Aditya Dhar waited for a decade to make the war drama, which is now among the top 10 highest-grossing films of all times
A couple of days ago, trade analyst Taran Adarsh shared the news that Uri: The Surgical Strike has found itself a place in the top 10 highest-grossing films of all times, sharing the honour with the likes of Baahubali 2, Dangal, Sanju, Bajrangi Bhaijaan and Sultan among others. What makes it more special is that the war drama, starring Vicky Kaushal, which released earlier this year, has been directed by a first-time filmmaker, Aditya Dhar.
Sharing his excitement with us, Aditya recounts that he never thought even in his wildest dreams that something like this would be possible. “We knew we were making a special film and everyone worked extremely hard. There was some crazy energy at work and this was a script, which everyone who was a part of the project, connected with. So, everything fell into place. But we never imagined it will cross Rs 200 crore here, go up to Rs 350 crore worldwide and overall earn Rs 400 crore! It’s surreal!” he says.
While everyone else on the coveted list is an established filmmaker, it’s only Aditya who’s made it here with his very first directorial venture. Recounting the numerous setbacks he’s had reaching this stage in life, Aditya says, “I was supposed to helm my first film in 2009. Then after that, I was supposed to direct for Vishal Bhardwaj in 2011. Then in 2013, for Karan Johar, and in 2016, I was about to direct a Fawad Khan-Katrina Kaif film. Finally, Uri happened in 2019, so it was a wait of 10 years!” For some reason or the other, the project would reach a point of getting greenlit, then something would go wrong and it would get shelved. “My mom would always say, ‘There must be something much bigger planned for you, that’s why this is happening. When it will come to you, it will come in such a way that you won’t understand what hit you,” he adds. He admits that it was heartbreaking trying to make a film happen. “Finally when it did, to be a debut filmmaker and to be in the top 10 list of all-time highest-grossing films, that too, with a history of 100 years of India cinema, I look back and understand what she actually meant. This kind of a thing doesn’t happen only because of talent. There has to be something extra. I would think it’s due to my family’s blessings and luck,” he smiles.
A still from Uri: The Surgical Strike
His patience, we remind him, is also what got him here. “That’s the only way you survive here,” he agrees. Early on, the filmmaker says he realised there will be setbacks. He adds, “This industry will test and break you, but ultimately, it will resurrect you. I was on the verge of giving up in 2016. My brother asked me to give it one more try. I did. Fortunately, it worked and how!”
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