Raazi - Behind Enemy Lines !

#Raazi : Sehmat Khan (not real name ) , whose character Alia Bhat is portraying in Raazi died last month. The lady whose intelligence input helped Indian Navy save INS Vikrant  in 1971 wanted to be buried in peace and unknown to the world.  That’s the destiny of a spy. They are torn between multiple identities, live a faceless life and embrace an unsung Hero’s death. They sacrifice their own lives for the nation, without expecting anything in return. May be their tribe has found the “purpose” that so many of us are struggling to find.   When the author of the book “Calling Sehmat” on which Raazi is based ,met her at  MalerKotla ( Punjab) he asked her why she is staying there . She replied “because Abdul (the servant at her in laws place in Pakistan) was originally from that place.” When asked how Abdul died she replied she crushed him under the truck. A sensitive Kashmiri Muslim (apologies for bringing the identity into this , but this is important considering the times we live in) crushed her favourite servant under a truck because she loved her county , India , more .   A spy’s life – where you even do things, that tears you apart, to safeguard your country, every single  time. 

Meghna Gulzar , who showed lots of promise with her first film “Filhal” and did a fabulous job with her last “ Talvar” this time around decides to direct a real life espionage drama that has a human touch to it . The film goes beyond the normal cat and mouse chase to explore the emotional struggle that Shemat undergoes, the choices she makes at moments of conflict. It is a film that promotes patriotism and yet stays far away from any kind of jingoism.  It is a film that allows nationals of two countries to be patriotic towards their respective country without being venomous towards each other.

In spite of being too convenient at places the screen play is taut and manages to keep audience on the edge. Most of the characters are etched out beautifully. Alia gets to play a complex character of a semi trained spy who is also a vulnerable wife and dutiful daughter in law. A character who gets nauseatic at the sight of blood, is scared of injection needle and yet crushes a man twice when situation demands. Torn between her duty towards her country and duty towards her family Sehmat’s character needed restrained yet nuanced performance. And Alia does a sincere job, well almost. At times she becomes over dramatic and that’s a dampener. While she has put up an honest effort, Alia has reached a stage where she will be measured against the gold standards of performance , her own Veera Tripathy in highway or Pinky in Udta Punjab .The film also boasts of an ensemble cast of Rajit Kapur , Vicky Kausal and Jaideep Ahlawat among others. Kaushal, a terrific actor gets to play the role of an upright man and officer who loses out to his wife’s first love, her country. And he can’t do much about it, as even for him the first love is, his country.

Shankar – Eshaan – Loy’s music complements in building the tension and spreading a sense of patriotism. The lyrics are powerful. In fact “ Ae Watan” could be one of the best patriotic songs composed in recent times . In spite of a disappointing climax, Raazi is a well made film that will keep you invested for most part of the 140 minutes. It will also compel you to delve deep into the psyche of a SPY who sacrificed everything in the line of her duty and yet wanted to give up everything before she becomes cold, bereft of emotion like many others from her tribe. May be her soul wanted to fly free, unknow, unsung, away from the whims and fancies of others.

Go watch an ordinary life, turn extra ordinary! The nation comes first, always and every time. “ Aae watan watan mere awad rahe tu , main jahan rahun , jahaan main yaad rahe tu” !