Param Veer Chakra

Param Veer Chakra is one of those series that is difficult to dislike because of its subject matter.

It tells the stories of the winners of India's highest gallantry award, many of whom received it posthumously.

In trying to humanize the heroes in question it delves into their personal lives and does so with varying degrees of success. In some instances the acting is overly dramatic and the dialogue 1980s Bollywood.

The battle scenes vary in quality. The plus is that you get to see vintage equipment but Ajeets played Gnats and Vijayanta's played Centurions.

Gunfire is very badly simulated and the background music is genuinely appalling.

The acting is a little melodramatic - typical 1980s Indian TV.

However, what lifts this show out of the ordinary (even if you can't understand a word of Hindi) is its attempt to portray how these heroes of the Indian Republic fought and in many instances died.

In its attempt to do so, it succeeds in large part and for that it is a must watch.

Unfortunately, neither a DVD release nor English subtitles are available.