With Aditya Dhar’s Uri:The Surgical Strike crossing the Rs 200-crore mark four weeks after its initial release, the film came under a scanner from critics, even as fans visited the theaters for a second and third time for a re-watch.
Several of these critics have called the Vicky Kaushal starrer a “propaganda film”, and “the government’s mouthpiece”, released a mere few months before the Lok Sabha elections.
However, India Today quoted Vicky Kaushal refuting these claims, stating that if it were indeed a “propaganda film” as alleged, then he would not have been a part of it.
“It’s not necessary to view everything through the political lens. Also, if it was a propaganda film, I wouldn’t have been a part of it.”Vicky Kaushal to India Today
The movie’s iconic dialogue “How’s the Josh” being used by top political leaders like Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, had been seen as a justification to critics claims of it being the government’s mouthpiece.
When asked about this, Vicky said: “Once a film releases, it belongs to the audience - be it the cabinet ministers or the Prime Minister or even sports personalities. So if you have the right to say 'How's the josh?', the same right lies with anybody else,” India Today reported.
“We have zero control over it. We are happy that the emotional value of the film is resonating with everyone,” he added.
(With inputs from India Today)
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