Sarzameen - Movie Review

It's a rant actually.

It doesn't matter what the discussion is around nepo kids, I for one, am is actually rooting for Ibrahim Ali Khan. He has everything going right for him genetically, but you would need a strong director at the helm to get the best work out of you.

"Sarzameen" is basic at best, and looks more like a big budget home video. The whole inner conflict of the col. Vijay is covered in 2 min generic memory. Really hasty screenplay, IAK entry is so lazy, side characters get better entry than him. Aur Indian Army Bhajiya hai kya? You can't just release the most wanted terrorist on your own will and change your mind at the last moment.

Prithviraj said that Sarzeem would have been a better launch movie for IAK, I disagree, not that Nadaniyaan was any better but it still had a coherent storyline.

If you compare this with the recent success of Ahaan Pandey, and it will be compared, apart from his skill the biggest advantage he had was Mohit Suri, a capable director who has proved himself in the past.

The trouble with Karan Johar is too much of an experiment. You can't just put all your eggs in one basket. Have at least someone who could anchor the film.

Also, it doesn't help that IAK is not able to find the "sur"/ tempo of the character. He is nonchalant and bloody one minute and timid the next. Moreover, he doesn't even get time to establish his character and backstory. Ideally the time taken to build his credibility and relationship with his mother was all covered under "a few days later".

When the whole crew got kurtas to wear, why IAK get to spot tshirts and jackets? kuch to character ka lihaj rakho. Dialogues are also Mashallah, IAK says "kamjoor hu mai" with such a deadpan look.

If I compare it with films from the 90s, it doesn't miss a beat. The problem is we have seen so much better cinema that just average doesn't cut. The makers and the actors have to put a bit more of themselves in their craft. Don't release something for the sake of it, make something you truly believe in and want the world to know about.

The climax is just plain funny. Who is writing these scripts? It doesn't tie up. There is no reference of Mohsin's story line all this while and suddenly everything blows apart. Climax is added just as a cheap bait.

It was Kajol who literally lit up the screen in first part, I wanted to see more of her. The performances of both the antagonist were worth the mention. Lazy script, Rushed direction and sad dialogues did not have much to do for Prthviraj and Ibrahim. Prithviraj still salvage his part somehow, Ibrahim simply fell flat. Music of the film is the only thing that brings some minor life to the screenplay. Movie was released on Jio Hotstar instead of Theatres even after sporting big names, this talks volume about the faith of the makers on their own film. They were not wrong either, atleast in this case. Karan Johar refuses to lose money even on bad products. He has a way to keep re-inventing himself and his brand. I don't think IAK will have that luxury.

The competition is fierce and people want quality content. The tag of " I am not a trained artist " is not appreciated anymore. On that, IAK's movie choices are bad. He should take a page from his father's book and stick with experienced film makers, actor or small yet solid parts so that he learns the craft well. He has a lot of potential and I am still rooting for him. I won't lie I have a soft spot for both him and Sara. Right now it seems like, both kids are venturing towards the same fate, unless they quickly upgrade themselves and their choices.