Page 105 - Final june 2018 converted and proofed for flipbook

Raazi Story: Set against the
backdrop of the Indo-Pak war interpersonal drama, thrilling us with
in 1971, an Indian girl marries a explosive emotions rather than gun-
Pakistani Army officer to spy for toting action.
her country.
Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy’s music lends

Raazi Review: ‘Raazi’ is credibility to the 70’s backdrop.
the true story of a Muslim girl The songs evoke patriotism without
Sehmat (Alia Bhatt) - a naïve and tipping over into nationalism, primarily
inexperienced Kashmiri whose enhanced by Gulzar’s lyrics. The
life changes when her father production design by Subrata
Hidayat Khan (Rajit Kapoor) seals Chakraborty and Amit Ray along with
her fate as an Indian spy. She Maxima Basu Golani’s costume design
undergoes rigorous training under further solidify the film’s authenticity,
Indian intelligence agent Khalid although a few cinematic liberties in
Mir (Jaideep Ahlawat) before the screenplay might take you out of
being married off to Pakistani it at specific points. Nevertheless, Alia
Army officer Iqbal Syed. On the Bhatt’s stellar performance keeps you
other side of the border, Sehmat invested in ‘Raazi’. Her transition from
gradually assimilates into Iqbal’s the gullible girl to a determined woman
family to uncover vital information is subtle. Alia keeps Sehmat’s true
while keeping her real motives alliance hidden just under the surface
hidden from them. from her new family, but fortunately, in
full view of the audience. Amidst all the

Vicky Kaushal’s nuanced turn life daughter onscreen. Arguably,
gives Iqbal a charming sincerity as he tries the film’s most substantial
to balance his attention between Sehmat’s relationship is between Khalid and
natural appeal, and the love for his country. Sehmat. Jaideep Ahlawat tactfully
Iqbal’s father, played by Shishir Sharma, plays Khalid as a stoic patriot
lends a commanding presence to Brigadier who deliberately restrains his
Syed as a man committed to his official duties concern for Sehmat. They share
over his family. Back home, Rajit Kapoor an underlying bond of unease
makes his mark as Hidayat who reluctantly mingled with mutual respect that
chooses his daughter’s destiny, placing is tangible even when they’re
the devotion of his country above all else. not onscreen together. Director
Of course, there’s an undeniable delight in Meghna Gulzar uses this tension
seeing Soni Razdan play mother to her real- to further the intrigue around the

compelling performances, this is Alia’s film
as she continues to push her boundaries as
an actor while challenging our expectations
of her. In the same vein, ‘Raazi’ defies the
spy genre’s traditional expectations of full-
blown action sequences. Instead, Meghna
Gulzar’s steady hand gradually ramps up the
tension throughout, leading to an explosive
final act in this strong dramatic thriller. It also
leaves you questioning the repercussions of
war on the human psyche.

www.thebmagazine.com DALLAS | JUNE 2018 | VOL 153 105