Justice for Gurkhas - Gurkha Documentary Film

Darshan Gajjar is organizing this fundraiser.

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The Film

नमस्ते / Hello. Growing up, I heard stories of Gurkha bravery—my father and grandfather both served. But as I got older, I started asking questions. What did it really mean to be a Gurkha? And why, after over 200 years of service to Britain, are so many veterans struggling in poverty?

(Nayungma Rai - Presenter)

I soon uncovered a hidden truth—one of discrimination, broken promises, and systemic injustice. Gurkha veterans who retired before 1997 receive pensions up to five times lower than their British counterparts, despite Britain agreeing, on paper, that they would be treated equally to British soldiers. In 2021, desperate for change, veterans staged hunger strikes outside Downing Street, forcing the UK government into negotiations. But after two years, the Ministry of Defence continues to stall—waiting for veterans to pass away rather than delivering justice.

This documentary is my journey to uncover the truth and make sure the voices of Gurkha veterans are heard. But I can’t do this alone. With your support, we can complete this film, expose this injustice, and put public pressure on the UK government to act. Join me in bringing the untold truth to light.

Who Are the Gurkhas?

For over 200 years, Gurkhas have served as elite soldiers in the British Army, known for their bravery, loyalty, and discipline. Recruited from the hills of Nepal, they are celebrated as fearless warriors who fought in both World Wars, the Falklands, Iraq, Afghanistan, and more. Their motto, “Better to die than be a coward,” reflects their legendary courage.

Despite their sacrifices, Gurkhas have often been treated as second-class soldiers, facing pay disparities, pension inequalities, and systemic discrimination. The Tripartite Agreement of 1947 promised equal treatment, but this commitment has never been fully honoured. Today, thousands of Gurkha veterans are still fighting for the basic rights they were promised decades ago.

Why This Documentary Must Be Made

(A group of Gurkha veterans on hunger strike outside 10 Downing Street in 2021, holding signs and banners demanding equal pensions. Some are seated, visibly weak, while others stand in protest. The historic black door of No. 10 is in the background, symbolising their direct appeal to the UK government.)

Gurkha veterans gave everything for Britain, but many struggle in silence because of barriers they cannot overcome alone:

Language – Many veterans do not speak English fluently, if at all, making it nearly impossible to fight for their rights.
Education – Many lack the formal education needed to navigate complex legal and pension systems.
Cultural Divide – They grew up in a system where loyalty and duty were valued over questioning authority, making it harder for them to demand justice.
Age & Frailty – Many are now old, frail, and running out of time—if their stories aren’t recorded now, they may never be heard.

That’s why this documentary must be made—by the people who truly understand both sides of the story.

With Nayungma’s personal connection as the daughter and granddaughter of Gurkhas, she has access to voices that have never been heard before. And as a filmmaker committed to social justice, I (Darshan) have the experience and platform to bring these stories to a wider audience.

Together, we bridge the gap—between generations, between Nepal and the UK, between the past and the future. We understand their struggles, but we also understand the system. We can translate their voices, amplify their message, and make sure their sacrifices are not forgotten.

This is more than just a documentary. It’s a tool to help young Nepali children in the UK—the next generation who will continue this fight—understand why their grandparents are here, the struggles they endured, and what it truly meant to be a Gurkha.

If we don’t tell this story now, who will?

Please donate now and help us bring this urgent story to life.

Current Progress:

Watch our current trailer to see the journey so far!

What We Need / Your Contribution

We are aiming to raise £13,200 to complete Gurkha (Transparency: Our original budget was £15,000, but we raised approximately £2300 on IndieGoGo, so accounting for that we need £13,200 (£12,800 + inclusive of GoFundMe fees (£500)) to finish this film. We have decided to use GoFundMe to reach a new audience: The Untold Truth. Every contribution goes directly toward filming, post-production, and bringing this story to the world. As independent filmmakers, we’ve already invested our own time, effort, and money to get this far—but to finish the film at the highest quality, we need your support.

Travel & Accommodation – To film interviews in Nepal and across the UK.
Filming Costs – Renting equipment, securing interview locations.
Post-Production – Editing, sound design, translation, and subtitles.
Archival Footage & Licensing – To include historical footage and documents.
Distribution & Marketing – To get the film onto streaming platforms & into festivals worldwide, eventually ending up on YouTube for all to access for free.

Budget Breakdown

Travel: £5000
Archive: £3000
Food: £500
Post-Production (Translation, etc.): £1500
Accommodation: £2500
Other (Music, Equipment, etc.): £2500
Platform fee (£500).

Meet the Director

(Darshan Gajjar on set directing and shooting a commercial - BTS photography by Juan de Leon-Padmore)

Darshan Gajjar is a British-born South Asian filmmaker committed to uncovering hidden histories and amplifying marginalised voices. His work explores themes of identity, migration, and post-colonial legacies, making him uniquely positioned to tell the untold story of the Gurkhas.

His short film Ravi explored cultural displacement and resentment growing up in a non-diverse British town, a theme that continues to shape his storytelling. This personal connection to identity and injustice fuels Gurkha: The Untold Truth, where Darshan seeks to expose the broken promises, discrimination, and struggles Gurkha veterans face today.

With a background in cinematography and documentary storytelling, Darshan has directed films tackling racial injustice (Peaks of Colour), celebrating the Windrush generation’s cultural heritage (Who We Were, Who We Became), and now, historical accountability. Gurkha: The Untold Truth is more than just a documentary—it’s a mission to reclaim history, preserve voices, and demand justice before it’s too late.

Follow our Journey

If you can’t contribute financially, that’s completely fine. Sharing the project and spreading the word is incredibly valuable to us. Please consider following us on social media to stay updated on our progress: