Riva Arora Recalls Vicky Kaushal’s Emotional Response to Her War Cry Scene on Uri Set

Child actress Riva Arora, who played Vicky Kaushal’s on-screen niece in the 2019 blockbuster Uri: The Surgical Strike, has shared a heartwarming behind-the-scenes memory that highlights the actor’s emotional depth and supportive nature on set. In a recent interview with Filmygyan, the now-teenage Riva, then just nine years old during filming, revealed that Kaushal—whom she still affectionately calls “Vicky Mamu”—was moved to tears by her powerful delivery of the film’s iconic war cry scene, despite it not being his shot.

The moment, which has become one of Indian cinema’s most goosebump-inducing sequences, shows Riva’s character reciting “How’s the josh?” in a trembling yet defiant voice after losing her father in combat, sparking the film’s signature rallying cry.

Recalling the take that made it to the final cut, Riva said the entire set fell silent when director Aditya Dhar called “cut”. Kaushal, she revealed, clapped the loudest, rushed to her, hugged her tightly, and cheered her on. “He started crying,” she shared, adding that Kaushal later confirmed in interviews that her performance had genuinely overwhelmed him.

“When he told me that, I felt I had proved myself. “I was in seventh heaven,” Riva said. She contrasted his intense on-screen persona as Major Vihaan Shergill with his off-camera warmth, describing how the two would shoot fun videos together between takes, much to Dhar’s playful exasperation during emotional scenes.

Uri: The Surgical Strike, directed by first-time filmmaker Aditya Dhar, went on to become a cultural phenomenon, grossing over ₹350 crore worldwide and sweeping the 67th National Film Awards with honours for Best Actor (Kaushal), Best Director, and others.

The film’s realistic portrayal of the 2016 Indian Army surgical strikes across the Line of Control resonated deeply with audiences, with Riva’s war cry scene and Kaushal’s electrifying “How’s the josh?” response entering everyday lexicon. Six years later, Riva’s anecdote underscores the authentic emotional connection forged on set, even as Kaushal has since delivered acclaimed performances in films like Sardar Udham, Sam Bahadur, and the recent Chhaava.

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The revelation has delighted fans, many of whom revisited the iconic scene and praised Kaushal’s humility and mentorship toward a child co-star. Riva, now an established influencer and actor herself, continues to credit Uri as a turning point in her career, while Kaushal’s gesture remains a testament to his reputation as one of Bollywood’s most grounded and generous superstars. As she put it, “Offscreen he was the sweetest person, the most amazing person.”

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