Agenda-driven film on Uri attack was made after director couldn’t work with Fawad Khan, reveals Vicky Kaushal

There are a few names that come to our mind when we recall who got a much-deserved breakthrough in Bollywood last year and Vicky Kaushal is on top of that list. The actor — who gave brilliant performances in films like Raazi, Sanju and Manmarziyaan — has been in the news for his latest release — Uri: The Surgical Strike —  in which he is playing an Indian commando on a mission against Pakistan following the Uri attacks of September 2016.

In spite of partaking in this agenda-driven film, Vicky’s thoughts on Pakistani artistes are welcoming. In a recent interview with Bollywood Times, Vicky was asked about his take on an unofficial ban on Pakistani artistes. In response, he narrated an interesting story that led to this project; apparently director Aditya Dhar was supposed to start a movie with Fawad Khan but had to shelve it as the Uri attack took place 20 days before his film was to go on floors.

“Fawad could not come back because he was in Pakistan at the time, so Aditya had to shelve his film. He started researching on the Uri attacks and wrote a script on it. And the reason why he couldn’t make his first film is why Uri is now his first film,” Vicky said.

The star further said he was confused so as to how to protest when the incident happened. “When this (ban on Pakistani artists) unfolded, my mind was dilly-dallying as to whether it is right or wrong because the artists had personally done nothing,” he said.

“I used to wonder how else I could protest silently. So, the industry told the artistes from other the side of the border to go and question their own government ‘Why are we headed in the wrong direction? What has been occurring due to which we face such a situation in our adjoining country?’” the actor added.

“I used to feel that way but at the same time, how would one feel for an army official who has lost his brother and a neighbour goes to watch a film which has a Pakistani artist. This is sad because he could just be an artist; somebody who is a civilian and loves both Pakistanis and Indians equally. We want peace. We would benefit if things proceed and we can travel to each other’s countries,” Vicky said.