Review and Rating for Sarzameen: Sarzameen moves quickly and has some intense emotional moments, but despite her best efforts, she fails to express herself effectively.
Sarzameen movie review and rating: Sarzameen, directed by Kayoze Irani, explores a number of topics through the eyes of a military family embroiled in political and personal strife, including trauma, radicalization, patriotism, and fatherhood. Although there are intense moments in the movie, it rapidly veers off course and never quite lands its narrative or emotional arcs.
Major Vijay Menon (Prithviraj Sukumaran), a stern army man stationed in Kashmir, is the protagonist of the tale. He has a military history and the emotional scars from growing up with a strict, frigid father. Unbeknownst to him, he transfers the same strain to his own kid, Harman (Ibrahim Ali Khan), who suffers from a speech impairment and a strong sense of inferiority. Meher (Kajol), a mother who comprehends her son’s quiet more fully than her husband’s values, is caught in the middle.
Harman is pushed in an unexpected direction when a terrorist exchange scheme fails. He becomes a part of the very world his father is fighting against because he feels furious and unwelcome. Now on the opposing side is Harman, a small child who has been transformed into a weapon and is prepared to go to startling lengths. The movie then turns into a debate over whether love, whether it be parental or not, can repair that harm.
On paper, the film’s concepts are compelling. It seeks to address issues of hereditary trauma, the growth of hatred in the absence of love, and the question of whether atonement is ever achievable. However, Sarzameen lacks the self-control and clarity necessary to fulfill that promise on film. Characters abruptly and unexplainably shift. Beats of emotion come and go too fast. More than “what next?” you’re left wondering “why?” Nevertheless, the movie moves quickly. Boredom has no place here because there’s always something going on. Even while you might not understand every twist in its reasoning, you’re at least interested in where it’s going.
In the end, Kajol is Sarzameen’s only true savior. Her genuine performance adds much-needed emotional authenticity to the movie. Despite his strong presence and continued skill, Prithviraj Sukumaran is sadly let down by the film’s most significant technical issue, which is the dubbing. No matter how dramatic the action is, it is so abrupt and out of rhythm that it really takes you out of the present.
Although Ibrahim Ali Khan has improved after Nadaaniyan, he still has his flaws. He excels in certain scenes, particularly the action sequences and shots where he focuses on that subdued, melancholy tone that doesn’t require much. He also displays some vulnerability, which is beneficial. However, it feels one-note when the job calls for genuine emotional depth. Mihir Ahuja performs admirably in a brief but significant role.
Only watch it if you’re interested in the plot or want to see Kajol play a significant role. However, don’t anticipate a cogent message or a fulfilling emotional arc.
