Sarzameen, directed by the dubutant Kayoze Irani (Son of Bomman Irani), bankrolled by Dharma Productions and starring Prithviraj Sukumaran, Kajol, and Ibrahim Ali Khan is now streaming on the popular digital platform JioHotstar.
Story
The narrative centers around army officer Vijay Menon (Prithviraj Sukumaran), whose unwavering loyalty to his nation leads him to prioritize it over his own family. After capturing two dangerous terrorists, he is threatened by the ISI, which warns that harm will come to his son if he does not comply. Confronted with a heart-wrenching choice, Vijay opts for his duty, believing his son, Harman, to be deceased. Years later, Harman (Ibrahim Ali Khan) unexpectedly returns, but Vijay is skeptical. Is this truly his son, or could it be a deceptive tactic by terrorists designed to infiltrate his life and shatter his resolve?
Performances
Despite being a talented actor known for films such as Classmates, Mumbai Police, Memories, and Ayyappanum Koshiyum, Prithviraj Sukumaran feels underutilized in this role. His portrayal comes across as forced, marked by exaggerated expressions and dramatic pauses that editing cannot adequately disguise. The lack of subtlety in his character’s development is jarring, especially in comparison to his previous nuanced performances.
Kajol, who plays Mehar, performs adequately but is hindered by clichéd dialogues and outdated emotional expressions. Her character lacks complexity, descending into the stereotype of the distraught mother caught between her husband and son.
In his second film, Ibrahim Ali Khan shows improvement from his previous work, managing to deliver a few strong emotional moments and engaging action scenes that suggest he has promise. Jitendra Joshi infuses intensity into his limited role, while Mihir Ahuja, Boman Irani, and supporting actors Abdul Quadir Amin and Rohed Khan fulfill their roles adequately.
Behind the scenes
On a technical level, Sarzameen has its strengths. The cinematography beautifully showcases Kashmir’s breathtaking scenery, and several close-up shots are skillfully composed. The production design captures authenticity as well. However, these positives are overshadowed by a sluggish frame rate and subpar editing that make the film feel slower than necessary.
The suspense fails to reach its potential, a critical failure for a thriller and this turns out to be a major disadvantage. Though the music aligns with the film’s serious tone and thematically supports the narrative, it lacks memorable melodies that appease the aesthetic senses. The background score often detracts from key scenes, elongating moments that are already lacking in excitement. Although some song lyrics are well-crafted, they struggle to stand out in the film’s slow-paced flow.
Final Verdict
The emotional turmoil could have resonated more deeply if it had been approached with subtlety and grace. Instead, Sarzameen devolves into an overly dramatized shouting match. At a length of 137 minutes, the film drags with a lethargic pace, reminiscent of a soap opera stretched into a full-length feature. Many sections could have been trimmed or restructured for clarity and focus. Yet, the film seems preoccupied with surface-level emotions, neglecting the development of its characters.
The theme—an exploration of a soldier’s battle between duty to his country and familial bonds, alongside a son’s return from adversity—called for a sharp, intense, and emotionally astute treatment. A more experienced director could have easily transformed this premise into a gripping thriller. In contrast, Kayoze Irani appears more inclined toward theatrical melodrama than nuanced storytelling. The film resembles a drawn-out television serial rather than a tightly woven cinematic experience. While the final act brings a surge of energy with an unexpected twist that revitalizes the narrative, the earlier disconnect has already diminished the audience’s investment.
Sarzameen possesses strong intentions and a genuinely intriguing premise, but it falters due to outdated storytelling and slow pacing despite commendable performances by Prithviraj Sukumaran and Ibrahim Ali Khan.
