Published By: Sayan Paul

Birthday Special: Vicky Kaushal Almost Rejected 'Uri'; Know Why

Today, as Vicky Kaushal turns a year older, we look back at the time he almost passed on the film that changed everything.

Vicky Kaushal is currently one of Bollywood’s most bankable stars. Especially after the massive success of 'Chhava', he is widely beloved across the nation and is expected to rise even bigger in the coming years. But it all started with 'Uri: The Surgical Strike', released in 2019, which first catapulted the actor into a star. However, would you believe it if we told you that 'Uri'—the very film that earned him a National Award and turned him into a nationwide sensation—was a project he almost turned down?

Yep, that’s right. The now-iconic war drama almost didn’t have Kaushal leading the charge. Today, on the actor's 37th birthday, let's learn about that story. 

The Script That Didn’t Spark… At First

Rewind to 2018. Kaushal had already impressed critics with films like 'Masaan', 'Raman Raghav 2.0', and 'Raazi'. But he hadn’t yet delivered a solo box office hit and wasn't seen as a mainstream star. Hence, when director Aditya Dhar and producer Ronnie Screwvala picked him as the face of 'Uri: The Surgical Strike', a few eyebrows in the industry went up.

Many felt it was a risky call. After all, 'Uri' was a large-scale action film, while Kaushal was still seen as more of an “indie darling” than a mass hero.

Ironically, Kaushal Himself Wasn’t Sold on the Idea Either

In an interview, the actor admitted that the first time he read the script, he didn’t connect with it. “I was shooting Raazi at the time,” he recalled. “I came home, tired, sat down to read the script, and it took me nearly five hours. Something just didn’t click. I thought I’d take a couple of days and then call them to say I didn’t feel it.”

It’s not that he didn’t see the potential. But something felt off. The timing wasn’t right, maybe his head wasn’t in the zone. And that could’ve been the end of it.

A Father’s Gut Feeling Changed It All

But fate had other plans—and they came in the form of Sham Kaushal, his father and one of the most respected action directors in Bollywood. 

The script had been lying around the house when Sham Ji picked it up. He read the title, got curious, and decided to go through it. After finishing, he turned to his son and said something that shook him: “If you don’t do this film, it’ll be the biggest mistake of your life.”

His father’s conviction made him pause. Maybe he had been too quick to judge the script?

He decided to revisit it after wrapping up his schedule, and this time, with a fresh mind and zero distractions. 

“I read it again, and this time, I finished it in two and a half hours,” he shared in an interview. “It felt like I was reading a completely new story. I got so excited—and honestly a bit panicked—that I might lose the role. I ended up calling the executive producer at 3 in the morning to say I was in!”

From Doubt to National Stardom

When 'Uri' hit theatres on January 11, 2019, it struck a patriotic chord across the country. Kaushal, with his commanding screen presence and emotional depth, left audiences (and critics) floored.

Rajeev Masand summed it up best: “He brings both the bulked-up physicality and the sort of steely determination the part requires.”

But beyond the reviews and the box office numbers, 'Uri' gave us one of Bollywood’s most memorable movie moments in recent history—Kaushal's rousing “How’s the josh?” That one line turned into a pop culture phenomenon. Schools, weddings, political rallies—you heard it everywhere.

(Credit: India Forums)

The film went on to become one of the biggest blockbusters of 2019, and Kaushal’s performance earned him the National Film Award for Best Actor. He had officially arrived.

What If He Had Said No?

It’s wild to think that all of this almost didn’t happen. If Kaushal had trusted his first instinct, or if his dad hadn’t read the script that day, 'Uri' might’ve gone to someone else. Would it have had the same impact? Maybe. Maybe not.

(Credit: RSVP Movies)

But what this story really shows is how close we sometimes are to missing life-changing opportunities. Sometimes we’re just tired. Or overwhelmed. Or not seeing clearly in the moment.

Thankfully, Kaushal listened—to his gut, to his dad, and most importantly, he gave the story a second chance. And since then, the Josh has remained very, very high!