My first blog post of 2019, and I’m
writing it with High Josh (enthusiasm). Just got back from the theater after
watching much awaited film – Uri, and boy, does it hit the right notes in your
body or what? I left the theater with additional pride, spine a bit more erect and
chest out. Not only because I am a proud Indian Army kid, but because I am
proud of the decision to conduct surgical strikes across LoC in Pakistan
occupied Kashmir. There have been multiple cowardly attacks on India by
terrorists infiltrated into our borders via Pakistan, but this one particularly
hit me very hard. Our soldiers were asleep for God’s sake. At least show the
courage to have a face off with them. I remember crying under my pillow for
days after Uri attack. There was a need to send a response back to Pakistan,
and the message went out loud and clear.
The portrayal of Vicky Kaushal as
an Army officer is spot on. I can say that because I saw glimpses of my dad in
him. That built, that uniform, the heaviness in his voice, his relationship
with his family, emoting vulnerability, and strength. It’s as close to reality
as it can get.
The movie has no heavy-duty loud
mouthing of dialogues just because it’s a war movie. Neither does it have any
unnecessary drama. There is not a single shot of Tiranga (India's National Flag)
through the movie, and yet the nationalistic pride and patriotism is all over
it. There are many goosebumps moments in the movie and some highly emotional scenes
bound to bring involuntary tears to the eyes. Paired with heavy background
music, amazing VFX, smart action sequences, brilliant direction, and the
requisite of some fist pumping dialogues, this movie will leave you with a high
dose of adrenal, love for your country and ultimate respect for Indian Army.
My particularly favorite scene was
the dinner party hosted for Vihaan at his sister’s house. It wasn’t a very
relevant scene, but it was beautifully shot. You could tell that the makers of
the movie have done their homework. All the officers looking dapper in their suits,
cufflinks, lapel pins, a perfectly folded handkerchief in their suit pocket, holding
a glass of whisky and laughing loudly. Ladies with gracefully draped sarees, brooch
pin, a glass of drink in one hand and a clutch in the other, looking as sharp
as their better halves. This particular scene brought back so many memories to
me. Army parties like these were a weekly affair for us. All the ‘Army brats’
of the cantonment would get together, feast on tasty snacks (mostly roasted
peanuts or cheese with pineapple on a toothpick), play games, watch TV and
stealthily sneak into the kitchen to get a peek of the desert.
I’m not sure why we were called
Army brats, but we would take immense pride in being called that. I think it
refers to any child who has grown up with a parent in the army, has never lived
in a place more than 3 years, made new friends with every posting & stayed
connected with most of them, lived in cantonments, and would know atleast a few
people who have served in the highest battleground on earth, Siachen (In our
case, it was our dad and his troops). We are that breed of kids who are raised
in and transferred from one cantonment to another. Our upbringing in a unique
way differentiates us from other kids. This is also the reason it is easy for
one army brat to recognize another one easily. For us, home is the army and
everything it stands for. We are raised with immense pride, fearlessness and
courage; imbibed in us by our lioness moms (mostly because our dads were barely
around). That is the reason why you saw Col MN Rai’s brave and proud daughter
shouting his regiments war cry at his funeral, then raised her hand to salute
him for the last time as she burst out in tears. That moment is beautifully
recreated in Uri, and is bound to choke you up. The movie hits a bull’s eye.
You might like the movie for
different reasons, but one thing’s for sure. Next time anyone asks you “How’s
the josh?”, you’ll involuntary end up saying “High Sir!”
