Cast: Alia Bhatt, Vicky Kaushal, Rajit Kapur, Soni Razdan, Shishir Sharma, and others.
Rating: 4.5/5
Wearing a pink outfit, and looking fresh for the summer, walked a beautiful girl, who is adored by millions in the world. This was sometime around last week, where I met Alia Bhatt during Raazi promotions. She was asked to offer her take on patriotism, to which she swiftly and quickly answered “What we think is being patriotic is quite opposite to what is true. We shouldn’t just love the country but should participate and be actively involved in activities directly not related to us.” I thought it was a good answer, however cliché, but right after a week, releases the film, watching which I realised what she meant.
Based on a true story and adapted from a part of Harinder Sikka’s book Calling Sehmat, is Alia Bhatt and Vicky Kaushal starrer Raazi, written and directed by Meghna Gulzar.
20-year-old Sehmat is a student at Delhi University, who stays away from her parents Hidayat Khan (Rajit Kapur) and Teji Khan (Soni Razdan). After meeting his friend Brigadier Syed (Shishir Sharma) in Pakistan, Hidayat returns to India and realises a conspiracy against India. Due to ill health, Hidayat quits but ensures Sehmat takes up the responsibility. She gets trained by the best officials and soon Hidayat gets her married to Brigadier Syed’s son, Iqbal Syed (Vicky Kaushal). There begins her journey as a spy, whose only intention is to keep the nation safe, for which she goes to the extremes of possibilities.
Screenplay by Bhavani Iyer and Meghna Gulzar is flawless, and the duo has ensured that it is tight and to-the-point. The emotional ups and downs in the film are well thought, and Meghna has spread the moments throughout the film, keeping the audience glued to the seats (sometimes bringing them to the edge with the excitement and thrill). The film has one important line about the love for the nation, and that has been repeated several times, but integrated seamlessly throughout.
Sehmat’s character is written with care and intricate nuances. Alia Bhatt’s heartwarming performance - from playing a gullible college girl and a daughter to transforming into a strong-willed, determined spy and a loveable daughter-in-law – will win you over, easily. She juggles the chemistry with her characters really well, be it with Iqbal, Hidayat or Khalid (Jaideep Ahlawat). She once again proves to be one of the finest actors in Indian Cinema, and one of the most promising ladies in the industry today. Vicky Kaushal strikingly balances the strong and the soft sides Iqbal Syed, especially during the climax where he is torn between love for the nation and his wife.
Music by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy and lyrics penned by Gulzar create magic. The songs and the score definitely kindle the patriotic soul.
To sum it up, this directorial venture by Megha Gulzar is bound to evoke emotions. You will love the film, both for the story and for Alia Bhatt. There are a lot of moments packed in Raazi which one would enjoy in this 140-minute experience. Go for it, for I’m sure you will walk out smiling with humming ‘Ae watan watan mere aabaad rahe tu.’
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