Anupama Chopra reviews Sarzameen, the thriller drama starring Prithviraj Sukumaran, Kajol, and Ibrahim Ali Khan in lead roles. Directed by Kayoze Irani in his feature directorial debut and produced by Hiroo Yash Johar, Karan Johar, Adar Poonawalla, Apoorva Mehta under Dharma Productions and Star Studios, this film follows an Army officer's mission to free Kashmir valley from terrorism. In this detailed review for The Hollywood Reporter India, Anupama examines how the narrative becomes cheerfully silly and illogical despite the actors' and director's efforts. She discusses how writers Soumil Shukla and Arun Singh's story and screenplay, along with dialogue by Kausar Munir and Jehan Handa, rehash ideas from other movies and add twists so absurd that viewers have to pause and question what just happened.
Anupama breaks down the film's pastiche of familiar narrative strands, noting similarities to films like Animal, Udaan, Ardaasya, Shakti, and Mission Kashmir in its exploration of dysfunctional father-son relationships and generational trauma. She reviews the performances, praising Prithviraj Sukumaran as a dependable actor who remains steadfast despite the implausible plot, while noting Kajol's limited role and Ibrahim Ali Khan's slight improvement from his debut in Nadaaniyan, though still struggling with complex emotions. The review touches on Kayoze Irani's background as Boman Irani's son and his previous work on the short film Ankahee in the Ajeeb Daastaans anthology, while critiquing the film's repetitive use of the word "sarzameen" and questioning certain directorial choices. Anupama concludes that while the film had potential, it fails to deliver the sparkle and delight found in other recent releases.
