Sarzameen

The much-hyped Sarzameen, a film that promised a gripping, high-stakes socio-political thriller, arrives with a resounding thud rather than a roar. Instead of a tense and immersive experience, viewers are left with a tedious, formulaic mess that struggles to justify its lengthy runtime. It's a cinematic misstep that fails on almost every conceivable level.

The primary issue lies in the convoluted and deeply unoriginal script. The narrative feels less like a finely tuned clock and more like a collection of discarded plot points awkwardly stitched together. The central mystery is so heavily telegraphed in the first act that any semblance of surprise is lost long before the climax. Subplots involving a generic family drama and a shoehorned romance not only fail to land but actively detract from the already weak main story. The pacing is glacial, with key moments stretched out to the point of exhaustion and crucial emotional beats completely glossed over, leaving the audience feeling detached and bored.

Compounding these script issues are the uninspired performances. The lead actor, often celebrated for their intensity, seems to be going through the motions here, delivering dialogue with a flat, monotonous tone. Their character lacks any real depth or motivation, making it impossible to root for them. The supporting cast fares no better, with many characters existing solely as exposition dumps or as archetypes who react in predictably clichéd ways. The palpable lack of chemistry between the leads makes their romantic arc feel entirely unearned and out of place, serving only to halt the plot's already stuttering momentum.

The direction is equally pedestrian. The camera work is static and uninspired, doing little to build tension or atmosphere. The film's washed-out color palette makes every scene feel drab and unengaging. The director appears content to rely on slow-motion shots and an overbearing background score to convey importance, rather than trusting the story or the actors to do so. In the end, Sarzameen is a monumental disappointment-a film that's neither thrilling nor emotionally resonant. Save your time and money; this "land" is not worth visiting.

Anwar Says: Banner of Dharma Productions, directed by Boman Irani son Kayaz Irani and cast includes Superstar Prithwiraj, Saif Ali Khan's son Ibrahim and one of the most talented actors Kajol, enough to be awake till 2.30 am to finish it in one go. But in spite of all the emotional angle in 500th film made on valley, it could not flourish.

Ibrahim was a real bad choice, after Nadaniyan, absolutely don't know what forced Irani to choose him as the pivotal character. Prithwiraj is excellent in emotional sequences but the biggest setback is Kajol. Director couldn't exploit her at all, not even in the twist. We have such great movies on Kashmir that even a mediocre one could not compete. Climax hardly ignite any excitement.

The only thing I am going to appreciate is the songs and music, you would not feel like using remote. Probably better option streaming on other platforms.

#jiohotstar #anwarsays #kashmirvalley #fathersonrelationship #kajol #prithwirajsukumaran #ibrahimalikhan #bomanirani #nothingnew.

A movie which claims itself to be patriotic fail to deliver patriotism. It shows how a military man is emotionally driven which is totally opposite also harman who is a terrorist is not killed just because he is the son of military man. Is there any mean of the movie?

Producer and Writer must be answerable for the script...

Sarzameen is a half decent Kashmir-set thriller that never quite reaches its potential. The film follows an Army officer torn between duty and family, creating conflict when his military principles damage his relationship with his son.

There are clear echoes of Shakti (1982) in the father-son conflict, but where that film had two powerhouse actors creating electric tension, here the mismatch between Prithviraj's commanding presence and Ibrahim's limited range makes the central conflict feel uneven.

Prithviraj Sukumaran delivers a strong performance as the patriotic father, bringing necessary gravitas to anchor the film. Ibrahim Ali Khan shows improvement from Nadaaniyan but remains dramatically lightweight. Kajol is wasted in an underwritten role that doesn't utilise her talents properly.

Kayoze Irani's directorial debut handles the Kashmir conflict with reasonable sensitivity, though the execution feels safe rather than bold.

The script could easily have been trimmed by 30 min, or chopped at the editing table, and that is the film's biggest bane. The pacing drags considerably in places, emotional beats often feel contrived, and the film plays things too safely when it should take risks.

It's watchable but frustratingly ordinary given its strong premise.

Rating: 6.5/10 (Good performances can't quite elevate predictable material that wastes its dramatic potential)

I recently watched Sarzameen with the hope that it would offer a powerful narrative about a complex geopolitical issue. Unfortunately, the film fell short on almost every front. It was disappointing, poorly structured, and left no lasting impression.

Plot: The storyline lacked depth and clarity. The plot revolved around sensitive themes like Kashmir, India, and Pakistan, but the treatment felt forced and oversimplified. There was no emotional buildup, no twists, and nothing that held the audience's attention. The movie felt like it was trying to say something important, but failed to deliver it meaningfully. Overall, the plot was confusing and bland.

Acting: The performances were underwhelming. Most of the actors appeared expressionless or overly dramatic in the wrong moments. It felt like they were trying too hard, yet failing to connect with the characters or the viewers. There was no standout performance that could save the film. Even intense scenes felt lifeless due to poor acting and lack of chemistry between the cast.

Direction & Visuals: The direction was sloppy. There was no consistent tone or pacing throughout the film. The visuals were plain and uninspired, and shockingly, the film had almost no background music, which made several scenes fall flat. Music is essential for building atmosphere, but here, the silence added awkwardness instead of tension.

Overall Impression: Sarzameen had potential, but it ended up being a paltu movie-confused, politically tinted, and emotionally disconnected. The lack of storytelling finesse, poor performances, and uninspired direction make it hard to recommend. I believe the makers could have done much better with such a relevant subject.