Sarzameen
| Sarzameen | |
|---|---|
 Official release poster | |
| Directed by | Kayoze Irani |
| Written by | Soumik Shukla Arun Singh |
| Dialogues by | Kausar Munir Jehan Handa |
| Produced by |
|
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Kamaljeet Negi |
| Edited by | Nitin Baid |
| Music by | Songs: Vishal Mishra Vishal Khurana K Score: Tanuj Tiku |
Production companies | |
| Distributed by | JioHotstar |
Release date |
|
Running time | 137 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Hindi |
Sarzameen (Hindi: सरजमीन, transl. Nation/Country) is a 2025 Indian Hindi-language action thriller film written and directed by Kayoze Irani (in his directorial debut).[1][2] Produced by Karan Johar, Hiroo Yash Johar, and Apoorva Mehta under Dharma Productions, in collaboration with Star Studios,[1] the film stars Prithviraj Sukumaran,[3] Kajol,[4] and Ibrahim Ali Khan.[5][6][7][8] Set in Kashmir, the film follows an Indian Army officer who discovers that his estranged son has joined a militant group.[9][10]
Sarzameen was released on 25 July 2025 on the streaming platform JioHotstar.[1][6][2]
Plot
[edit]![[icon]](/wiki/File:Wiki_letter_w_cropped.svg){kind=small} | This section needs expansion with: July 2025. You can help by adding to it. (July 2025) |
Sarzameen follows Colonel Vijay Menon, an Indian Army officer posted in Jammu and Kashmir. Due to his patriotism, his son is kidnapped. Vijay tries to save his son but events suggest that he has been killed. During an operation, he learns that his missing son Harman may be involved with a terrorist outfit. His wife Meher is drawn into the emotional turmoil as the family confronts a situation where personal relationships come into conflict with national responsibilities. At the end we see Meher try to save her son and as a result is killed. Father and son are badly injured and seem like they will also die. After the credits we learn Meher’s back story as Vijay and Harman are at Meher’s funeral.
Cast
[edit]- Prithviraj Sukumaran as Colonel Vijay Menon, later Brigadier
- Kajol as Meher Vijay Menon, Vijay's wife aka Mohsin
- Ibrahim Ali Khan as Harman Menon, Vijay and Meher's son
- Boman Irani as Lt.General I.S Kanwar
- Jitendra Joshi as Colonel Ahmed Iqbal
- Mihir Ahuja as Shoaib Matto
- K.C. Shankar as Qaabil Bhat/Tunda Chacha
- Rohed Khan as Aabil Bhatt
- Anurag Arora as Colonel Shri Ram Menon
Production
[edit]Development
[edit]Sarzameen was announced in 2023 as a co-production between Dharma Productions and Star Studios.[11] It is directed by Kayoze Irani, son of actor Boman Irani, and marks his debut as a feature filmmaker. The project was initially developed with a focus on familial and ideological conflict set within the socio-political context of Kashmir.[12]
Casting
[edit]The film features Ibrahim Ali Khan in one of his early acting roles, alongside Prithviraj Sukumaran and Kajol.[13][14]
Soundtrack
[edit]| Sarzameen | |
|---|---|
| Soundtrack album by Vishal Mishra and Vishal Khurana K | |
| Released | 16 July 2025 |
| Genre | Feature film soundtrack |
| Length | 32:20 |
| Language | Hindi |
| Label | Saregama |
| Official audio | |
| Sarzameen Full Album on YouTube | |
The film's soundtrack is composed by Vishal Mishra and Vishal Khurana K, with the lyrics written by Jaani and Kausar Munir.[15]
| No. | Title | Singer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Mere Murshid Mere Yaara" (Music by Vishal Mishra, lyrics by Jaani) | Vishal Mishra, Salman Ali | 3:57 |
| 2. | "Ve Mahiya" | B Praak | 4:21 |
| 3. | "Aaj Ruk Jaa" (Female Version) | Shreya Ghoshal | 3:37 |
| 4. | "Aa Gale Lag Jaa" | Sonu Nigam | 4:13 |
| 5. | "Watna Ve" | Javed Ali | 4:40 |
| 6. | "Aaj Ruk Jaa" | Mohit Chauhan | 3:38 |
| 7. | "Aa Gale Lag Jaa" (Female Version) | Shreya Ghoshal | 3:23 |
| 8. | "Aa Gale Lag Jaa" (Duet Version) | Sonu Nigam, Shreya Ghoshal | 4:31 |
| Total length: | 32:20 | ||
Release
