International Journal of English and Studies (IJOES)

SP Publications International Journal Of English and Studies (IJOES) An International Peer-Reviewed Journal ; Volume-3, Issue-3, 2021 www.ijoes.in ISSN: 2581-8333; Impact Factor: 5.421(SJIF)

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DEPICTION OF THE EFFECTS OF TRAUMA IN FILMS: AN ANALYSIS OF URI: THE SURGICAL STRIKE ______Ashitha Anna Regis M.A English Literature Kristu Jayanti College (Autonomous) Bengaluru-560077 ______Abstract: Introduction: The victimization of violence and the result Adithya Dhar is an Indian director, trauma is very much relevant in the present lyricist and writer. He made his debut as a times. From psychology to literature it has director with Uri-The Surgical Strike been regulating and it is in the forefront of (henceforth referred as Uri). The movie is any research. Trauma is not restricted to any based on the Uri attacks that happened in event. Trauma theory is not so much a 2016. He is associated with films like Haal- theory of recovered memory as it is one of E-Dil, Teez, Aakrosh, Kabul Express as recovered referentially (Elsaesser, 2001, writer, screenplay, lyrics writer and dialogue p.201). Uri the Surgical Strike directed by writer. He won the Best Director award at Adithya Dhar depicts the trauma that the the 26th Screen Awards for the film Uri. In war veterans undergo after an unexpected 2016 the Uri attack happened; four terrorists attack. The introduction serves to set the entered the Uri base camp and nineteen stage and highlights the basic concepts of soldiers were martyred. This was followed the study while the first chapter provides an immediately by the surgical strike. This was introduction to trauma theory and how the first time the Indian army carried the war trauma is depicted in films. The second into the enemy camp, which they succeeded chapter details the plot and story of the film. in destroying. The third chapter analyses the film in the Trauma is known as an emotional light of the theory while the concluding response to a terrible event. It is the chapter provides the summary of the response to a deeply distressing incident that interpretations gained from the study. overwhelms the individual’s ability to think and respond. They often find it difficult to cope with the feeling of helplessness. Keywords: Trauma, war veterans, film, post Trauma is the experience of the survivor. traumatic stress disorder. Psychological trauma is damage to the mind

SP Publications International Journal Of English and Studies (IJOES) An International Peer-Reviewed Journal ; Volume-3, Issue-3, 2021 www.ijoes.in ISSN: 2581-8333; Impact Factor: 5.421(SJIF)

RESEARCH ARTICLE as a result of a distressing event. The Trauma theory emerged in the 20th symptoms and the experience may vary century. Twentieth century is the age of from person to person. It can cause acute traumas. It saw a series of wars, conflicts, stress disorder which can lead to post- revolutions, confusions and competitiveness traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). and so people faced many traumatic experiences. All the traumatic experiences Glen R. Schiraldi defines that the of this century are reflected in the work of traumatic events that lead to post-traumatic art. The term ‘trauma theory’ first appeared stress disorder (PTSD) are typically so in Cathy Caruth’s work “Unclaimed extraordinary or severe that they would Experiences Trauma Narrative and History”. distress almost anyone. These events are Traumatic experiences always affect our usually sudden. They are perceived as mind. This theory has some psychological dangerous to self or others, and they connections too. The theory stems from overwhelm our ability to respond adequately Freud’s work “Beyond the Pleasure (Schiraldi, p. 3). Principle” and “Moses and Monotheism”. There is a mutual influence This theory links the experiences of trauma between movies and literature. It started to to the evolutionary heritage of humans. exist since the start of cinema. To make you Famous American critic and 21st see, the former through the mind; the latter century writer Shoshanna Felman called the through the eye. The root difference 21st century ‘as the century of traumas’. She between the two media lies between the wrote much text on testimony and trauma percept of the visual image and the concept especially her subject was about holocaust of the mental image’ (Bluestone, 1957, and collective trauma. Trauma theory p.137). Bluestone also states that, “a film is became significant with the publication of not thought; it is perceived” (p. 141). two important books. They are Cathy Literature shares the ability to employ the Caruth’s Unclaimed Experiences Trauma devices of narrative with films. Narrative and History and Kai Tal’s World Films just like literature are of Hurt Reading the Literature of Trauma. concerned with realism. Film is concerned Other important works include Dominic La as a branch of literature. It is the artistic Capra’s representing the Holocaust – expression of literature. The relation of both History Theory and Trauma and Judith is as old as humanity. Herman’s Trauma and Recovery. Over the last two decades trauma has increased Chapter 1: Trauma Theory exponentially in society.

