Ajay Devgn had booked the Independence Day window for the release of Bhuj: The Pride of India. However, with less than three months to go and the last schedule pending, it seems unlikely that the war drama will be able to honour its date with the audience. Fortunately, the makers are armed with plan B — they are now eyeing a mid-December release to coincide with the 49th anniversary of the 1971 Indo-Pakistan war. After all, the 13-day war provides the backdrop for the Abhishek Dudhaiya-directed venture, which narrates how Indian Air Force (IAF) squadron leader Vijay Karnik and his team had reconstructed the IAF airbase in Bhuj after it was destroyed by the Pakistani army.

A trade source reveals, "A week-long stint that includes filming some action sequences featuring Ajay Devgn, is left. Initially, the makers were toying with the idea of releasing it on January 26 next year, but then realised that Vijay Diwas, which commemorates India's victory in the 1971 war, is celebrated on December 16. It is only fitting that a retelling of a chapter from the 1971 Indo-Pakistan war arrive at the theatres around the same time."