[edit]Sarzameen premiered on JioHotstar on 25 July 2025.[1]
Reception
[edit]Shubhra Gupta of The Indian Express gave 1.5 stars out of 5 and said that "Prithviraj is capable of ratcheting emotion, as is Kajol. And Ibrahim, playing a boy cruelly bullied for an impairment who grows into a young man on the opposite side of the loyalty divide."[16] Vineeta Kumar of India Today also gave 1.5 stars out of 5 and said that "In this Ibrahim Ali Khan, Kajol and Prithviraj Sukumaran-starrer, neither the patriotism lands nor the emotional family drama connects. What you get instead is a hollow story trying hard to feel important."[17] Rahul Desai of The Hollywood Reporter India commented that "Given that Sarzameen is a Dharma Productions film, you can detect a collision of eras and sensibilities: vintage “It’s all about loving your family” v/s new-age “It’s all about loving your nation”.[18]
Anuj Kumar of The Hindu observed that "Kayoze Irani has put the ingredients for a poignant roller coaster on the burner, but ‘Sarzameen’, starring Prithviraj Sukumaran, Kajol and Ibrahim Ali Khan, turns out to be utterly undercooked."[19] Syed Firdaus Ashraf of Rediff.com rated it 1.5/5 stars and said that "Poor writing, unrealistic plot points, and weak performances drag Sarzameen down."[20] Shreyanka Mazumdar of News18 rated it 2/5 stars and said that "Sarzameen does move briskly and throws up big emotional moments but tries hard to make a statement, ending up saying nothing clearly."[21]
Radhika Sharma of NDTV gave it 2 stars out of 5 and felt that "Sarzameen is a film with good intentions that works in parts. Another plus is that it's a story steeped in patriotism without the normalised chest-thumping or direct Pakistan bashing. [22] Film Critic Sucharita Tyagi writes in her review that "So, on a scale of 1 to 10 Sarzameen is, 1 more film where you wonder if Mihir Ahuja had played the main role instead of the support cast, how much of a difference that would have made.[23] Vinamra Mathur of Firstpost gave Sarzameen a 2 out of 5 rating, noting that the most puzzling part of the film is its climax—a twist that isn’t explored to its full potential. According to him, the filmmakers are more focused on loudly delivering a message about humanity and hate, while the two talented lead actors deliver some of their flattest performances in recent memory."[24]
Troy Ribeiro of Free Press Journal described Sarzameen which means "homeland"—as more of a compilation of patriotic stereotypes and emotional clichés than a genuine film. He remarked that while the film tries hard to evoke emotion, it does so by dictating exactly what the audience should feel and when. Though sincere in its tone, the film follows a predictable formula and suffers from outdated storytelling and heavy-handed execution.[25] Nandini Ramnath of Scroll.in said "Sarzameen delivers one of the most absurd and ridiculous plot twists in recent memory. The laughable revelation completely undermines Vijay’s hard-earned image as a decorated officer. It leaves you wondering—where was the Army’s intelligence, or even just common sense?"[26]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d "Sarzameen: 5 reasons why you should not miss Prithviraj Sukumaran-Kajol's film on JioHotstar". OTTPlay. Retrieved 23 July 2025.
- ^ a b "From Kanaappa and Sarzameen to Mandala Murders and Samshayam: Watch latest OTT releases on Netflix, JioHotstar, Prime Video". The Economic Times. 24 July 2025. ISSN 0013-0389. Retrieved 26 July 2025.
- ^ "ഞാൻ തികഞ്ഞ രാജ്യസ്നേഹി, അതിന് ഒരുപാട് അർഥങ്ങൾ ഒന്നുമില്ല- പൃഥ്വിരാജ്". Mathrubhumi. 22 July 2025. Retrieved 23 July 2025.
- ^ "Exclusive: Kajol Talks About Her Intense Role in Sarzameen | Filmfare.com". www.filmfare.com. Retrieved 23 July 2025.
- ^ Nadkarni, Aashna (23 July 2025). "Prithviraj Sukumaran Defends Sarzameen Co-Star Ibrahim Ali Khan Getting Trolled: 'If SRK Sir Can Be Criticised…'". Mashable India. Retrieved 23 July 2025.