SP Publications International Journal Of English and Studies (IJOES) An International Peer-Reviewed Journal ; Volume-3, Issue-3, 2021 www.ijoes.in ISSN: 2581-8333; Impact Factor: 5.421(SJIF)

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Traumatic experiences are highly political movement. The study of war individualized and shaped by a wide range trauma becomes legitimate only in a context of factors, from genetics, to previous life that challenges the sacrifice of young men in experiences, and support system available in war. The study of trauma in sexual and the aftermath of the event. Trauma is domestic life becomes legitimate only in a defined as an injury to the body or the context that challenges the subordination of psyche by some type of shock, violence or woman and children (Herman, p. 1). unanticipated incident (Barker, p.492). Chapter 2: Uri-The Surgical Strike Trauma is pervasive and touches many life domains. Its impact transcends race, class, The movie Uri is divided into five gender, sexual orientation, religion etc. parts. The movie begins with a trap being set Exposure to trauma increases the risk of a in June 2015 on a group of the Indian Army range of vulnerabilities such as post- troops in Manipur by the militants. In an act traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), of revenge, Major Vihaan Singh Shergill depression, mental health problems, (Vicky Kaushal), a Para Special Force excessive hostility, and anxiety. Officer and the entire unit including his brother-in-law Major Karan Kashyap (Mohit The effects of the psychological Raina) invade and attack the Northeastern trauma came into existence as a mainstream militants and also kill the key leader. After a is when the veterans returned back from the successful strike, the Prime Minister of India Vietnam War. This led the American (Rajith Kapur) appreciates him and the Psychological Association to finally get with whole team during a formal dinner. Vihaan Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a requests an early retirement as he wants to serious issue in 1980. The horrifying impact take care of his mother who is suffering of the trauma are been explored by the film- from Alzheimer’s. The Prime Minister makers and the authors since decades. Films agrees to transfer him to a desk job in New have depicted various symptoms and Delhi. incidents regarding trauma. Film industry over the years has managed to leave an Vihaan takes up a desk job at the impact on the psyche of the people. Trauma IDS Headquarters in New Delhi. This piece in film is mostly portrayed through war puts forth a brief description of the films. It is the catalyst for the recognition of Pathankot attack. A nurse named Jasmine PTSD. D’Almeida (Yami Gautham) is designated to take care of Vihaan’s mother. Vihaan Herman in his book states that, the meets Flight Lieutenant IAF pilot Seerat systematic study of psychological trauma Kaur (Kriti Kulhar) who is trying to therefore depends on the support of a

SP Publications International Journal Of English and Studies (IJOES) An International Peer-Reviewed Journal ; Volume-3, Issue-3, 2021 www.ijoes.in ISSN: 2581-8333; Impact Factor: 5.421(SJIF)

