Sarzameen (2025) Movie ft. Ibrahim, Kajol, and Prithviraj
Sarzameen, the latest from Dharma Productions, arrives as a patriotic drama starring Prithviraj Sukumaran, Kajol, and Ibrahim Ali Khan. Directed by Kayoze Irani, this film tackles themes of nationalism and family sacrifice through a Kashmir-based military story.
Released exclusively on JioCinema on July 25, 2025, the film runs for 140 minutes. Despite its star-studded cast and major production backing, Sarzameen struggles with storytelling consistency and emotional depth throughout its runtime.
Plot and Storyline
The story follows an Army officer determined to free Kashmir from terrorism at any cost. It explores a father who refused to bow down to threats, a son given up for the nation.
The narrative attempts to balance personal sacrifice with national duty. However, the non-linear approach feels uneven, with revelations appearing forced rather than natural to the story’s flow.
The Kashmir setting provides backdrop for both political tensions and family conflicts. Yet the script struggles to weave these elements into a cohesive whole.
Cast Performance
Prithviraj Sukumaran delivers the film’s strongest performance as Colonel Vijay Menon. He brings authentic military gravitas and successfully portrays a man torn between duty and fatherhood.
Kajol as Mehr shows her trademark emotional intensity. However, I found her character overly emotional compared to real army wives. The gap between reality and fiction makes her grief feel exaggerated.
Ibrahim Ali Khan shows promise in his major debut but fails to leave a lasting impact. His performance lacks the emotional depth required for such demanding material.
The supporting cast, including Boman Irani and Tota Roy Chowdhury, remains underutilized despite their proven capabilities.
Direction and Technical Aspects
Kayoze Irani’s direction shows ambition but reveals execution shortcomings. The film blends multiple genres but struggles to maintain a cohesive tone throughout.
The cinematography captures Kashmir’s beauty while highlighting regional tensions. However, visual storytelling feels disconnected from the narrative’s emotional core.
B Praak and Vishal Mishra’s musical score adds emotional weight but sometimes overwhelms dramatic moments. The songs feel intrusive in scenes demanding subtle handling.
What Works and What Doesn’t
The film’s strongest aspect lies in honoring military families and their sacrifices. Prithviraj’s performance anchors genuine moments effectively, providing real gravitas to proceedings.
However, the storytelling lacks finesse. Tonal inconsistencies undermine genuine emotions with melodramatic excess. The supernatural elements feel forced and disconnected from the realistic military drama.
I found the script’s inability to balance multiple threads resulted in a fragmented viewing experience. Despite good intentions, weak direction and underwhelming performances make it hard to recommend.
Critical Reception
The movie holds an IMDb rating of 7.50/10 based on early reviews. Netizens remain divided over the film’s patriotism treatment, performances, and plot twists.
Professional critics appreciate the family dynamic between leads but criticize overall execution. Most reviews point to the film’s good intentions while questioning its delivery.
The consensus suggests Sarzameen had potential but ended up confused and emotionally disconnected. Critics find the execution lacking in several key areas despite meaningful subject matter.
Final Verdict
Sarzameen represents a missed opportunity to create a meaningful tribute to military families. While individual performances show promise, overall execution fails to meet ambitious goals.
The movie works best focusing on intimate family dynamics but falters balancing multiple genres. For military drama fans, it offers moments of genuine emotion, particularly from Prithviraj.
However, inconsistent storytelling and melodramatic tendencies make it difficult to recommend as essential viewing. The film reminds us that star power alone cannot compensate for fundamental storytelling issues.
Rating: 2.5/5
