Aditya Dhar's 'Uri- The Surgical Strike' is a sharp war drama presenting the biggest victory as a tribute to the 19 martyrs who died on the URI Indian Army base; they were back-stabbed by a terrorist group falsely dressed in Indian Army uniforms and attacked the soldiers when they were in deep asleep. The film opens up from 2015, Manipur as the entire Military battalion is attacked by the Myanmar militants and that's how Chapter one kick starts from the Seven Sisters territory executing the 2015 Indian counter-insurgency operation in Myanmar. Troops lined up to take revenge along with Indian Air Force and 21 PARA (SF) that carried a cross-border operation along the India–Myanmar border justifies the nature of the Indian Army who never starts the oppressional attack but finish things off with revenge.
Headed by Vicky Kaushal (Major Vihaan Shergill) and Mohit Raina (Captain Karan Kashyap) who lead the operation and kill every single Myanmar militant that dominated the area for quite long. The authoritative Defence ministry can be credited for sure giving the army full support and the surprise was Rajit Kapur as PM Narendra Modi who works closely with Intelligence officer from RAW Mr. Ajit Doval Prime Minister's National Security Advisor played by Paresh Rawal. Being thoroughly co-operative with the army gets all the plus points; Manohar Parrikar the reigning Defence Minister at that time played by the actor is as an exact replica of the real personality himself but he has barely got any lines to say which is an impish way to ignore a great contribution. However, the setting up and the direction of the film can compete with various global war films such is the standard created by the makers and well executed by the director.
Yami Gautam plays an Intelligence officer working closely with Doval. Kriti Kulhari plays a designated Air Force officer. Swaroop Sampat plays (Kaushal) Major Vihaan Shergill's mother who is struggling with the advanced stage of Alzheimer. Calling off a premature retirement to take care of mother "Yeh Desh bhi toh Maa hee hai" says the Prime Minister and posts Vihaan in Delhi imposing desk work in the Defence Ministry.
Things get tensed when the terrorists break into the Uri base where Vihaan's brother-in-law Karan Kashyap (Mohit Raina) is martyred, unfortunately. Some hard hitting emotional scenes get us a drop of tear as these army men are paid tribute. A quick response is what the PM is advised and he wastes no time in calling on The operation Surgical strike. How's the Josh? High, Sir! screams Major Vihaan to the appointed troops and yes he has promised the highest authority that he would return from the operations with every single troop alive. The action sequences take the front seat and some fine cinematic action sequences does not let us blink.
There are some dialogues dipped with patriotic elements and we do feel the struggle and the hardship of the Indian Army. The film stands as the most underrated victory of India and that relief by the end is speechless to atleast me as an audience.
Vicky Kaushal as Major Vihan has mastered the etiquettes of an Indian Army Major. Mohit Raina was impressive as the Sniper lead and his debut goes well, he is thoroughly a hero material and is surely notable with this role. Kriti Kulhari had a few lines but is a believable Air Force commander. Yami Gautam as the female lead steals the show after Kaushal with her command, actions and dialogue delivery. Paresh Rawal playing the operations head and planning everything stepping in the shoes of Ajit Doval was laudable as well.
Cinematographer Mitesh Mirchandani has executed some fine action sequences and even though most of them are shot in night are clearly visible and the winner here is Mitesh's camera work. Aditya Dhar's screenplay and treatment to his script go so well that we revisit that tensed time with some real television news footage in between. He has raised a bar with kind of war films made in recent time and yes the audiences would want more. The drum beating background score by Shashwat Sachdev adds that little bit of intriguing element. Last but not the least the great work put forth by Rohit Chaturvedi leading the costume design team and these uniforms were so so close to the real Army attire. Uri raises the Josh of a commoner Indian citizen and at least as an audience, we must give it a silver screen watch as the tribute to these unsung heroes who left their leisure for the entire country. So how's the Josh? Say it louder?
Overall Uri is a true team performance as it emerges.
Cast :Paresh Rawal, Kirti Kulhari, Yami Gautam, Vicky Kaushal