Director Aditya Dhar deserves applause for meticulous research evident in "Uri: The Surgical Strike." Balancing fiction with publicly available facts, the film navigates the differing narratives of India and Pakistan's version of the surgical strike, delivering a compelling story without forcing patriotism. While the first half invests time in character development, slightly slowing the pace, the payoff lies in the second half's intense action.

Vicky Kaushal's stellar performance as the uniformed protagonist showcases why he's among the best of the current generation. Mohit Raina's transition to the big screen is impressive, and Yami Gautam, though starting intriguingly, finds her role somewhat underexplored.

Cinematography maintains a gripping edge, particularly in the film's final moments, while Stefan Richter's action sequences stand out for their top-notch choreography. The recurring 'How's the Josh?' query from Vicky Kaushal's character resonates, inducing a palpable sense of pride for the armed forces.

"Uri" effectively captures the sacrifice of those defending the nation, instilling a swelling sense of patriotism.