, medium machine guns and armed soldiers for defence systems. The soldiers often get seasick and experience the harsh ocean yet their determination to serve the country helps them overcome their difficulties.

Frontlines Web Series Season 1 Episode 3 – Women Warriors

Until 2009, women soldiers were only allowed to manage the gates and guard the camps. Now, they are a part of the Border Force Patrol, serving in the first line of defence. They are provided with the same uniforms, same duties, same working hours and weapons as of men with no discrimination. There are no girls in the army, just soldiers who happen to women.

Season 1 Episode 4 – Line of Actual Control

Bumla Pass, situated in the north-eastern part of the country in Arunachal Pradesh, lies directly on the line of control with the Chinese posts less than 4kms away. It is a sensitive military installation with restricted access, and the soldiers here serve in temperatures up to -28 degrees.

Season 1 Episode 5 – Two Men Who Saved Arunachal from Chinese

On 23rd October 1962, The Chinese attacked the Bumla Pass and faced off with Subedar Joginder Singh and his 35 member troop. The small troop repulsed two attacks by the 200 strong enemy force. Joginder Singh was captured alive and died in captivity after the Chinese overpowered the Indians. He was awarded the Param Vir chakra.

Rifleman Jaswant Singh sacrificed himself to stop the enemy forces’ heavy fire and was awarded MVC. About 300 Chinese soldiers were killed, and only his regiment got a battle honour in the ’62 war.

Frontlines Web Series Season 1 Episode 6 – Cattle Smuggling

Along the India-Bangladesh border, The soldiers often face difficulties with cattle smuggling as Bangladesh fetches more profit for the cattles than in India. The cows are seized from the water using patrol boats as it is next to impossible to enter the river against its flow.

Frontlines Web Series Frontlines Season 2

In the second season of this instalment, we meet the air warriors of the Indian Air Force and get to know more about the heroes who safeguard the world’s highest battleground.

Frontlines Web Series Season 2 Episode 1 – Meeting the Indian Air Force

The Indiatimes crew meets with various Squadron Leaders and questions them about the machines they fly. One of the Squadron Leaders, Amol Dixit, flies a tactical transport aircraft that can launch in the shortest possible time and carries troops to be dropped from 300ft agl amongst the enemy territory.

Season 2 Episode 2 -The Cheetah

The cheetah is the lightest utility helicopter that can fit into a matchbox-sized helipad and has high altitude capability. It can carry up to 1-ton of load. Along with the pilot inside its bubble cockpit, it can seat up to 3 passengers.

Season 2 Episode 3 – Flying Tank Globemaster

This impressive machine can carry cargo over long distances and be operated with limited runway length with little preparation. Some of its features include autopilot, aerial refuelling and defence systems to avoid detection and gunfire from enemy troops.

Season 2 Episode 4 – MIG 21 the Invincible

MIG 21 is one of the fighter aircraft which can undertake any other machine on the battlefield. It can be equipped with both high calibre and low calibre bombs and rockets. An ejection seat is also installed in case of any emergency.

Season 2 Episode 5 – MIC 22 Night Sortie

MIC 22 is a night aircraft whose pilots undergo severe training to master the skills to fly without any hindrance. It does not have most of the aids which modern aircraft have, and hence pilot skills come into play. Even the experienced face difficulties operating MIC 22 in hilly regions.

Season 2 Episode 7 – Air Force

The Air Force is as diligent as ever since they undergo emergency sessions every morning to keep them on their toes. In case of an emergency, the pilot should be aware of the procedure which is to be followed and to have knowledge about their aircraft. Panic only creates chaos.

Season 2 Episode 8 – Surface to Air Missile

A surface-to-air missile (SAM), also known as a ground-to-air missile (GTAM) or surface-to-air guided weapon (SAGW), is a mobile system with increased operational capabilities to render the enemy target useless. The crew faces difficulties in terms of maintenance due to the compact size of this machine.

Season 2 Episode 9 – Women Warriors

This episode highlights the lives of women who work under the Indian Air Force. Women work under RADAR, Air Traffic Control, and recently they are entrusted with fighter aircraft. They are ready to take up any operation if the country requires it.

Season 2 Episode 10 – Fearless in the Sky

Many in the Airforce seem fearless, although some have their own demons. Some fear the judgement of calculated risks, whilst some fear the reputation of the uniform they wear. However, all of them are cautious as the result of any casualties is quite expensive and ends in death.

Season 2 Episode 11 – Indian’s eyes in the sky

Air Traffic Control is responsible for visual controlling and identifying the range. Since there is only restricted air space, ATC guides the aircraft on their routes by radio and also provides additional services like emergency services. RADAR gives a larger picture than the ATC and helps locate a lost aircraft.

Season 2 Episode 12 -UAV Force Multiplier

The UAV based multi-band, multi-mode communications node can contribute as a force multiplier by supporting offensive operations. It is mainly used for surveillance and targeting.

Season 2 Episode 13 – Flight Simulator: It’s Not a Game

A flight simulator is a synthetic training device that creates real-life simulations in which the beginners are trained until they get accustomed to the procedures and the aircraft. Although it is pretty expensive, the operative cost is lesser compared to real aircraft training.

Season 2 Episode 14 – AFA’s Mega Kitchen

The AFA’s mega mess is a home away from home. As the air force training takes a physical toll on the cadets, the mess makes sure to design the menu to satisfy the caloric needs of the cadets. They are involved in providing foods in different cuisines so that the cadets from all over the country could have a leisure meal.

Season 2 Episode 15 – Pilatus: PC7

Cadets mainly use the Pilatus PC7 for basic stage training. It also serves a purpose in aerobatics, night flying and tactical flying. Many safety features with the latest avionics are installed in it.

Season 2 Episode 16 – LCA Tejas

LVA Tejas is the first indigenously developed high-performance fighter in Indian Air Force. It houses state of the art avionics, navigation systems and multi-role RADAR. The glass cockpit contains no analogue instruments.

Season 2 Episode 17 – A Day at AFA

The cadets have a strict schedule, and their physical fitness regime involves physical conditioning, health run, elementary moving drill, swimming, yoga and components of physical toughening. They have their ground training at last.

Season 2 Episode 18 – Test Pilots: Best of The Best

Aspiring test pilots and flight test engineers are selected through a rigorous selection process as this is one of a kind institute. They undergo a rigorous curriculum for a year. The pilots should have exceptional flying skills, observational skills, data gathering and data reporting skills.

Appreciations and Criticisms

The Frontlines crew did an exceptional job in developing this script. They showcased the hardships faced by the soldiers who serve our country. It was both educational and inspiring. The cinematography is not exceedingly impressive, but I would say the director did a good job given the various harsh climates they were in. The lighting seems lacking in some of the episodes.

The sound quality was pretty low as the voices were recorded on-site. I had difficulties grasping some of the words. However, the soundtracks inspire a sense of pride in our hearts. There wasn’t much to talk about the editing skill since there were no special effects, but the flow of the videos were good.

I’m happy that this series creates awareness amongst many ignorant people in our country who have no clue of the hardships the Indian Forces face. I realised that it might also inspire many brave souls to join the fight for peace and help them discover their passion. In the end, I have no words to express the respect I have for the heroes of our country.

Direction – I want to give away 8.5/10
Script – I want to give away 9/10
Screenplay – I want to give away 9/10
Editing – I want to give away 8/10
Cinematography – I want to give away 7/10
Lighting – I want to give away 6/10
Music – I want to give away 9/10
Sound effects – I want to give away 8/10
Dubbing – I want to give away 7.5/10
Creativity and Innovation – I want to give away 8/10

My overall rating is 7.5/10

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