6 years of Uri: The Surgical Strike! When Vicky Kaushal screamed 'How's the Josh' and won a National Award

It's been six years since we heard Vicky Kaushal scream, "How's the Josh?" in Uri: The Surgical Strike. Indeed, the 2019 release of Aditya Dhar's directorial debut has achieved a significant milestone and remains one of the most memorable films in Bollywood. Uri: The Surgical Strike is an action-war film that dramatises the actual events surrounding the response to the 2016 Uri attack.

Overview of Uri: The Surgical Strike plot and central theme

The plot revolves around Major Vihaan Shergill, played by Kaushal, of the Para (Special Forces), who was instrumental in the response. The 2016 surgical strike on an Indian army camp in Uri, Jammu and Kashmir, by suspected militants is the central plot point of the film. The assault resulted in the deaths of nineteen soldiers. The assault on the brigade headquarters in Uri, Jammu & Kashmir, by four armed militants occurred on September 18th, 2016. The ministry decided to take action against the terrorists. Paresh Rawal's portrayal of Govind Bharadwaj, the national security adviser, suggested the idea of a surgical strike. They choose to go on strike for ten days, just like the prime minister. The Northern Command base is located in Udhampur, so Vihaan quits his job and goes there. Upon his request, General Arjun Singh Rajawat (Shashi Singh), the Chief of Army Staff, agrees to include him in the operation. Finally, on September 28, after much preparation, he musters his squad for a surgical hit.

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Vicky Kaushal plays the role of Colonel Kapil Yadav's inspiration, Major Vihaan Singh Shergill, the head of the Para SF team. Paresh Rawal portrays Govind Bhardwaj, the national security advisor, who draws inspiration from Ajit Doval. Inspired by Narendra Modi, Rajit Kapur plays the role of India's prime minister.

The Seven Sisters (Northeast), An Unsettling Peace (New Delhi), Bleed India with Thousand Cuts (Uri, Jammu Kashmir), Naya Hindustan (New India), and The Strike (POK, Pakistan) are the five sections that make up the film. All five chapters are crucial in understanding why the Pakistani military launched a surgical strike.

Critical and commercial success

A multi-award-winning film, Uri: The Surgical Strike, depicts actual events, and it holds a special place in the hearts of many. The film cost $25 million to produce. Surprisingly, though, it made over $359 million worldwide. One word that describes Uri is "blockbuster." 

Critics and viewers widely praised the film upon its release on January 11, 2019. It received numerous awards, including four National Film Awards (also for both Kaushal and Dhar). Uri won accolades for its narrative, action scenes, sound design, direction, and technical components.

Vicky Kaushal's transformation for the role

Over the course of five months, Kaushal put on a lot of weight while undergoing rigorous military training. In order to increase his endurance, he exercised for five hours every day on top of the three or four hours he spent in the military. The Mumbai naval installation in Cuffe Parade also trained him to use firearms. He described it as the most physically challenging film he had ever done.

The film's most memorable line is Vicky Kaushal's "How is the Josh?" His performance was just remarkable. Being an Indian army man, he perfectly embodies the movie's protagonist. In every moment in the film, he has increased the intensity. Vicky had the physique and resolute will necessary for the position of protagonist.

Streaming availability

Uri: The Surgical Strike is available to stream on ZEE5 (OTTplay Premium).

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