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 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 ISSN: 2581-8333 Copyright © SP Publications Page 93 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. ISSN: 2581-8333 Copyright © SP Publications Page 94 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 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 ISSN: 2581-8333 Copyright © SP Publications Page 95 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.