The Soldiers Who Know No Fear
Life as a Gentlemen Cadet
The life of a Gentleman Cadet at the IMA is unquestionably a tough one. His day begins at 5 am and ends 17 hours later at 10 pm after a packed day of military training.
Actor Hrithik Roshan, who played a young army officer in Lakshya, was seen fleeing the IMA in the film because he could not cope with the rigorous training. Of course, Hrithik's character returns to the Academy and goes on to become an exceptional officer.
The actor filmed at the Academy for about a fortnight and is said to have trained a bit with the cadets. "His room in the film was actually one of my friend's," informs a Gentleman Cadet.
Far from the world of takes and retakes of celluloid, the cadets at the Academy have to give their all. IMA Commandant Lieutenant General Khanna reveals that cadets who do not make the mark are kept back for more training. "We relegate them, and if we find shortages and shortcomings we have to withdraw them from the Academy."
To help the cadets cope with the training and to avoid a likely breakdown, the Academy has a buddy system. When the cadets arrive -- though they have each a room to themselves -- they work together for the first two, three months. Buddies write a report on each other which is filed and checked by the instructors.
Also See: Salute the women officers of the Indian Army