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India Today
16 hours ago
- Entertainment
- India Today
Sarzameen review: A film that forgets Sar, loses Zameen, still thinks it's patriotic
Another day, another story of maksad, jung, a lopsided sense of nationalism, and emotional arcs that Bollywood never gets entirely right while attempting a patriotic drama without jingoism. 'Sarzameen', from Karan Johar's Dharma Productions, has absolutely nothing that works - not for the genre, not for the makers, not for the actors and certainly not for the audience. The twist is not twisted enough, and the story seems to be written with the most fictionalised understanding of how the Indian Army or even terrorist outfits trailer already revealed the premise: an army officer's son is abducted, and he eventually turns into a terrorist after a life-altering incident. What the trailer didn't prepare us for was how the film takes this promising hook and turns it into a dull, baffling Ali Khan is not convincing as the rebellious son-turned-terrorist, and Prithviraj Sukumaran, despite his natural intensity, seems abandoned by both the writing (Ayush Soni, Kayoze Irani) and direction (Kayoze Irani, a debutant). Kajol, as the boy's mother, seems partly loud and partly lost - a character built on emotional cliches rather than real experiences. And then there's the believability - or the complete lack of it. Which national agency, in reality, would allow a terrorist to freely keep and raise an army officer's son? What kind of protocol-breaking, logic-defying world does this film operate in? Even more baffling is the portrayal of the army officer's wife. Anyone remotely familiar with the families of our armed forces would know the strength and dignity they carry - especially the women who stand tall in the face of unimaginable loss. We've seen them offer salutes, not screams, even as their loved ones return draped in the national flag. But here, Kajol's character is reduced to a howling, emotionally erratic version of a mother, stripped of the very steel that defines so many real-life army wives. Nothing dramatic, just deeply disconnected from reality.'Sarzameen' tries to be a film about the human cost of war, about radicalisation, and about how fragile the line is between loyalty and betrayal. But it ends up being a muddled mess of half-baked ideologies, lazy writing, and loud background music trying to make up for the lack of real intensity. You don't feel for the boy, you don't root for the father, and you don't mourn for the mother. The film never earns you do fall for the stunning Kashmir scenery. The place is pure magic, and you feel it - every single time the camera glides from lush meadows to endless skies embroidered with silver-tipped mountains. It's the one thing that stirs genuine emotion: the land itself, not the story unfolding on the action sequences - usually a saving grace in these dramas - feel strangely inert, like they were choreographed without stakes. The tension is missing, the urgency is absent, and the cinematography doesn't elevate the material beyond average. A subject this politically sensitive and emotionally rich deserved a far better saying 'Sarzameen' is all style and no soul would have been generous - it boils down to empty monologues and staggeringly flat performances, with Ibrahim struggling to rise above high-school-play levels of conviction. Watch it if you want to see how a promising idea can be flattened by poor execution.- Ends1.5 stars out of 5 for 'Sarzameen'.Trending Reel
India Today
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- India Today
I'm OK not having a release every six months: Kajol
(NOTE: This article was originally published in the India Today issue dated July 28, 2025)Q. In Sarzameen, you have worked with two newcomers—one behind the camera (Kayoze Irani) and one in front (Ibrahim Ali Khan). What was the energy on set like?Ibrahim is on the quieter side. He was into the character, given it is intense. I loved how Kayoze commanded the ship. We had long conversations about what the film should be saying and the subtext of its Do you think newcomers now have it easier than you did when you made your debut in 1992 I think it is easier for this generation, at least in the beginning. We were just thrown into the water, so it was sink or swim. That I feel is our strong point. Now, they have months of preparation—be it a dialogue coach or personal trainer or stylist, what to say or not to say.Q. You return to the Dharma banner after a decade. Sarzameen must have been compellingIt was really the script. I loved that it's an emotional film about three people who are thrown into different circumstances and how they all have to grow and adapt. Working on a Dharma film is very comfortable. On the first day, everyonewas like, 'Welcomeback, Ma'am.'Q. Three decades and still going strong. What's your magic potion? How have you adapted to the changing industry?You have to sip the potion slowly, and give it time to digest before taking the second sip. I've done selective work. I don't put unnecessary pressure on myself. I am OK not having a release every six to India Today Magazine- EndsMust Watch
India Today
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- India Today
Trouble in paradise
Q. In Sarzameen, you have worked with two newcomers—one behind the camera (Kayoze Irani) and one in front (Ibrahim Ali Khan). What was the energy on set like?
