Uri: The Surgical Strike Review: Hardcore Patriotic and Action Packed

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Uri: The Surgical Strike is a 2019 Indian military action film. This film is directed by Aditya Dhar and produced by Ronnie Screwvala and was released on 11 January 2019.

Starring: Vicky Kaushal, as Major Vihaan Singh Shergill (Para SF team leader);

Paresh Rawal, as National Security Advisor Govind Bhardwaj ;

Yami Gautam, as Pallavi Sharma / Jasmine D'Almeida, an undercover intelligence agent;

Mohit Raina, as Major Karan Kashyap, Vihaan's brother-in-law (Para SF sniper);

Kirti Kulhari, as Flight Lieutenant Seerat Kaur (IAF officer).

The film is based on the surgical strikes conducted in 2016 by the Indian Army, against militant launch pads in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK). 35-50 terrorists were reportedly killed in the covert operation, in retaliation to the terrorist attack in Uri that killed 19 Indian soldiers. Subsequently, Pakistan denied the incident.

First things first, Vicky Kaushal is on a roll. He plays the role of a dedicated soldier, Vihaan, who is known for his meticulous strategizing and planning in missions. After a successful mission, he wishes to retire from army life, as his mother needs him. The second chapter shows Vihaan taking a desk job at the Integrated Defence Staff HQ in New Delhi and him spending time with his family. This segment also shows a brief description of the Pathankot attack. A nurse named Jasmine D'Almeida (Yami Gautam) is assigned to take care of Vihaan's mother. On 18 September 2016, four heavily armed militants attack the brigade headquarters at Uri, Jammu, and Kashmir at dawn, killing 19 soldiers in their sleep. The terrorists are killed but Karan dies in a grenade explosion. The whole family becomes devastated including Vihaan. The Ministry decides to take strict action against the perpetrators of the attack. National Security Advisor Govind Bharadwaj (Paresh Rawal) suggests the idea of a surgical strike. The Prime Minister gives it a go and gives ten days for the strike. Vihaan leaves his desk job and leaves for Northern Command base Udhampur. Vihaan chooses the commandos from the Bihar Regiment and the Dogra Regiment along with the special forces as most of the soldiers killed in the attack were from these regiments. Vihaan informs them that they are no longer able to use their phones, and disguises the mission as regular training exercises. The commandos begin their training. During the planning, Govind ropes in ISRO (for providing satellite images), DRDO (for drone surveillance), and RAW (for intelligence). Jasmine reveals her true name as Pallavi Sharma to Vihaan and during an interrogation, the two are able to extract information about who planned the attack. He chooses Seerat to be his pilot, who agrees wholeheartedly.

At the end of the film comes the most interesting part, where, on the night of 28 September, the commandos leave for the strike in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK) in Mi-17 helicopters. His team successfully infiltrate and kill all the terrorists on the two launchpads. Similarly, other commando teams also manage to kill all of the terrorists. Vihaan kills Idris and Jabbar, who are the perpetrators of the Uri attack. Vihaan finally lands at Hindon Air Force Station at Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh. The film ends with him, Pallavi, Govind, and the commandos happily having a formal dinner with the Prime Minister.

Courtesy: YouTube

The film scores higher on the technical front than creative. The combat sequences, ambush, gunfire, fistfights, sniper shots are realistically shot. The camera tactfully follows the soldiers like a shadow. Sound effects are crucial to combat film storytelling, and this war drama uses it effectively for most parts. The sounds of weapons and bullets are captured well but some unnecessary sounds (loud whispers, noisy footsteps) beat the very purpose of a covert mission. Yami Gautam, Mohit Raina, Paresh Rawal, and Kirti Kulhari are effective in their respective roles. In an overall view; I would rate it 4.5/5 as VFX of the movie is really good and it has made those sequences more realistic and effective. The technical team of URI has done a good job. Each frame looks realistic and appealing. I would say URI is the best and most realistic war based film India has ever produced. HENCE IT MAKES THIS MOVIE A MUST WATCH FOR THE VIEWERS WHO LOVES ACTION PACKED PATRIOTIC FILMS.