The film was inspired by the international organization Operation Smile and portrays real-life MHS figures such as former principal, Dr. Mike Matthews (played by Sean Astin).
Operation Overlord | Operation Enduring Freedom | Operation Barbarossa | Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe | Operation Market Garden | Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development | Operation Torch | Operation Vistula | operation | Operation Provide Comfort | Operation Anaconda | Police and Judicial Co-operation in Criminal Matters | Operation Weserübung | Operation Shingle | Operation Ivy | Operation Highjump | Operation Blue Star | Operation Anthropoid | Smile | Operation Paperclip | Operation Downfall | Operation Deny Flight | Operation Thunderbolt | Operation Southern Watch | Operation Michael | Operation Entebbe | Operation Condor | Operation Yoav | Operation Varsity | Operation United Shield |
He is chairman of the British Asian Trust (part of the Prince of Wales' Charities organisation) and of the Prince’s Charities Events Ltd., as well as chairman of Operation Smile UK, a children's charity treating facial deformities such as cleft lips and cleft palates all around the world.