MUMBAI: Meghna Gulzar’s spy thriller ‘Raazi’ is incredible true story of sacrifice of a valorous Kashmiri Muslim girl named ‘Sehmat’, a strong and an obedient daughter, perfect wife, and a fearless spy.
Alia Bhatt as badass ‘Sehmat’ delivers yet another jaw-dropping performance in spy-romantic flick, Raazi, which is based on the ‘Calling Sehmat’, a best-selling book by ex-naval officer, Harinder Sikka.
Sehmat, who was trained as a spy and risked her life by marrying a Pakistani army officer for the sole purpose of providing “India with classified information during the 1971 war.”
Wonder why it took so long? Perhaps Indian filmmakers were afraid to tell a story that raises questions of nationality and patriotic pride.
And then there is Meghna Gulzar. What took her so long to blossom as a filmmaker? After two false starts, “Filhaal” and “Just Married”, she erupted into a newly-forged self expression with “Talvar”.
Now in “Raazi”, which opens in May, Meghna’s telling of the story of Sehmat, the unsung hero who crossed the border in 1971, seems so structurally apt and urgent, it’s like a perfectly ripened fruit waiting to be plucked. Perhaps this particular political peach was waiting to be plucked only when Meghna collaborated with Alia Bhatt.
According to an interview with The Hindu, author Harinder Sikka was covering the 1999 Kargil war, and angry at the Indian Army’s alleged failure, he, “questioned the patriotism of certain people in the Intelligence Department.”
During one such discussion, the ex-naval officer came across an Army officer who shared the story about his mother, Sehmat (name changed) – unsung hero who left her mark on the Indian flag and our minds forever with patriotism, courage and determination.
Watch ‘Raazi’ trailer here:
Alia dazzles in the trailer, as she moves with feline agility from innocent Indian girl to devious bride, plotting training to get information for our country.
The trailer shows the director recreating the 1971 period without straining for effect. This is a highly inflammable subject, filled with grandiloquent drama and flamboyant fury.
An is set to hit the theatres on May 11.