Sarzameen, directed by Kayoze Irani, ambitiously attempts to explore themes like father-son dynamics, patriotism, trauma, and radicalisation — all set within the framework of a military family dealing with personal turmoil. However, despite its noble intentions and moments of intensity, the film fails to maintain emotional or narrative consistency.
The plot revolves around Major Vijay Menon (Prithviraj Sukumaran), a strict officer stationed in Kashmir. Raised under a stern father, he unknowingly mirrors that rigidity with his son Harman (Ibrahim Ali Khan), who grapples with a speech impediment and low self-worth. Meher (Kajol), the compassionate mother, understands her son better than the ideals her husband upholds.
A botched terrorist swap operation changes everything. Feeling alienated and furious, Harman strays into extremism—the very ideology his father combats. The film shifts focus to whether broken bonds and lost innocence can be mended through love and redemption.
Though Sarzameen explores powerful themes like generational trauma and the consequences of emotional neglect, it lacks storytelling discipline. Characters evolve without context, emotional transitions feel abrupt, and logic often takes a backseat to melodrama. Still, the pace is brisk, keeping viewers somewhat engaged.
Kajol stands out with a grounded and heartfelt performance, while Prithviraj is let down by poor dubbing. Ibrahim Ali Khan shows promise but remains uneven, excelling more in subdued action scenes than emotional depth.
Visually, the film shines with its scenic cinematography and gritty action, but overall, Sarzameen tries to say too much—and ends up delivering too little