Rohan Gandotra recalls his experience of shooting for 1962: The War in the Hills in Ladakh

Inspired by true events, Hotstar Specials brings 1962: The War In The Hills - a tale about these soldiers who despite being outnumbered and armed with basic equipment stopped the infiltrating army in its tracks, which became one of the greatest last stands in military history. Almost 60 years ago, our soldiers stood strong to protect what truly belonged to the nation - Ladakh; a battle we continue to fight even today. 

This is the story of 125 Indian soldiers who fought against 3000 Chinese in a battle that changed the course of the war. Produced in partnership with Arré Studio, this 10-episode war-drama has been written by Charudutt Acharya and directed by one of Bollywood’s finest filmmakers Mahesh Manjrekar who has beautifully captured not only the war but also the personal lives of the soldiers and what they left behind in service of the nation.

Actor Rohan Gandotra said, “This was my first time in Ladakh, and I had heard of people having breathing problems there. So, I had prepared myself by doing yoga and breathing exercises but once I reached there, none of these preparations helped. The first day that we reached Ladakh, we were all asked to stay in the hotel, and on the second day my nose started bleeding but I was told that it was normal. Then when I went out, I saw little shops selling oxygen which was new to me. When we went to the set, which was at a higher altitude than our hotel, we experienced harsh weather conditions that included sandstorms and even extremely cold winds. Initially, it was very challenging but our bodies eventually acclimatized to the conditions. In the end, it was teamwork along with the motivation and support from Mahesh sir that really helped us give our best even in those tough terrains.” 

The series features an ensemble cast including Abhay Deol, Akash Thosar, Sumeet Vyas, Rohan Gandotra, Annup Sonii, Meiyang Chang, Mahie Gill, Rochelle Rao, Hemal Ingle, and many more. The series has been shot in the high terrains of Ladakh and remote villages across India that gives the show a real, believable look.