Subtle, stunning, beautifully structured
ADelhi University student from Kashmir decides to follows in her father’s footsteps and become an agent in Pakistan. Down the road, she marries into a family of high-ranking Pakistani army officers, and begins to walk a razor’s edge. She knows that one mistake will blow her cover. What’s even more frightening is that you can see her slowly losing her grip.
It’s 1971. India and Pakistan are on the brink of war and information has become their most lethal weapon.
Based on Harinder Sikka’s novel, Calling Sehmat, Raazi is an account of what it was like to be an Indian agent at the time. Though the focus is Sehmat Khan (Alia Bhatt), director Meghna Gulzar zooms out to give the viewer a sense of the dangers that threatened.
Alia is stunningly effective as the agent living behind enemy lines — sharp, quick but conflicted. It helps that there is none of the glamourisation common to both Bollywood and Hollywood spy movies. Sehmat’s are not easy choices. Killing is not in her nature. Her transformation is the result of hard work and determination, not drama and righteousness. Raazi has no villains and plenty of greys. Vicky Kaus- hal as Iqbal, Sehmat’s loving but increasingly suspicious husband, offers able support.
Bhavani Iyer and Meghna Gulzar’s screenplay is beautifully structured and builds slowly to its climax. Its key characters are subtle, yet each has a gripping arc. As a result, actors like Jaideep Ahlawat and Kaushal are given a chance to shine.
The film is a welcome relief to the senses, being neither loud nor jingoistic. It marks another step in the right direction for Alia. Raazi required her to be restrained and mature, and she has grabbed the opportunity with both hands.
Towards the end, there is some sermonising on the follies of war and enmity, but it’s nothing you won’t readily forgive. This is a film not to be missed.