- ^ a b Bharat, E. T. V. (25 July 2025). "OTT Releases This Weekend: Maargan, Sarzameen, Mandala Murders & More Titles To Stream Online". ETV Bharat News. Retrieved 26 July 2025.
- ^ "Sarzameen review: Cast, story, rating and verdict". www.indiatvnews.com. Retrieved 26 July 2025.
- ^ "Sarzameen Review: Ibrahim Ali Khan Comes Of Age In This Middling Patriotic Action Thriller". NDTV. Retrieved 26 July 2025.
- ^ "Sarzameen: Who plays what in Kayoze Irani's political thriller". OTTPlay. Retrieved 23 July 2025.
- ^ Mukhopadhyay, Sounak (25 July 2025). "OTT releases this week: New movies, web series to watch; Mandala Murders, Kannappa, Sarzameen, Maargan and more". Mint. Retrieved 26 July 2025.
- ^ "Sarzameen teaser: It's soldier Prithviraj vs terrorist Ibrahim Ali Khan in Dharma thriller with Kajol. Watch". The Indian Express. 30 June 2025. Retrieved 23 July 2025.
- ^ "After Nadaaniyan's Debacle, Ibrahim Ali Khan's Sarzameen To Release In May 2025 - Report". Times Now. 10 April 2025. Retrieved 23 July 2025.
- ^ "Prithviraj Sukumaran reacts to Ibrahim Ali Khan facing flak: 'If Shah Rukh Khan, Mammootty, Mohanlal can be criticised…'". Hindustan Times.
- ^ "Prithviraj calls Ibrahim Ali Khan 'well-prepared debutant', addresses criticism around Nadaaniyan: 'If Shah Rukh sir can still be criticised…'". The Indian Express. 22 July 2025. Retrieved 23 July 2025.
- ^ "Sarzameen (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)". Jiosaavn. Retrieved 24 July 2025.
- ^ Gupta, Shubhra (25 July 2025). "Sarzameen review: Ibrahim Ali Khan spared solo lifting in dull and forgettable Karan Johar production". The Indian Express. Retrieved 25 July 2025.
- ^ Kumar, Vineeta (25 July 2025). "Sarzameen review: A film that forgets Sar, loses Zameen, still thinks it's patriotic". India Today. Retrieved 25 July 2025.
- ^ Desai, Rahul (25 July 2025). "'Sarzameen' Movie Review: When Family Melodrama Bickers With Patriotic Drama". The Hollywood Reporter India. Retrieved 25 July 2025.
- ^ Kumar, Anuj (25 July 2025). "'Sarzameen' movie review: Prithviraj Sukumaran and Kajol can't salvage this emotional misfire". The Hindu. Retrieved 25 July 2025.
- ^ Ashraf, Syed Firdaus (25 July 2025). "Sarzameen Review: New Age Shakti". Rediff.com. Retrieved 25 July 2025.
- ^ Mazumdar, Shreyanka (25 July 2025). "Sarzameen Review: Kajol Shines In Prithviraj Sukumaran, Ibrahim Ali Khan's Chaotic Take On Patriotism". News18. Retrieved 25 July 2025.
- ^ Sharma, Radhika (25 July 2025). "Sarzameen Review: Ibrahim Ali Khan Comes Of Age In This Middling Patriotic Action Thriller". NDTV. Retrieved 25 July 2025.
- ^ Tyagi, Sucharita (25 July 2025). "Sarzameen Movie Review — Sucharita Tyagi". medium.com. Retrieved 25 July 2025.
- ^ Mathur, Vinamra (25 July 2025). "Kajol, Prithviraj Sukumaran, Ibrahim Ali Khan's 'Sarzameen' movie review: The most forgettable take on terrorism in recent times". Firstpost. Retrieved 25 July 2025.
- ^ Ribeiro, Troy (25 July 2025). "Sarzameen Review: Prithviraj Sukumaran, Kajol, Ibrahim Ali Khan, Boman Irani's Film Has Earnest Acting, But Archaic Writing". Free Press Journal. Retrieved 25 July 2025.
- ^ Ramnath, Nandini (25 July 2025). "'Sarzameen' review: A dodgy premise with a ridiculous twist". Scroll.in. Retrieved 25 July 2025.