I found out about Raazi when I was attending a wedding in June 2018. Its famous song “Dilbaro” played at the entry of the bride and I immediately fell in love with the song. The beautiful Kashmiri lines in the beginning and the intense emotions during the rest of the song resonated with me. I wanted to know what movie it was from. A couple of days later, I looked it up and that is when I saw the trailer.
The Movie
What I got from the trailer was that the movie was based on a true story. It was more like a whole narrative of true events, rather than just picking up a few facts. The movie was about the 1971 War that happened right before the separation of East Pakistan.
Only, instead of focusing on what happened during the war, the movie focuses on a spy who came to Pakistan. What hooked me in, even more, was the thing that I found out after researching more.
This wasn’t your average historical narrative.
This wasn’t a historian’s work, either. This wasn’t a biased opinion on Pakistan vs. India. This was just a chance encounter with the truth, that needed to be told to the world.
Harinder Sikka decided to tell this story, in his book “Calling Sehmat”, which was later adapted into “Raazi”.
Forgive me for the abstract talk, I’m just trying very hard not to give any spoilers!
The Release of the Movie and Pakistan’s Reaction
They set the release date in May 2018. That was precisely a month before I found out about it. At that time, I initially thought that it will just take a little time before it comes to Pakistan. I thought it’s worth the wait. I couldn’t wait for it to play at cinemas so I could see it on the big screen. But as I searched more about it, I found out that Pakistani distributors are not purchasing it. It came as no surprise, though. India and Pakistan have been banning each other’s so-called controversial art since forever, right? And let’s face it; Pakistan does more of the banning.
It infuriated me, to say the least. For once, I didn’t see the propaganda everyone else seemed to find in Raazi. Hence, I decided that no matter what, I will find a way to watch this movie. For quite a few months, I tried finding ways to somehow download it, but to no avail. I forgot about it then; until November 2020, when I remembered and this time, finally got the movie.
What I Thought of Raazi
Raazi is a beautifully tragic story of a young girl who willingly decides to put her nation before herself. She serves her nation by entering the most selfless profession there can be. She becomes a spy, while probably not knowing what actually happens to spies.
I keenly observed the whole movie without taking any sides. And I was surprised at the fuss that was created two years ago. What propaganda were they worried about? I honestly couldn’t see it. Not only is the movie free from historical biases but it also makes one sympathize with Pakistanis, instead of Indians. At least that’s how I felt. The movie awakens so many emotions in you. But not a single one of those emotions is hatred towards Pakistan. Or even India, for that matter.
General Comment
For the longest time, I remember hearing that Pakistan and India are enemies. The wars, the intolerance amongst the public of the two nations, the disputes, everything adds up and makes these two countries unfit to be civil with each other. Ironic, isn’t it? Because you personally wish it would just end. I wish it, so do my friends and yours as well. And what’s more; Sehmat wished the same. What, then, is the reason that there is this never-ending public feud? I guess we’ll never know.
2 thoughts on “Raazi – Movie Review”
Both this Review and the Movie are worth the time, very well written, and an interesting topic as well.
Thank you so much, Hassan :’)