Vicky Kaushal’s Uri: The Surgical Strike Screened in Manipur 23 years after ban on Bollywood films

Vicky Kaushal starrer Uri: The Surgical Strike (2019) was screened at a makeshift open-air theatre in Churachandpur in Manipur on August 15.

The film’s screening was organised by the Hmar Students Association (HSA) to oppose the ban on Hindi movies placed by the Revolutionary People's Front, a political wing of the People's Liberation Army, a valley-based Meitei terror group. According to news reports, the  Indian national anthem was played before the film’s screening. 

The HSA said in a statement on Monday, that the screening was to show "our defiance and opposition to terror groups which have subjugated the tribals for decades". They added, "Join us in taking a pledge to continue our fight for freedom and justice," The HSA said that the last film to be screened publically in Manipur was Kuch Kuch Hota Hain (1998) which was screened in 1998. 

Uri: The Surgical Strike also starred Yami Gautam, Mohit Raina, and Paresh Rawal amongst others. The film, directed by Aditya Dhar was based on the real-life retaliatory strikes carried out by the Indian Army after the Uri attacks in 2016.