Inside the massive scale of ‘108 Base Hospital Uri’: A world of army hospital built in the heart of Kashmir

This Independence Day, COLORS ventured into uncharted territory, taking the Indian entertainment space where it has never gone before with a genre rarely, if ever, explored on screen – the army hospital series. With ‘108 Base Hospital Uri’, produced by Epic Company, the HGEC turns the spotlight to the world of an army hospital, where doctors wage a different kind of war, fighting against time, trauma and death, to save the soldiers who guard the nation. Starring Erica Fernandes as Dr. Major Naina Sanyal, Gashmeer Mahajani as Dr Major Anirudh Jaiswal, Nikkhil Khurana as Major Sameer Dixit, the show captures the world of military medicine, mounted on an ambitious cinematic scale and grounded in real-world authenticity.

Set against the scenic landscapes of Kashmir, the show shifts the spotlight from the battlefield to the army hospital, where doctors and medical personnel treat soldiers brought in from conflict zones while operating under extraordinary pressure. But creating that world required far more than elaborate sets and dramatic action; it demanded months of research, specialist consultation, military permissions and rigorous training for the cast and crew.

From months of research to the smallest medical detail
Authenticity was at the heart of the show right from the beginning. The research for ‘108 Base Hospital Uri’ had already been underway for nearly a year before the creative collaboration began, followed by another six to seven months of extensive consultations. The team reached out to 10-15 doctors, including retired army doctors who had served in forward areas such as Uri and Rajouri. Their experiences, anecdotes and accounts of real medical emergencies became an important source for developing the show’s characters and stories. Among the fascinating real-life cases that inspired the narrative was that of a soldier who suffered a bullet injury to the head and subsequently lost the ability to sleep. The unusual medical condition and the treatment that followed have also found their way into the show. To further ensure accuracy, the production had two dedicated military consultants – Colonel Rohit Jha, a retired army officer who advised on military behaviour, uniforms, equipment and cases involving militancy, and Colonel Dr. Anup Krishnan, a retired army doctor who guided the team on the medical aspects of the show.

The Indian Army joined in
The show’s authenticity extends beyond research. ‘108 Base Hospital Uri’ was filmed with the full assistance of the Indian Army, with special permissions obtained for the use of army vehicles, uniforms, equipment and other military assets. When the team travelled to Bhaderwah, the local Rashtriya Rifles unit supported the production with vehicles and manpower. Importantly, several of the soldiers seen on screen are real army personnel rather than actors, lending the military sequences an added layer of realism. Even the army ambulances and other vehicles featured in the show are real assets provided by the Army. Every uniform and military asset had to be checked for accuracy, with Colonel Rohit Jha ensuring that the details were correctly represented. A liaison officer was also present during the shoot to ensure that the military aspects were portrayed appropriately. Once the episodes were completed, they were reviewed by Army Headquarters, with the production requiring clearance before the material could be aired.

Bhaderwah became Uri
While the show’s story is set in Uri, the production recreated the region extensively in Bhaderwah, Kashmir. The team transformed the location into the fictional 108 Base Hospital, constructing a hospital set with wooden architecture and interiors to reflect the visual character of the region. But the scale of the shoot went far beyond the hospital set. The team filmed across remote forests and mountainous terrain, often in areas where there was no mobile network. Communication itself became a challenge, with the crew relying on walkie-talkies and even those had limitations because the base was several kilometres away from the shooting locations. The final schedule proved particularly demanding. The climax, an elaborate action sequence, was filmed in Bhaderwah amid persistent rain. Slippery ground, fire, elaborate action choreography and difficult terrain created additional risks for the cast and crew, forcing the team to exercise extreme caution while shooting.

_*The actors’ prep*_
For the actors, authenticity meant extensive preparation. The cast underwent around 15-20 workshops covering both military and medical training. The army workshops covered everything from holding a rifle and saluting to wearing the uniform correctly, speaking to fellow personnel and understanding the physicality and conduct expected of army officers. The medical preparation was equally intensive. Under the guidance of Colonel Dr. Anup Krishnan and trained medical professionals, the actors learnt how to handle surgical instruments, communicate inside an operation theatre and perform procedures correctly. On the OT set, a trained surgeon supervised the sequences to ensure that the actors’ body language was accurate – from putting on gloves and gowns to handling surgical equipment.

‘108 Base Hospital – Uri’ premieres on Independence Day and thereafter airs Saturday-Sunday at 8:00 PM only on COLORS and JioHotstar.