Time of India
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Kayoze Irani: What drew me in 'Sarzameen' was the father-son story at its core
Filmmaker-actor Kayoze Irani, who is gearing up for the release of his upcoming film 'Sarzameen', said what drew him to the movie was the "father-son story at its core." Kayoze said: "When I first read the broad outline of Sarzameen, I knew by the time I reached the interval that I was going to do this film. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now It had everything: action, drama, emotion, thrill, but what drew me in was the father-son story at its core. " Always liked emotional films He added: "I've always been drawn to films with an emotional undercurrent, like 'Bajrangi Bhaijaan'. This one felt real and deeply relatable." Kayoze talked about his bond with his father and veteran actor Boman Irani. "I share a beautiful bond with my father, and there's always something uniquely unsaid, yet powerful, between a father and son; that's what made this story so special to me," he added. About the film Talking about "Sarzameen", the film stars as Vijay Menon, a man torn between a father's love and a soldier's duty, as Meher, a mother who fights against all olds to keep her family intact, and as Harman, a vulnerable young man caught at crossroads. The film marks the feature directorial debut of Kayoze Irani and is produced by Hiroo Yash Johar, Karan Johar, Adar Poonawalla, and Apoorva Mehta under the banner of Dharma Productions. The film is touted to be a tribute to the spirit of the nation, exploring themes of sacrifice, fractured loyalties, and the emotional weight of choosing between blood ties and a higher calling. 'Sarzameen' to stream on JioHotstar from July 25. Kayoze made his acting debut in 2012 with 'Student Of The Year' starring Alia Bhatt, Varun Dhawan and Sidharth Malhotra. He was then seen in films such as 'Bombay Talkies', 'Youngistaan' and 'The Legend of Michael Mishra'. He directed a story for the 2021 anthology Ajeeb Daastaans titled 'Ankahi', starring Shefali Shah and Manav Kaul.
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India.com
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- India.com
Ve Mahiya Song: Ibrahim Ali Khan-Starrer Sarzameen's New Track Out
Mumbai : Singer B Praak has lent his vocals to the 'Ve Mahiya' track from the 'Sarzameen' film. Here you can check out the song's video: Directed by Kayoze Irani, the film stars Prithviraj Sukumaran as Vijay Menon--a man torn between a father's love and a soldier's duty, Kajol as Meher--a mother who fights against all odds to keep her family intact, and Ibrahim Ali Khan as Harman--a vulnerable young man caught at a crossroads. Ibrahim Ali, in a press note, expressed his experience, saying, "Sarzameen is an emotional milestone I'll carry forever. It challenged me in ways I never imagined, not just as an actor, but as a person too. My character is torn between love, loyalty, and truth, and navigating that emotional spectrum was the most intense learning curve. It was a treasure trove to see Kajol Ma'am and Prithviraj Sir in action. They are so gracious and effortless in their art, and this pushed me to put my best foot forward. Kayoze too pushed me in all the right ways--he demanded depth, stillness, and vulnerability. I have put my heart and soul into Sarzameen and I hope the audiences enjoy watching the film. Stories like Sarzameen deserve to be seen and felt by everyone, everywhere." Sarzameen is produced by Hiroo Yash Johar, Karan Johar, Adar Poonawalla, and Apoorva Mehta under the banner of Dharma Productions. It will be out on JioHotstar on July 25.
