Despite Predicting Single Digit Opening, Trade Is Positive about Vicky Kaushal's Uri: The Surgical Strike

After delivering back-to-back terrific performances in films like Sanju and Manmarziyaan, Vicky Kaushal is now looking forward to his big release Uri: The Surgical Strike. Co-starring Yami Gautam, the film is loosely based on India's controversial surgical strike which took place in 2016. The trailer, which released in December 2018, garnered positive response not only from the film fraternity but also from the audiences. For the film, Vicky even underwent military training and bulked up himself to look the part. Knowing his caliber as an actor, everyone is expecting another solid performance from the talented lad. But the question is - will Vicky get cash registers ringing? After all, it's the first time that he's carrying a film entirely on his shoulders.

Well, we spoke to film exhibitor and distributor Akshaye Rathi about Vicky's box office fate and he seemed quite hopeful and positive. He said, "It's an exciting subject that all of us across generation are aware of and I am very proud about the surgical strike you know which our soldiers did to avenge the lives of our martyred army men. Also, it's a relevant issue today considering the kind of tension India has with Pakistan at the borders. And contrary to all the speculations, it's not a film about jingoism. It's a very sensibly made, Hollywood style no jingoism, no drama movie which tells the tale as it should be."

"So I really hope it does well because we all have heard about it and know about the subject. It will be exciting to see from a filmmaker's point of view and how things actually happened back then."

When asked how important the film is for Vicky, Rathi pointed out, "See there are stars and then there are actors who have the potential to be stars. And Vicky Kaushal is certainly in that latter category. The difference between the two is that an actor acts and a star sells tickets. For example, Rajkummar Rao and Ayushmann Khurrana have done well but they haven't reached the stage where putting their face on the posters will sell. On one hand, Stree did phenomenal business at the box office but Rajkummar Rao's next film after that 5 Weddings didn't work at all. That is what I am trying to say."

"Vicky too started off well and this is pretty much his first film where the onus is on him and also the writers. Even Badhaai Ho and Stree worked because of the writers and the story not because of Ayushmann or Rajkummar Rao alone. Coming to the opening day, Uri should earn around Rs 5 or Rs 5.5 crore on its first day which is pretty decent. I am sure over the course of time, doing more engaging movies even Vicky will reach the point where he'll be able to sell films."

Apart from Uri: The Surgical Strike, Anupam Kher starrer The Accidental Prime Minister will also release on tomorrow, January 11. Though the film doesn't star a big name, it may also do fairly well at the ticket windows. Speaking about it, Rathi pointed, "It's an interesting subject and controversial too which why its been in the news and we all have heard about it. Let's hope its engaging enough to draw the audience to the theatres. With elections coming up, everyone is cued on it and that's good for the film. Coming to figures, it should probably do around 3 - 3.5 crore on the first day."

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 10, 2019 04:17 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).