RESEARCH ARTICLE manifest her patriotism to her martyred Pakistani Air Force markings. During the husband who was an army officer who died preparation Govindh networks with ISRO to in the Militant attack. One day Vihaan’s receive satellite images and DRDO for mother is found to be missing. He drones. When he goes to meet the DRDO eventually blames Jasmine for her Chief Brain D’Souza (Ivan Rodriguez), he irresponsibility and dismisses her from the meets an intern whose name is Ishaan who job. Vihaan’s mother is later found under a has developed a drone which is named as bridge and Jasmine reveals herself being an Garuda which is in the shape of an eagle. intelligence agent. This discloses how With the help of the drone and satellite families of the Special Forces soldiers were images, the team pinpoints the correct given security because of the threat put forth locations of the hideaway and the training by the Northeastern terrorists. camps of the terrorists. Four armed militants attack the Vihaan selects Seerat to be the pilot. brigade headquarters on 18 September 2018 The commandos depart for the strike in at Uri, Jammu and Kashmir. They managed Pakistan occupied Kashmir in a MI-17 to kill 19 soldiers. The terrorists are attacked helicopter on the night of September 28. As and then killed but Karan dies in an the latest intelligence from the spies in explosion from the grenade attached to the Pakistan had warned the team about the riffle of the terrorist. The Indian Ministry Pakistani army deploying an early warning resolves to take stern action against the radar-based Surface in the Air Missile perpetrators of the attack. National Security system in Muzaffarabad area, Vihaan’s team Advisor Govind Bharadhwaj (Paresh Rawal) are unable to go beyond the Line of Control. proposes a surgical strike. Vihaan leaves his He and his entire team eventually decide to job and sets forth for Northern Command go by foot through a cave. The whole team Base in Udhampur. He appeals to the Chief managed to invade and kill the entire of the Army Staff General Arjun Singh terrorist groups at both launch pads. Vihaan (Shishir Sharma) to include him in the kills Idris and Jabbar, who were the main operation and receives approval to do so. players in the Uri attack. On their return they faced an attack from a group in Vihaan chooses the best Ghatak machine gun bunker and from a Pakistani force commandos from the Bihar Regiment Air Force MI-17 helicopter, which they and the Dogra Regiment including the overcome. The movie comes to an end with Special Forces as the soldiers who were Pallavi, Govindh and the commandos killed in the attack were from these regions. happily attending the formal dinner with the Govindh also puts forward the proposal to Prime Minister. paint the attack helicopters with the

SP Publications International Journal Of English and Studies (IJOES) An International Peer-Reviewed Journal ; Volume-3, Issue-3, 2021 www.ijoes.in ISSN: 2581-8333; Impact Factor: 5.421(SJIF)

RESEARCH ARTICLE

Chapter 03: Analysis of the Effects of pads in Pakistan, after the Uri attack claimed Trauma in Uri the lives of 17 army personnel. The movie is all about how the Indian Army fought The main objective of this chapter is against terrorism with revenge as a trigger. to present the development of feelings and To punish and to undertake revenge are thoughts of revenge after traumatic extremely two different things. In this movie experiences and their impact on the post- we could see how the protagonist and his traumatic symptom. ‘Revenge’ is the act of team carry out an act of revenge. War is an committing a harmful action against a armed conflict. It is characterized as extreme person or a group in response to grievance. violence, destruction, aggression, mortality It is the act of ‘wild justice’. Revenge is using the regular or the irregular military historically a popular literary theme and it force. However, brotherhood and continues to play an important role in selflessness may also be a part of war, contemporary works. Examples of literature especially in the armed forces, as portrayed that features revenge as a theme includes the in the film. The movie focuses on the war plays Hamlet and Othello by Shakespeare, effort which was carried out by the Indian the short story ‘The Cask of Amontillado’ Army to avenge the death of fellow army by Edgar Allan Poe among others. Revenge officers who were killed by terrorists. is a theme in itself and it is also considered as a genre. As mentioned earlier a sense of revenge is the foundation of war. The war Racheal M. Stein stated in her book: crimes that run through Vihaan’s mind do Vengeful Citizens, Violent States; Theory of not allow him peace. He was constantly War and Revenge that, ‘Revenge has long haunted by the thought of losing his brother- been recognized as a root cause of violence in-law as well as his fellow army officers. in human societies, the question of whether He was constantly trying to visualize how it plays a role in international conflict has they could enter and attack the enemy camp. received scant attention in the field of As part of his retaliatory efforts, he gathers International Relations, and prior finely skilled officers and trains them. He approaches that have focused on either constantly motivates them by asking “How individual leaders or states themselves as the is the josh?” to which they would reply locus of desire for revenge have proved both “High sir!”.The capacity for self-sacrifice is theoretically and empirically unsatisfying’ evident among the soldiers. The willingness (22). to die for another person is also a form of The film Uri is a war-based movie. love. It is an essential part of the experience. Indian Army's strike at the terror launch For some of them, their lives were of lesser

SP Publications International Journal Of English and Studies (IJOES) An International Peer-Reviewed Journal ; Volume-3, Issue-3, 2021 www.ijoes.in ISSN: 2581-8333; Impact Factor: 5.421(SJIF)

