Nimrat Kaur, acclaimed for her performances in *The Lunchbox*, *Airlift*, and *Dasvi*, has never shied away from speaking about the deep and emotional bond she shared with her late father, Major Bhupender Singh, whose untimely and tragic death left an indelible mark on her life. An officer in the 64 Engineer Regiment of the Indian Army, Major Singh was stationed in the conflict-ridden Kashmir region during the early 1990s. In January 1994, while Nimrat and her family were visiting him during their winter break, he was abducted by militants from the Hizb-ul-Mujahideen.

Despite facing intense pressure to agree to the terrorists’ demands for the release of other militants, Major Singh stood firm in his principles and refused to compromise his duties, a brave act that ultimately led to his execution after seven days in captivity. He was just 41 years old at the time of his death. The news devastated Nimrat and her family, and their lives changed overnight. From the structured and protected environment of an army life in Patiala, where they were surrounded by military protocol, army vehicles, and a close-knit fauji community, they were suddenly thrust into civilian life with none of the familiar support systems.

For Nimrat, who was just 11 at the time and also undergoing puberty, this was not just a period of grief but also one of intense personal upheaval. Yet, in the face of such loss, Nimrat drew strength from the values instilled in her by her father — courage, discipline, and resilience. She has spoken often of how he raised her with the mindset of independence and determination, teaching her that she could achieve whatever she set her sights on. His lessons helped guide her path from modelling and music videos to becoming a celebrated actor, both in India and internationally. In 1994, the Indian government posthumously awarded Major Singh the Shaurya Chakra for his bravery, and the announcement coincidentally came on March 13 — Nimrat’s 12th birthday — making it a day of both pride and sorrow for the young girl. Years later, to commemorate her father’s life and sacrifice,

Nimrat and her family inaugurated a memorial — the ‘Shaheed Smaarak’ — in their hometown of Sri Ganganagar, Rajasthan. This memorial honors Major Singh alongside twelve other soldiers from the region who laid down their lives in service to the nation. Nimrat also carries a more personal tribute in the form of a tattoo that reads “Zenab,” which means “a father’s precious jewel that brings glory to his name” — a phrase that beautifully captures the emotional legacy she continues to carry. Today, Nimrat Kaur’s remarkable journey from personal tragedy to professional acclaim stands as a tribute not only to her own resilience but also to the enduring influence of a father who embodied honor and integrity.

Through every role she plays and every platform she appears on, she keeps alive the memory of Major Bhupender Singh, ensuring that his story is remembered not just as a soldier who sacrificed his life, but as a father whose values shaped a strong, successful daughter.