Close X
Sunday, September 22, 2024
ADVT 
Bollywood

'There Is Nothing Anti-Pakistan' In Uri: The Surgical Strike, Says Director

Darpan News Desk IANS, 05 Jan, 2019 12:57 AM
  • 'There Is Nothing Anti-Pakistan' In Uri: The Surgical Strike, Says Director

Director Aditya Dhar says that the intention of Uri: The Surgical Strike is not to show Pakistan in the bad light but to focus on the issue of terrorism. The film is based on the 2016 Indian Army's surgical strikes on terror launch pads in Pakistan as retaliation for the Uri attack that claimed the lives of 17 army personnel.


"The film is about how Indian Army fought terrorism. Our focus in the film is about how to fight against terrorism. There is nothing anti-Pakistan. We are not fighting against any individual or country; we are fighting against the cross-border terrorism that is happening. We have shown a balanced perspective," Aditya told.


Despite a ban on Indian films in the neighbouring country, the director says that he would have loved to show his movie in Pakistan.


"Any sane or logical person, be it Indian or Pakistani will understand that the film is about fighting terrorism." Aditya said his debut film Raabta was set to feature Pakistani actor Fawad Khan and Katrina Kaif in the lead role but Fawad Khan had to exit the project after Pakistani artistes were banned from working in India in the aftermath of the Uri attacks. "I was figuring out how to recast for the film and who to approach. But within 10 days, the surgical strikes happened."


The retaliation by the Indian side piqued his interest and Aditya said he started to research about the surgical strikes and its planning process. He went through news articles, met journalists and retired army officers to research the project but a friend told him someone was already planning a film on the topic.


"I panicked and I started writing the screenplay and in 12 days the first draft was ready. It is a sensitive topic and we had to take permission from the Army. I shared my story with Additional Directorate General of Public Information (ADDPI), PR division of army and they loved it. "They told us 12 producers from Bollywood have approached them to make a film on surgical strikes but they did not have any story."


The director said he was aware of the responsibility that lies on the makers to represent the Indian Army on screen in the most accurate way. "We wanted to stay as true as possible. We did not exaggerate anything. We stayed real.

 

After all, army men are normal people. Vicky Kaushal and other actors trained for about six months to understand their daily routine and mannerisms," he added. Aditya was convinced Vicky was the only actor who could pull off the role of Major Vihaan Shergill, the officer who leads the surgical strikes in the film.


"At that time he had started shooting for Raazi and none of his films like Sanju, Manmarziyaan or Lust Stories had released. He has done an incredible job in the film." Also starring Paresh Rawal, Yami Gautam and Mohit Raina, the film is set to be released on January 11.

MORE Bollywood ARTICLES

Anupam Kher Meets New York City Mayor Bill De Blasio

Veteran Bollywood actor Anupam Kher has met New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and his wife Chirlane McCray, who he said love his "New Amsterdam" show.

Anupam Kher Meets New York City Mayor Bill De Blasio

Red Chillies Entertainment Moves Delhi HC Against Notice Over 'Zero'

In the caveat, the Bollywood production house has requested the court not to take any action without informing and hearing the submission of the company.

Red Chillies Entertainment Moves Delhi HC Against Notice Over 'Zero'

There's Sacrifice In Everything You Do: Abhishek Bachchan

There's Sacrifice In Everything You Do: Abhishek Bachchan
Abhishek made his acting debut in 2000 with the film "Refugee". He was later seen in commercially successful films like "Yuva", "Dhoom", "Guru", "Happy New Year" and "Sarkar" and the latest release "Manmarziyaan".

There's Sacrifice In Everything You Do: Abhishek Bachchan

Collaboration Helps To Broaden Horizon Says Rapper Badshah

The collaboration between Badshah and the music group for the song aims to provide emerging artistes with a powerful stage to promote their stories, share their art and connect with new and existing fans.

Collaboration Helps To Broaden Horizon Says Rapper Badshah

Women Can Work In Harmony: Amyra Dastur

Amyra Dastur, who has worked with female directors like Sonam Nair and Leena Yadav and fellow actresses like Shweta Tripathi and Sapna Pabbi, says women can work in harmony and create moments of magic.

Women Can Work In Harmony: Amyra Dastur

Inside PICS: Deepika Padukone And Ranveer Singh’s Wedding Reception In Mumbai

Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh, who hosted a second wedding reception on Wednesday in Mumbai, stunned in ensembles by Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla, and Rohit Bal, respectively.

Inside PICS: Deepika Padukone And Ranveer Singh’s Wedding Reception In Mumbai