Sarzameen (2025) Movie: Prithviraj and Kajol’s Family Drama Misses the Mark
Sarzameen marks Kayoze Irani’s first time directing a feature film. This 2025 Hindi thriller stars Prithviraj Sukumaran, Kajol, and Ibrahim Ali Khan in key roles. Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions backed this Kashmir-based story about military life and family struggles.
The movie tells the story of an army officer whose world turns upside down. His own son joins the militant groups he has been fighting against. This creates a personal war within his family that mirrors the larger conflict in Kashmir.
The Core Story
Colonel Vijay Menon has spent years serving his country in Kashmir. When he learns his son has crossed over to the other side, everything changes. The story becomes less about war and more about a broken family trying to understand each other.
Kashmir’s mountains and valleys form the backdrop for this personal drama. The script tries to show how political conflicts tear families apart from the inside. I noticed similarities to old Hindi films about father-son relationships, but with a modern military twist.
How the Actors Perform
Prithviraj brings depth to his role as the army colonel. His face shows the pain of a father who chose duty over family. Every scene with him feels real and heavy. I could see the weight of his choices in his expressions.
Kajol plays the mother stuck in the middle of this mess. She tries to bridge the gap between her husband and son. Her performance feels natural, though the script could have given her more to work with. Ibrahim Ali Khan improves from his last film but still has work to do.
Visual Style and Direction
The camera work makes good use of Kashmir’s natural beauty. Snow-covered peaks and quiet valleys contrast with the tension in the story. Kayoze Irani handles the direction with care, especially in emotional scenes between family members.
Dharma Productions ensures the film looks professional throughout. The costumes and sets feel authentic to military life in Kashmir. However, the film jumps between being a family drama and an action thriller, which creates confusion.
Music and Technical Elements
The background music supports the story without being too obvious. No songs stand out as particularly memorable. The sound mixing works well during action sequences and quiet family moments.
Production design creates believable military bases and Kashmir homes. The editing keeps things moving at a steady pace. I appreciated how the film uses natural lighting to create mood, especially in outdoor Kashmir scenes.
What Critics and Viewers Think
Reviews from major publications have been mixed to negative. The Indian Express gave it 1.5 stars, pointing out script problems. IMDb users rated it 4.0, showing some audience appreciation despite flaws.
Many viewers felt the story had good intentions but poor execution. Some called it politically confused and emotionally distant. I think the film wanted to say something important but got lost in trying to please everyone.
My Take on Sarzameen
This movie had the right ingredients for a powerful story. A father fighting his own son in a war-torn region could have been deeply moving. But Sarzameen never fully commits to being either a family drama or a political thriller.
Kayoze Irani shows promise as a director but needs stronger scripts. The performances work well enough to keep you watching. The Kashmir setting is beautiful but underused for storytelling. I wanted to care more about these characters than the film allowed me to.
Rating: 2.5/5
