Films rooted in real events often strike a chord, revealing lesser-known chapters of history. One such story is that of Major General Rajpal Punia, YSM — and Randeep Hooda is keen to bring it to the screen.

Operation Khukri, the film, is based on the book of the same name, a first-hand account by Major Rajpal Punia, co-written with his daughter, Damini Punia. Then, he was a young Company Commander of the 14th Mechanised Infantry who led the rescue mission and the ensuing jungle warfare. The multinational operation was launched by the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone, involving India, Ghana, Britain, and Nigeria.