The film “Raazi” directed by Meghna Gulzar is an adaptation of 2008 novel “Calling Sehmat”, authored by Harinder Sikka penned on fictionalized biographical narration based on what he gathered from actual Sehmat. A true account of an Indian Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) agent, who upon her father’s request, married into a family of military officers in Pakistan to relay information to India, prior to the Indo-Pakistan War in 1971.However, the movie was a big mismatch to the novel. Why didn’t the film Raazi show the whole truth?
CHARACTER POTRAYAL
The movie Sehmat is a weak girl who flinches with the pistol backfire, the book’ Sehmat is a cold-blooded determined soldier who is willing to kill, lie, kidnap, and blackmail for her nation which was at war. The Book’s Sehmat does things as her conscious directs her, while the movie’s Sehmat does it as obligations to her Indian handlers.
OMISSION OF KEY POINTS: FILM RAAZI
The movie omits significant parts of Sehmat’s story, particularly the last few chapters of the book. These chapters describe Sehmat’s post-mission life, including her recovery and her eventual regaining of sanity with the help of a hermit. This omission affects the narrative arc and the understanding of Sehmat’s complete journey and emotional resilience.
PATRIOTISM AND EMOTIONAL DEPTH: FILM RAAZI
The real Sehmat Khan, as per the book, returned to India feeling normal despite her guilt over causing a few deaths. She was driven by a strong sense of patriotism, encapsulated in her belief: “Agar aap apne maa ke nahi, to koi ke nahi. Agar aap apne desh ke nahi, to koi ke nahi.” This strong patriotic sentiment, which could have inspired viewers, was not emphasized in the film. Instead, the film focused more on her personal and emotional struggles.
Bollywood often prioritizes certain themes such as romance and personal conflict to appeal to a broader audience. In “Raazi,” the filmmakers chose to highlight Sehmat’s emotional and personal struggles, possibly to create a more relatable and dramatic narrative. This choice led to the inclusion of a love angle, which some critics feel diluted the story’s patriotic essence.
MISSED PATRIOTIC SCENES
The novel’s author, Harinder Sikka, mentioned that if it were up to him, he would have included a powerful patriotic scene where Sehmat kneels before the Indian tricolor with the national anthem playing in the background. This scene, meant to evoke strong patriotic emotions, was not included in the film, possibly in favour of scenes that fit better with the film’s narrative style.
SUMMARY
While Raazi brings sehmat’s story to the big screen, it does so with modifications that some feel detract from the true essence of her character and the full scope of her patriotic sacrifice. The difference between the book and the film showcase the values each platform has for such important and sacrificial stories of our people. The movie, therefore, might not fully capture the essential emotions and the depth of the legend Sehmat as depicted in the novel.
