Journalist Mobeen Azhar to front WWII doc Secret History: Soldiers That Saved Britain
The film explores the 2.5 million men of the British Indian Army during the Second World War
By Alim Kheraj
Throughout his career as a journalist, Mobeen Azhar has investigated his fair share of poignant and important topics. From exploring gay life in urban Pakistan, men who work in the multi-billion-pound global webcam industry, and the gay serial killer Bruce McArthur, to diving into the controversies surrounding Britney Spears‘s conservatorship and sexual abuse within the J-Pop industry, his work is as expansive as it is important.
Now for his latest project, Azhar has turned his attention to World War II for a one-off documentary airing on Channel 4 on 2 November.
In this deeply personal film, Azhar investigates the story of his grandfather, Nawab Din, who served in the Indian Army during the conflict.
An official synopsis reads: “In this film, journalist and filmmaker Mobeen Azhar uncovers the remarkable story of his grandfather, who served amongst the 2.5 million men of the British Indian Army during the Second World War. Mobeen knows very little about his grandfather’s experience of war, and the vital role that these soldiers played has largely been lost to history.
“Mobeen’s search for answers takes him from his hometown of Huddersfield to rural Scotland, where astonishingly, a unit of Indian soldiers served during the war; to London, where he scours the British Library’s records for a mention of his grandfather; and even to Egypt, where he learns of the blistering heat and brutal conditions of one of the key battlegrounds of the war. Mobeen also meets artist Mahtab Hussein, who is spearheading the campaign for a proper, permanent memorial to the millions of forgotten Indian Army soldiers who volunteered, served and died for the fight against fascism.
“On his journey, Mobeen grapples with some deeply emotional and uncomfortable questions: Why has the momentous role of the Indian Army been left out of our history books? What incredible highs and terrible lows did Mobeen’s grandfather encounter during the war? Did he feel proud to be fighting against the Nazis? And what drove a man from the Punjab to enlist in the Indian Army, and fight for Britain – the coloniser?”
“I’ve worked on so many documentaries over the last decade or so, but I don’t think anything has ever got this personal,” Azhar said about the film. “To film with my parents and then to chase down family history that their generation is unaware of was a blessing but also a little scary.”
He added: “I’m not patriotic to any country. I find the concept of patriotism disconcerting, so I was a little worried about how I’d respond to revelations about the British Indian Army. I felt vulnerable but I can honestly say that this film is something I’m proud of. It’s bigger than the story of my grandfather or the story of my family. It’s about Britain’s place in the world, the legacy of colonialism and it’s about how India – and what became Pakistan and Bangladesh –shaped the modern world too.”
Watch a trailer for the documentary below.
Speaking to Attitude in 2017 about his decision to become a journalist, Azhar said that he always wanted to change the world, but just wasn’t sure about how to go about doing so.
“Journalism is all about documenting stories, lives and perspectives. I’ve interviewed convicted terrorists and been face-to-face with men who recruit suicide bombers. I’ve filmed with narcs in Mexico and in Thai prisons,” he added. “I feel privileged to meet people and tell their stories.”
His latest project is sure to deepen our understanding of World War II, and shine a light on the important stories of millions of forgotten stories that deserve to be remembered.
Secret History: Soldiers that Saved Britain airs on 2 November on Channel 4.