URI: THE SURGICAL STRIKE told us How the josh was very ‘high’!!, Avrodh informs us how ‘deep’ it was.
Web Series Review Avrodh: The Siege Within Trailer below
Review of the web series Avrodh The Siege Within is here. Based on Rahul Singh and Shiv Aroor’s book, India’s Most Fearless, Avrodh stars Amit Sadh, Neeraj Kabi, Darshan Kumar, Vikram Gokhale, Anant Mahadevan, Madhurima Tuli, Anil George, Pavail Gulati, Arif Zakaria and others. Produced for Applause Entertainment by Irada Entertainment, Avrodh: The Siege Within is helmed by Raj Acharya. Avrodh premieres on SonyLIV on July 31, 2020
Immediate reaction when the end credits roll
The terrific URI: THE SURGICAL STRIKE by Aditya Dhar starring Vicky Kaushal told us How the josh was very ‘high’!!, Avrodh informs us how ‘deep’ it was.
The story of Avrodh: The Siege Within
Based on Rahul Singh and Shiv Aroor’s book, India’s Most Fearless, Avrodh: The Siege Within is a detailed account of how the Uri surgical strike was planned and executed.
Avrodh: The Siege Within
Showcasing what went into the planning of the 2016 Uri surgical strike conducted by the Indian army on terror launch pads across Line of Control (LoC). The 9-episode series delves into the planning, execution and international competition (read pressure) that went through. Written by Harmanjit Singha, Sudeep Nigam, Abhishek Chaterjee and Aadhar Khurana, the series cleverly mixes checkable facts with dramatic license. With no agenda to infuse chest beating jingoisms, the respect pride for the Indian Army comes naturally.
People may have their views on war, the Uri attack was a statement, a message which was the need of the hour. The Vicky Kaushal starrer was Uri: The Surgical Strike was no doubt terrific movie on the unparalleled valour of the Indian Army. Avrodh: The Siege Within goes further and travels more than a 2+ hour movie. The 9-episode tense and gripping narrative is narrated with conviction and belief by director Raj Acharya. Samar Khan as the show runner ensures that ruthlessness, duty and humanity during the dramatization of this operation doesn’t get overboard. Divulging more details will spoil the excitement of those who are waiting to watch the series which has created enough buzz.
But will like to add that the Uri attack was not just a revenge or a retaliation it was something beyond and it hits the right chords when Vikram Gokhale as Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi says, “Nazariya Badalna Hoga” and that’s what happened after the attack, the world started looking at India with a different view, a Nation that won’t sit mum and can give a befitting reply to its enemies at any time.
The series also introspects the limitations of truth and investigative journalism through the character of the fearless journalist Namrata Joshi played by Madhurima Tuli.
Through Neeraj Kabi as National Security Advisor Shailesh Malviya and Ananth Narayan Mahadevan as the diplomat Satish Mahadevan, the web series brings forward the conflict between duty, morality and humanity in an intriguing manner and finds its edge.
Performances
Amit Sadh as Major Videep Singh is bang on target as the no-nonsense army officer leading the mission. Amit’s body language and perfect dialogue delivery makes a commanding presence. Marvellous.
Darshan Kumaar as Major Raunaq Gautam from the Bihar regiment adds the much-needed human sentiments in such war sagas. A combination of heart and guns at demand, the actor wins hearts.
Neeraj Kabi as National Security Advisor Shailesh Malviya is brilliant, facing challenges from inside and outside, the National Security Advisor (NSA) who believes in eye-for-an-eye has an interesting twist in his character that gives the edge.
Vikram Gokhale as Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi is perhaps the best actor to come so near to the PM. While we have done it before with mixed results but the experience and sheer understanding of the character by an actor like Vikram Gokhale is an example of how to achieve perfection.
Madhurima Tuli as Namrata Joshi portrays a picture of sheer confidence, gist and determination. Arif Zakaria as Ali Raza the investigating officer from NIA is well composed. Anil Geotge as Abu Hafez is deadly and menacing. Good support comes from Pavail Gulati, Mohit Chauhan and others.
Technicalities
Production values are of highest orders. Cinematography by Shanu Singh Rajput is excellent especially during the combat scenes and night shots. Editing by Satya Sharma is fine. It’s tough to shoot on such locations and production controller Shlok Gupta does a fine job.
Flaws
The winding up could have been much better.
Final words
Avrodh: The Siege Within the series on Indian Army’s great showcase of valour – Uri surgical strike should not be taken as a piece of art on war saga/revenge saga. It’s very much different from a common vigilante story for two prime reasons: first one – the target, second a bracing political statement to those who had doubted India’s moral ambiguities in its war on terror. The Uri surgical strike changed the outlook and this change in outlook demands a look from every true Indian and human. Worth a dekho.
Pic/image courtesy: SonyLiv
