Sarzameen Movie Review: Ibrahim Ali Khan’s Debut Thriller Fails to Impress
Sarzameen movie review: Ibrahim Ali Khan’s debut, also starring Prithviraj Sukumaran and Kajol, is a slow and unconvincing thriller now streaming on JioHotstar.
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Rating: ⭐⭐☆☆☆ (2.5/5)
Genre: Drama, Thriller, Political
Duration: 2 hr 17 mins
Streaming on: JioHotstar
Synopsis
Despite being billed as a political thriller, Sarzameen, the most recent film from Dharma Productions and directed by Kayoze Irani, plays more like a leisurely family drama. The movie, which stars Prithviraj Sukumaran, Kajol, and Ibrahim Ali Khan, who is making his film debut, fails to live up to the hype.
A plot
With his wife Meher (Kajol) and kid Harman (Ronav Parihar), Colonel Vijay Menon (Prithviraj Sukumaran) is a devoted Army officer stationed in Kashmir. Though Vijay's inflexible views on masculinity cause a rift between them, Harman, who stammers, longs for his father's acceptance.
When terrorists use Harman as leverage, Vijay is forced to choose between his family and his country. Notwithstanding the potential of this idea, the screenplay falls short in producing compelling tension or emotional depth.
Writing and Guidance
The film, which was written by Soumil Shukla and Arun Singh, attempts to bridge the gap between family ties and high-stakes drama, but falls short. Especially in the second half, when forced twists override rationality, the story drags. The impact is further lessened by the pacing problems and loose storytelling of director Kayoze Irani.
Performances
- Ibrahim Ali Khan, in his much-anticipated debut, appears miscast and delivers a flat performance that lacks intensity.
- Although they contribute some gravitas, Prithviraj Sukumaran and Kajol are limited by clichéd roles that prevent them from stealing the show.
- Mihir Ahuja, KC Shankar, and Jitendra Joshi are examples of supporting performers who are still underutilised.
The music
The music by Vishal Khurana and the poignant lyrics by Kausar Munir are the most notable aspects of Sarzameen. Shreya Ghoshal, Sonu Nigam, and Mohit Chauhan's three heartfelt renditions of the song Aaj Tuk Jaa supply the emotional beats that the script frequently lacks.
Final Verdict
The final act of Sarzameen moves at a painfully slow pace, and even after the climax, an unnecessary “explainer ending” undermines the twist. Much like Sikandar Ka Muqaddar, the film does not trust its audience to piece things together.
Verdict: Sarzameen is a disappointing political thriller that neither thrills nor resonates emotionally.
