'Sarzameen' Movie Review: A Misfire Of Patriotism And Emotion, Ibrahim Ali Khan's Acting Falls Flat

Sarzameen is directed under the vision of the novel director, Kayoze Irani, and marks his debut in the realm of feature films. It is a Hindi patriotic action-drama featuring names like Kajol, Prithviraj Sukumaran, and Ibrahim Ali Khan. It was released directly on JioHotstar on July 25, 2025. The movie is produced under Karan Johar's Dharma Productions, and explores themes of nationalism, radicalisation, and family loss. The critics and audience have given their verdict, and this is what they have to say about Sarzameen.

The plot of Sarzameen was a promising idea that derailed too quickly

Sarzameen comes with a gripping and promising premise. The son of an Indian Army officer is abducted and raised by extremists. Years later, he returns, but now he has turned into a radicalised militant. The film aims to explore how trauma and manipulation can transform an innocent child into a national threat. 

However, the execution fails the storyline, and it quickly spirals into forced twists. According to critics, what should have been a tense, emotionally rich narrative instead becomes a predictable drama that loses all its momentum long before it even reaches its climax.

Ibrahim Ali Khan in Sarzameen has an unconvincing transformation

Ibrahim Ali Khan plays the role of 'Harman', a rebellious army officer's son who is abducted, and some traumatic events lead him down the path of extremism, and he eventually becomes a militant. As per critics, the role demanded emotional complexity, which Ibrahim was not able to deliver; hence, his performance falls flat. His expressions lack depth, and his transformation from a grieving son to a militant is not convincing enough. 

Kajol in Sarzameen plays an emotional but unrealistic army mother

Kajol plays the role of 'Mehr', she is 'Harman's' mother, who finds herself caught between her loyalty to her husband and her undying love for her son. While some are appreciating her emotionally rich performance, many  have been arguing that her character is written with outdated melodramatic cliches. Critics feel 'Mehr' is shown as overly emotional, who lacks the strength that is usually seen in real army wives. This gap between reality and fiction makes her grief feel exaggerated and hard to relate to.

Prithviraj Sukumaran in Sarzameen has a strong presence but is brought down by weak material

Prithviraj Sukumaran plays Colonel 'Vijay Menon'; his portrayal displays the strength and discipline required of a military officer. While he has a strong screen presence, the weak script and poor character development let him down. His patriotism feels forced, and the film doesn't make viewers connect with his mission or emotions.

Direction and writing in Sarzameen fail miserably

Directed by Kayoze Irani and written with Ayush Soni, Sarzameen gives a weak and unrealistic view of the army and terrorism. Critics pointed out that the story has many gaps, like a terrorist freely raising an officer's son, and it uses forced twists instead of natural plot development for the story to develop. Important themes, like radicalisation and loyalty, are touched on lightly, leaving little to no impact.

Visuals in Sarzameen are its saving grace, but action brings it down

If there's one saving grace for Sarzameen, it's the cinematography. Critics and fans alike have appreciated the breathtaking Kashmiri landscapes that serve as the backdrop for the film. Unfortunately, the action sequences are dull and disappointing. Even the background score, which is loud and insistent, fails to create the tension that the story demanded.

Audience reaction to Sarzameen

Audience reactions to Sarzameen have been largely underwhelming. Many viewers took to social media expressing disappointment over the film, a user commented, "The story tries for twists, but gets lost in melodrama". Another one commented, "Sarzameen is yet another instance of a narrative which is so cheerfully silly and illogical that the actors or director can do little to save it." Netizens called it 'average' and 'forgettable.' However, they have appreciated the chemistry and intensity portrayed by Kajol and Prithviraj. 

Overall take on Sarzameen 

Sarzameen is a film that had all the ingredients to be a powerful drama. It had family conflict, patriotic duty, and moral dilemmas, but it ends up being a lifeless portrayal of all three. Performances are disconnected, writing is lazy, and direction lacks vision. It fails to stir patriotism or any sense of emotional investment from the audience. In a nutshell, Sarzameen is a brilliant idea with bad execution.

What are your thoughts about Sarzameen?

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