Penguin Announces Captain Vikram Batra Memoir on His Martyrdom Day
An intimate tribute by Captain Vikram Batra's identical twin brother, publishing later this month
On the martyrdom anniversary of Captain Vikram Batra, Param Vir Chakra, Penguin Random House India honours one of India's greatest military heroes by announcing the forthcoming publication of Yeh Dil Maange More: Vikram, My Brother by Vishal Batra, Captain Vikram Batra's identical twin brother, with Anupma Mehta. Publishing later this month under the Penguin Veer imprint, the memoir is a deeply personal account of brotherhood, sacrifice and the enduring legacy of one of India's most celebrated war heroes.
Captain Vikram Batra made the supreme sacrifice on 7 July 1999 during the Kargil War while leading from the front in the battle for Point 4875. Awarded the Param Vir Chakra posthumously, he remains an enduring symbol of courage, leadership and patriotism. His iconic words, "Yeh Dil Maange More," continue to inspire generations of Indians.
In Yeh Dil Maange More, Vishal Batra shares the deeply personal journey of growing up with his identical twin, the dream they nurtured together of serving the nation, and the promise he has made to carry Vikram's legacy forward.
As Vishal Batra reflects: "There was a dream that was knitted way back in early 1990 to don the Olive Green and be a part of Indian Armed Forces. Incidentally despite my two attempts, I wasn’t recommended by the Service Selection Board and Vikram made it in the first attempt."
"There hasn’t been a day since his martyrdom that we haven’t spoken about him. He surely became Shershaah for the Indians but for me, he would always be my identical twin Love (and me being Kush as these are our nicknames). I believe that i am the blessed twin who has always been a Fauzi at heart like he was for real and Vikram wanted me to carry forward his legacy. And the legacy of the hero lives on through my preservation of his heroic deeds. This book is my heartfelt tribute to my twin who has been my soulmate and it’s just the physical absence that separated us but not the eternal bond we share since our birth. This book is a reflection of the dream we knitted as kids and my unfulfilled dream but living that dream by carrying forward his legacy."
Far more than the story of a decorated soldier, Yeh Dil Maange More is the story of two brothers, one shared dream, and an unbreakable bond that continues beyond loss. Through personal memories, family anecdotes and reflections spanning more than two decades, Vishal Batra offers readers an intimate portrait of Captain Vikram Batra—not only as the legendary "Shershaah" of Kargil, but also as a son, brother, friend and soulmate.
Publishing later this month, Yeh Dil Maange More is a moving tribute to Captain Vikram Batra's extraordinary life and an enduring reminder that while heroes become part of a nation's history, they remain forever part of their family's heart.
Book: Yeh Dil Maange More: Vikram, My Brother
Author: Vishal Batra with Anupma Mehta
Publisher: Penguin Veer, Penguin Random House India
Publishing: July 2026
