Kayoze Irani’s directorial debut, ‘Sarzameen,’ presents a narrative that, contrary to initial reviews, offers a degree of watchability. The film, attempting to shock audiences with unexpected plot twists, sometimes falters by pushing too hard. Comparisons are drawn to the classic film ‘Shakti,’ with Kajol playing the mother of a radicalized Kashmiri youth, and Prithviraj as her army officer husband. The film explores the strained relationship between the parents and their speech-impaired son, Harman, played by Ibrahim Ali Khan. The film attempts to grapple with themes of radicalization and familial bonds, with a focus on the father-son dynamic. While the film has its flaws, it provides some intriguing moments and the performances from Prithviraj and Ibrahim Ali Khan are particularly notable. The film’s confined setting and lack of visual depth, however, keep it from reaching the heights of films like ‘Roja’ or ‘Mission: Kashmir’.
