January 11, 2018: ‘Uri: The Surgical Strike’ hit screens, chronicling India’s bold retaliation to the 2016 Uri terror attack. Fast-forward seven years, and Vicky Kaushal unveils the untold story of almost ditching the career-defining role.
Post-‘Masaan’ buzz, Vicky eyed diverse scripts. ‘Uri’s’ intensity daunted him. ‘I wanted to reject it,’ he revealed candidly, explaining reservations about committing to another heavy dramatic part. Enter Aditya Dhar, whose debut vision—rooted in real events of special forces infiltrating enemy lines—ignited Vicky’s interest.
Persuasive storytelling won. Dhar’s research-packed pitches highlighted the strikes’ precision, training Vicky in authentic tactics. The result? A tour-de-force performance that propelled the film to glory. From Rs 40 crore outlay to blockbuster returns exceeding Rs 250 crore, ‘Uri’ dominated charts and awards circuits.
Its impact transcended numbers: sparking military film trend, earning Vicky a National Award, and embedding lines into everyday lingo. Vicky now views it as destiny. ‘Saying no would have been foolish,’ he reflects.
Celebrating seven years, ‘Uri’ thrives on OTT, with fans reliving the triumph. It symbolizes resilience, much like the soldiers it portrays, proving quality triumphs in an industry chasing formulas.