RESEARCH ARTICLE value when compared to India’s war against case, revenge becomes a means to restore terrorism. justice. Revenge is a somewhat neglected psychological behavior. Feelings or some It is a shared commitment to save sensation of pain could be triggers. With each other’s life that is portrayed. Soldiers PTSD, the brain does process trauma right usually fight for their survival. There is a away. The brain attaches minute details to sense of satisfaction when the unit kills an the memory. These act as triggers. Triggers enemy. This feeling of satisfaction can be are usually tied to the senses. clearly seen when Vihaan and his entire unit successfully kill the entire terrorist Conclusion community in the particular area. Their Uri is fashioned as a different kind of motive in killing was not just to protect the Bollywood war film. The film portrays the self. It is also for the protection of the retaliatory strike undertaken by the Indian homeland and kin. army on terrorist launch pads in Pakistan However, killing is a difficult act as and how a paramilitary officer who had it has many consequences. Soldiers feel retired from the front line goes back into the happy after killing their enemy. Soldiers field after he loses his family member in a usually fight for their survival. There is a terrorist strike. Dhar brings life to the movie sense of satisfaction when the unit kills an and portrays the act of revenge undertaken enemy. This feeling of satisfaction can be by the Indian army. Heroism is defined and clearly seen when Vihaan and his entire unit soldiers are shown as heroes who are always successfully kill the entire terrorist ready to protect India from any kind of community in the particular area. Their attack. There is a strong thread of patriotism motive in killing was not just to protect the evident in the film. self. It is also for the protection of the Everyone who is affected by trauma homeland and kin. However, killing is a experiences it in different ways. The film difficult act as it has many consequences. also shows how survivors of trauma can turn Soldiers feel happy after killing their enemy. out to be the strongest people and an One such achievement was the inspiration to others. In Uri the protagonist, success of the surgical strike. The ultimate and others, who have been wronged take goal was to kill each and every terrorist and action in the names of those who were they achieved it. The enemy had committed murdered in a terrorist attack. Their an act that could never be forgiven and they intention is two-fold: to seek justice in the had to pay, the narrative states. It was also name of those whose lives were lost and to an act that they didn’t want repeated. In this motivate the enemy to refrain from such

SP Publications International Journal Of English and Studies (IJOES) An International Peer-Reviewed Journal ; Volume-3, Issue-3, 2021 www.ijoes.in ISSN: 2581-8333; Impact Factor: 5.421(SJIF)

RESEARCH ARTICLE attacks. India is presented as a strong force Press, 2003.GoogleBooks,books.goo with strong leadership in the political, gle.co.in/books?id=onIQ989DdKQC strategic and military front. Through the &pg=PR3&source=kp process of executing a successful military _read_button&redir_esc=y. strike against the enemy in enemy-occupied Herman, Judith. Trauma and Recovery. land, the film explores the possibility of Basic Books, 1992.Google Books, trauma and posttraumatic stress disorder books.google.co.in/books/about/Trau leading to the acts of revenge and the act of ma_and_Recovery.html?id=TVw4D gaining justice alleviating the stress of the gAAQBAJ&pri ntsec= trauma to an extent. frontcover & source=kp_read_ button&redir-esc=y.

References Schiraldi, Glen. The Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Sourcebook: A Guide to Uri: The Surgical Strike. Directed by Healing, Recovery, and Growth. Adithya Dhar, performances by Mc Graw Hill, 2009. Google Books, Vicky Kaushal and Yami books.google.co.in/books?id=V6N7 Gautam, RSVP Movies, 2019. G1AgI9YC&pg=PR3&source=kp_re Bostaph, Lisa. Victimology: Crime ad- button & redir_esc=y. Victimization and Victim Services. Stein, Racheal. Vengeful Citizens, Violent Wolters Kluwer, 2017. Google States: A Theory of War and Books, Revenge. Cambridge University books.google.co.in/books?id=S9LfD Press, 2019.Google Books, gAAQBAJ&pg=PR3&source=kp_re books.google.co.in/books?id=FFuH ad_button&redi r_esc=y. DwA AQBAJ&pg=PA1&source=kp_read_b Caruth, Cathy. Unclaimed Experience: utton&re dir_esc=y. Trauma, Narrative and History. JHU

Press, 2016. Google Books,books.google.co.in/books/abo ut/Unclaimed_Experiance.html?id= OoYcDQBAJ&p rintsec=front cover & source=kp_read-button & redir_esc=y. Edkins, Jenny. Trauma and the Memory of Politics. Cambridge University