Sarzameen: A Dated Army Drama That Falls Flat

Months after the grand release of L2: Empuraan, Prithviraj Sukumaran returns solely as an actor in Sarzameen, a Hindi-language direct-to-streaming release on JioHotstar. This rare outing in Bollywood sees him sharing the screen with Kajol and Ibrahim Ali Khan, under the direction of debut filmmaker Kayoze Irani. Promising an emotionally charged army action drama, Sarzameen sets its sights on themes of patriotism, generational conflict, and personal redemption. But does it truly deliver on its promise?

The film opens with a tense shootout sequence in a jungle safehouse in Kashmir. However, that momentum quickly dissipates as we’re introduced to Colonel Vijay Menon (Prithviraj Sukumaran), a decorated army officer who struggles to reconcile his duty to the nation with his disappointment in his son Harman (Ibrahim Ali Khan), who battles with insecurity and an inferiority complex. Vijay’s harsh parenting and emotional distance stem from his desire for his son to follow in his footsteps as a soldier. Still, their strained relationship forms the emotional core of the film.

While Sarzameen has the ingredients for a compelling family drama set against a military backdrop, the writing lets it down at almost every turn. Writers Soumik Shukla and Arun Singh lean heavily on tried-and-tested tropes, giving the film a dated feel. The screenplay is filled with predictable developments, contrived plot twists, and moments that stretch logic far beyond believability. Key character motivations are either underwritten or forced, and the emotional beats so vital for a drama of this nature never quite land. Despite the film’s ambitions, it fails to give the audience anything new, resonant, or thought-provoking. director Kayoze Irani fails to bring cohesion or emotional weight to the narrative. While he attempts to blend patriotism with family sentiment, the lack of a clear vision makes Sarzameen feel scattered and emotionally flat, and the film never fully recovers from its erratic storytelling.

Prithviraj Sukumaran, as always, delivers a committed and convincing performance. His portrayal of a father torn between national duty and personal disappointment is perhaps the only emotionally effective thread in the movie. Kajol supports him ably, and the chemistry between the two seasoned actors brings brief moments of warmth and authenticity. Ibrahim Ali Khan has a fair outing. He displays a decent screen presence and tries earnestly to handle the emotionally heavy role of a son trying to live up to his father’s expectations. However, the role itself is not ideal for a newcomer, given its complexity and emotional intensity. With better writing and direction, his performance might have made a stronger impact.

Visually, the film benefits from Kamaljeet Negi’s cinematography. The snow-covered valleys of Kashmir are beautifully captured, and the camera work does a good job of setting the atmosphere. The icy terrain becomes a quiet backdrop to the brewing emotional storm between father and son. This is one of the few technical strengths in an otherwise underwhelming film. Unfortunately, the background score by Tanuj Tiku fails to lift the film. For a story rooted in emotion and intensity, the score often feels generic and underwhelming. The songs by Vishal Mishra and Vishal Khurana K are equally forgettable; they neither contribute to the narrative nor leave a lasting impression.

Sarzameen is a film that falters where it matters most, its writing. Despite strong efforts from Prithviraj Sukumaran and Kajol, the film lacks the depth, originality, and emotional grip to make a lasting impact.

Rating: 2/5