Uri: The Surgical Strike
2019
Director: Aditya Dhar
Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Mohit Raina, Paresh Raval, Rajit Kapoor, Yami Gautam, Kirti Kulhari

On September 18, 2016, 4 militants from Pak-occupied Kashmir killed 19 Indian soldiers from a military camp in Uri, J & K, in a surprise attack. Within 10 days Indian army did a cross-border surgical strike and destroyed the major terrorist camps based in POK, which were responsible for the Uri attack.

Depending upon which political side you are on, the surgical strikes are looked at as a gallant Mission Impossible or something which was either exaggerated or concocted. Not going into the politics or the veracity of events, and viewing it purely as a movie, Uri- The Surgical Strike leaves you thrilled and moved. It is without a doubt, the best and the slickest war-film from Bollywood yet.

The first half, which covers the events leading up to the Uri attack, is simply brilliant in the way it establishes the key characters and shows the challenging lives of Indian soldiers up, close and personal. The ambushes, the combats, the training, the planning, the bonhomie, the banter and the tragedies, things unfold swiftly before your eyes, keeping you riveted. Guts, grime, blood, sweat and tears from those scenes seem so real and authentic.

The second half shows the planning and the execution of the cross-border surgical attacks on the terrorist camps; and it is not in the same class as the first half, simply because it is filmy and formulaic at times. The climax too appears hurried and less impactful than it could have been.

While giving in to crowd-pleasing commercial conventions at times, the debutant director Aditya Dhar shows good restraint. He keeps the film taut throughout and manages to capture the human element behind the army drama. ‘How’s the josh?’- the key dialogue is a masterstroke. Technically the film is top-notch in terms of locations, cinematography, sound design and action. The background music and the songs gel well, enhancing the on-screen experience.

Vicky Kaushal playing the army officer leading the surgical strikes mission is outstanding, providing yet another evidence of his chameleon-like versatility. As his deputy and the brother-in-law, Mohit Raina, too impresses. Yami Gautam and Kirti Kulhari’s characters seem rather incongruous in the scheme of things. The veterans – Rajit Kapoor, Paresh Raval and Swaroop Sampat make their presence felt even in cliched roles.

Despite its few shortfalls, Uri- The Surgical Strikes is an excellent movie that makes your eyes tear up and your chest puff with pride by showing Indian army’s sacrifice and valour. But more importantly the gritty war-drama makes you realize what kind of hard and harsh lives our selfless soldiers lead to protect our nation, just so that all of us can proceed with our self-centered lives!

Rating

3.5 Stars