Review by Prashant Shukla
Plot :
Colonel Vijay Menon, raised on tough love, brings up his son Harman the same way, while his wife Meher often finds herself trying to keep the peace. But when Harman is kidnapped, disappears for eight years, and returns as a grown man, questions begin to surface. Is he really who he claims to be, or is something more unsettling at play? How will Vijay solve this puzzle is what forms the basic premise of the film.
Performances :
The performances in the film are just about decent. Prithviraj Sukumaran clearly stands out from the rest, bringing a steady presence to the screen. Kajol glides through her role with ease, as expected. But Ibrahim, sorry to be blunt, disappoints once again. The problem with him is that you know that he’s ACTING, you get me? Which is awkward to watch at times.
Generic Writing :
The film starts off on a familiar yet interesting note. An extremely brilliant soldier, fully committed to serving his country, but an absent father who’s somewhat ashamed of his son. It begins with some pretty heavy emotions, but as you move through each second of this 2 hour 17 minute film, the plot points, mystery solving, action, thrill, and almost everything from a writing point of view slips into ‘GENERIC’ mode. Even when the film tries to attempt something different, it either falls flat or ends up looking unintentionally dumb.
Basic Filmmaking Blunders :
Every film has its share of blunders, sometimes even major ones, but if the story and screenplay are engaging, they are easy to overlook. With Sarzameen, it is the opposite. The filmmaking errors are glaring. There is an 8 year jump in the story, and the only person who looks different is Ibrahim. His friend, supposedly the same age, is still played by the same actor with a fake looking beard, while Ibrahim returns as a Kashmiri stud with six pack abs. Also, there is a scene where a terrorist is shown training, and in the background, rock music is playing. Again… What? How? Why?
The Pacing :
There is not much to say here other than this — the film really tests your patience. Every plot point is stretched and squeezed to its last atom, yet still ends up feeling unconvincing in every aspect. It also tends to overdramatise certain emotional sequences that, again, just do not land. And to top it all off, there is a climax that drags on for far too long, leaving you at a point where you just want the film to end.
Final Verdict :
Nothing hits. Nothing stays. Just vibes — and not the good kind.
