Close X
Sunday, November 24, 2024
ADVT 
Bollywood

Raazi Movie Review: A Film Like Raazi Needs To Be Made

Troy Ribeiro IANS, 11 May, 2018 01:32 PM
  • Raazi Movie Review: A Film Like Raazi Needs To Be Made
Director: Meghna Gulzar
 
 
Cast: Alia Bhatt, Vicky Kaushal, Soni Razdan, Jaideep Ahlawat, Rajit Kapur, Shishir Sharma, Arif Zakaria
 
 
Rating: * * * 1/2
 
 
Director Meghna Gulzar's "Raazi" based on Harinder S. Sikka's novel, "Calling Sehmat" is not a conventional espionage thriller, but it does depend upon surprises, thrilling moments and unexpected revelation of characters and they grow naturally out of the story.
 
 
Set in the early 1970s just before the India-Pakistan war and inspired from real events, "Raazi" is the tale of a Kashmiri girl, Sehmat Khan (Alia Bhatt) whose life changes after she gets to know her dying father's last wish. As a dutiful daughter, she can do little but surrender to his passion and patriotism and follow the path he has so planned for her.
 
 
So from an ordinary, college-going girl she is trained by an Indian intelligence agent Khalid Mir (Jaideep Ahlawat) to become a deadly spy. She is then married off to Iqbal Syed (Vicky Kaushal), the son of the well-connected Pakistani Brigadier Parvez Syed (Shishir Sharma) and her mission is to regularly pass information to the Indian intelligence.
 
 
 
 
How Sehmat survives her stint in Pakistan, forms the crux of the tale.
 
 
With perfect infusion of sentiments in a gripping plot, the story touches one's heart especially because of Alia Bhatt's power-packed performance. In an author-backed role, she is natural and undoubtedly captures your heart with her restrained and mature act.
 
 
Vicky Kaushal as Iqbal Syed has little to do on screen. But, within the given screen-time he shines brilliantly, especially at the end when he realises that his marriage was just a farce and he earnestly asks Sehmat, if the moments which they spent together were for real?
 
 
Among the supporting cast; Rajit Kapur as Sehmat's father Hidayat Khan, Shishir Sharma as Iqbal's father Brigadier Parvez Syed, Soni Razdaan as Sehmat's mother are all effective and effortless.
 
 
 
 
The only odd one out was Arif Zakaria, portraying Abdul, the family help of the Syeds. With his standoffish get-up and mysterious demeanour, he stood out like a sore thumb and seemed cliched.
 
 
Also, Sanjay Suri's guest appearance is a clever ploy by the director to stamp a loaded statement.
 
 
With excellent production values, Jay I. Patel's cinematography captures the performances and the era to perfection. Shankar- Ehsaan-Loy's music elevates the viewing experiences.
 
 
 
 
Overall, Raazi offers a subtle dose of patriotism that makes you root for the film as it brings to life the story of the unsung heroine of the India-Pakistan war.

MORE Bollywood ARTICLES

Why Not Death Sentence, Asks Rakhi Sawant On Asaram's Conviction

Why Not Death Sentence, Asks Rakhi Sawant On Asaram's Conviction
Controversial actress Rakhi Sawant is happy that self-styled godman Asaram has been "punished" for raping a minor girl but she wonders why he was given only a life sentence.

Why Not Death Sentence, Asks Rakhi Sawant On Asaram's Conviction

Mallika Sherawat On India Becoming 'Land Of Gang Rapists'

Mallika Sherawat On India Becoming 'Land Of Gang Rapists'
Mallika was interacting with the media at the special screening of "Daas Dev" on Wednesday here.

Mallika Sherawat On India Becoming 'Land Of Gang Rapists'

Sexual Favours Happen In Entertainment, Political World: Shatrughan Sinha

After choreographer Saroj Khan and senior Congress leader Renuka Chowdhary, actor-politician Shatrughan Sinha says sexual favours are demanded in and given in both the entertainment and the political world.

Sexual Favours Happen In Entertainment, Political World: Shatrughan Sinha

Karan Johar Used To Think He Is 'Different'

Filmmaker Karan Johar, who along with Y-Films introduced a specially-abled teens band 6 Pack Band 2.0, says as a child there were times when he used to feel different from others.

Karan Johar Used To Think He Is 'Different'

Bill Cosby Convicted Of Drugging And Molesting A Woman

Bill Cosby Convicted Of Drugging And Molesting A Woman
Cosby, 80, could end up spending his final years in prison after a jury concluded he sexually violated Toronto native and Temple University employee Andrea Constand at his suburban Philadelphia home in 2004.

Bill Cosby Convicted Of Drugging And Molesting A Woman

Sunnyy Singh’s new track out now – Selfian!

Sunnyy Singh’s new track out now – Selfian!
Indo-Canadian Punjabi singer Sunnyy Singh made his second release in the Punjabi music industry with his latest track, Selfian

Sunnyy Singh’s new track out now – Selfian!