New Delhi

“There is no Kayamkhani who has been hit with bullets in his back," says a veteran of the Indian Army, who like many others of his community have dedicated his life to uniform, discipline, and service to the nation.

This documentary, Kayamkhani Bravehearts is the saga of the Kayamkhani, a Muslim community from Rajasthan, whose first preference for a career is military or Police and who consider service to the nation as a matter of pride and responsibility. For them, patriotism is not just a slogan, but a tradition passed down through generations. The documentary is documentation of the story of these valiant sons of the soil who defended the country at the border, faced enemy bullets head-on, and who consider martyrdom an honour.

The first glimpse of the documentary, a 33-second teaser, is enough to send shivers down the spines of viewers. The teaser suggests that this film will not merely be a presentation of facts but an experience steeped in emotion, sacrifice, and patriotism. Watching it, viewers will not only be filled with pride but will also be compelled to understand that in defending the nation, only duty matters, not religion.

The history of the Kayamkhani Muslim community of Rajasthan is replete with valour, discipline, and service to the nation. Almost every family in this community has been connected to the armed forces in some way. The dream of the youth here is not to become a big businessman or an officer in a high-ranking government position, but to serve their motherland by joining the Indian Army, paramilitary forces, or the police.

Watch the teaser here:

Manjit Thakur, director and screenwriter of the documentary, states that soldiers from the Kayamkhani community have so far earned four Shaurya Chakras, 18 Sena Medals, and five Vishisht Seva Medals.These figures would be a source of pride for any community, but for the Kayamkhanis, they represent not just honour, but a symbol of responsibility.When it comes to sacrifice, this community has not lagged.

In Danduri village, which is now known as the "village of soldiers," 18 Kayamkhani Muslims were martyred for the country. Similarly, 10 martyrs each from Jhajhot and Nua villages also laid down their lives for their motherland. These figures are not just numbers, but represent the tears of those mothers, the pride of those families, and the essence of the soil that gave birth to such brave sons.

The documentary presents the stories of these martyrs in a deeply sensitive and impactful manner. The camerawork, editing, and graphics are of a high standard, emotionally connecting the viewers to the narrative. Research, hard work, and authenticity are evident in every frame.

Before making this documentary, the Awaz-The Voice team conducted comprehensive research. Under the leadership of Editor-in-Chief Atir Khan, the team spent a long time researching, delving into history, and understanding the ground realities. The documentary was shot over several days in different villages of Rajasthan. The filming continued late into the night to present the true lifestyle, struggles, and pride of this community to the world.

The documentary also reveals several surprising facts. For example, Kayamkhani Muslims consider cows their most valuable asset and cannot even imagine harming them. This fact shatters the stereotypes that are often formed in society without proper understanding.

Manjit Thakur recounts that when the team arrived in the Kaimkhani villages, they were welcomed with a sense of pride and warmth. The villagers not only welcomed them wholeheartedly but also openly shared their stories, pain, and pride. This trust became the soul of the documentary.

Speaking about the documentary's objective, Atir Khan sais that in today's world, negativity has become the unique selling proposition of news. In this environment, Awaz-The Voice is the sole platform which brings forth positive stories of cooperation, and peaceful coexistence from India and around the world.

Awaz team with locals in a Rajasthan Village

He believes that beyond the walls of faith, caste, region, and language, Indians have many shared concerns, challenges, and dreams for the future that have the potential to bring people and communities together. Awaz-The Voice's content promotes progressive, positive, and nation-building ideas not only in India but also among Muslim communities abroad.

This documentary is an extension of that very idea—an attempt to amplify the voice of true patriotism, a voice often drowned out by the noise of hatred. This film reminds us that the uniform has no religion, and every drop of blood shed for the country is purely Indian.

ALSO READ: The scope of RSS and Muslim dialogue is expanding

On release, this documentary will undoubtedly not only move viewers but also make them think, feel proud and energise them to serve the nation. This is not just the story of the Kayamkhani community, but the story of an India where the country comes first.