Uri: The Surgical Strike Movie Review: Vicky Kaushal makes this film worth the watch

Uri: The Surgical Strike

Director: Aditya Dhar

Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Mohit Raina, Yami Gautam, Paresh Rawal, Kirti Kulhari

Stars: 3/5

FACT: The 2016 Surgical Strikes was conducted by the Indian Army on 'launch-pads' used by militants in Pakistan. It was conducted 10 days after the deadly terrorist attack on the Army Brigade headquarters in Uri in 2016 wherein 19 soldiers were martyred and about 80-100 suffered injuries. 

Just like a book on history, Uri The Surgical Strike, directed and written by Aditya Dhar, has four chapters, each leading to the significant and historic surgical strike which was conducted by the Indian army. Vicky Kaushal, Mohit Raina, Kirti Kulhari, Yami Gautam and Paresh Rawal play pivotal roles in this story based on true events. Vicky plays the role of Major Vivaan Singh Shergill who has also lead the team of soldiers responsible for eliminating Nagaland militants. He is supported by second in command, Major Karan Kashyap played by Mohit Raina. 

Shortly after the Uri Attack, the incident triggers a volume of hatred among the soldiers who feel betrayed and at loss of words for their brothers who were killed by the Pakistani militants. Betrayed because there has always been a common sentiment that of the Indian Army and Indian Government being helpless and not taking any action against Pakistan even after numerous terrorist attacks on India. The first half of the film explores the three chapters, in brief, focusing largely on the emotional angle of the soldiers more than the military operations. Vicky Kaushal by now has proved to be great at his craft and holds the first half impressively. Mohit (Major Karan) makes an impressive Bollywood debut and I would really like to see him be part of Bollywood all the more. Considering the first half is heavy on emotions only one scene was able to really move me. The bit where a small girl pays tribute to her father at his funeral by shouting out loud his battalion slogan gives you goosebumps. 

The second half more or less covers the preparations and the situations leading up to the surgical strike. there are portions where Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Rajnath Singh and the then Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar were reduced to being mere caricatures while the mastermind behind the entire operation is shown to be Paresh Rawal who plays the National Security Advisor. Rawal as always has justified his part while Yami who played the Intelligence officer has very little to do. Kirti Kulhari plays the Indian Air Force officer, Seemat Kaur, who plays a key role in the entire operation but the whole sequence of choosing the best team for the purpose somehow doesn't connect and seems to be driven more by emotions than logic.

Coming to the second half, Vicky elevates and how during the last 20-25 minutes. These last few minutes sees a lot of movement from the Government, Intelligence as well as the level of execution by the team led by Vivaan (Vicky). Those sequences finally managed to evoke some patriotic feelings within me. The cinematography is raw and top notch during the last few scenes. The footwork of the jawans are shot well and makes you sit on the edge for what's to come. However, the screenplay has been a major drawback, it doesn't hold you in its entirety and has its highs and lows. Director Aditya Dhar should have probably invested a little more time studying the body language and technicalities of the military operations given that the movie essentially is based on Indian Army.

The 2016 Surgical Strike has been a big accomplishment for the Indian Government; The Surgical strike has been controversial and politicised too with the leader of the opposition Mr Rahul Gandhi even questioning the Indian Army and the whole basis of the operation; The Surgical Strike has been one of the most talked about events between Indian and Pakistan in recent times by not only the Indian Media but also the International news media; The Surgical Strike has been wrapped under classified files for 2 years with no details revealed to the Indian citizens. These are reasons enough for you to go and watch the film at least once.

Our verdict: Uri: The Surgical Strike is a one time watch.