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Raazi backdrop

Raazi

10 May 2018Hindi2h 18m
out of 10
Recommendedmost critics liked it
Monk Score · 24 scored reviews · 3 not rated

Bhatt carries this grounded spy drama past its uneven second half.

Verdict tier Recommended, most critics liked it, on a scale of Unfavorable, Mixed, Recommended, Exceptional.

  • Praised: Alia Bhatt's central performance
  • Criticised: Uneven second half pacing

Audience

User score 7.0 out of 10 from 11 ratings, Recommended
Read 5 audience reviews ↓

Critic consensus

What 25 critics are saying

Raazi is met with a strongly positive critical reception, with the majority of reviewers praising Meghna Gulzar's restrained, tension-driven direction and Alia Bhatt's central performance as the film's standout qualities. Critics consistently highlighted the film's departure from bombastic spy-genre conventions in favour of a more emotionally grounded, psychologically nuanced approach to espionage and war. Dissenting voices pointed to a weakening second half, a degree of plot predictability, and a tension between the film's apparent critique of blind patriotism and its ultimate embrace of nationalist sentiment. A small number of critics also noted occasional issues with accent consistency among the cast.

How the 24 scores spread

3 not-rated reviews aren't plotted

Positive / mixed / negative reviews

Positive = 6.5/10 and up · negative = below 5/10

AI-generated summary of 25 critic reviews · may contain errors

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From the papers

Critic reviews (27)

Top critics first, then by score · not-rated last · updated

  1. Top critic

    Indian Express

    Film review ·

    Meghna Gulzar paces the film well, fleshing out the characters who make up the Sayed family, into which Sehmat is married, and then gradually turning up the tension as the bride's cover wears thin.
  2. Top critic

    NDTV

    Film review ·

    Besides the intriguing bahu-spy premise, the film presents nothing new to inform the genre: spies have feelings, spies get sappy, spies cry. Even Bond films show us that these days. Gulzar does commendably depict how the other side is just like us - there is a rather clever use of the song Ae Watan, a patriotic track sung with equal fervour from both sides - but is the mere fact that this film does not thump its chest enough for applause?
  3. NowRunning

    Film review ·

    How do you make a patriotic film without any bombastic dialog and still manage to move the most cynical filmgoer to tears? Raazi is one of the finest films to come out of Bollywood. It is the story about a young Kashmiri girl who marries into a Pakistani general's family and in her own way and at great danger to her life spies for India and practically saves the day during the war between Pakistan and India in 1971. It is a tale well told and brilliantly acted. Must watch!
  4. Deccan Chronicle

    Film review ·

    Raazi celebrates the spy-thriller genre and proves good content prevails. Perhaps, a lot of aspects make this film unapologetically finest of 2018 so far.
  5. Film Companion

    Film review ·

    Raazi is an excellent film because of how easily it could have not been one. On another day, this might have well been a jingoistic Neeraj Pandey actioner called Naam Sehmat. But Gulzar and her co-writer Bhavani Iyer don't lose cultural context of their material.
  6. Filmfare

    Film review ·

    It won't be wrong to say that it's one of the most fiercely patriotic films you'll ever see. That a female star holds centre stage makes for a welcome change. Alia Bhatt's histrionics alone are worth the price of the ticket.
  7. FilmiBeat

    Film review ·

    Meghna Gulzar calls one of her best shots with Raazi and gives you an espionage thriller which keeps you engrossed right from the first frame. Alia Bhatt elevates the film to dizzy heights and gives you every reason to shower her with applauds. But most importantly Raazi reminds on that, 'Under the clouds of war, it's humanity hanging on a cross of iron'.
  8. FridayMoviez

    Film review ·

    We would say Meghna has rocked this fine feature film with whole-hearted devotion and team effort that makes this one simply alluring. We wonder why the makers didn't go for an Independence Day or Republic day release date. Give this a Sureshot watch to get mesmerized by Alia's robust performance striking every right chord of patriotism. A not to be missed kind of film!
  9. Hindustan Times

    Film review ·

    The actors sometimes falter with their accent and dialect, but intrigue around Sehmat's adventures doesn't give them much time to complain. Raazi is a sensibly written and finely performed film that takes a close look at the ordinary lives of extraordinary people. Not to miss.
  10. KoiMoi

    Film review ·

    All said and done, Raazi is a magnificent and unmissable tribute to the unsung heroes of our country. It explores a brave story which was in shelves for long time now. Alia Bhatt has just smashed every barricade for being a superlative actress.
  11. Masala

    Film review ·

    Raazi, besides celebrating Sehmat's heroism that led to India's victory in the 1971 war, is an emotionally intelligent film. It makes you question a lot about warring countries and world peace and that's always a good feeling to walk out with.
  12. Mid-Day

    Film review ·

    This is a meditative version of a war film, subtly weighing in on human loss and ruthlessness, even as it seldom wavers from checking off all the crackling elements of an espionage thriller. Honestly, I felt a little numb in the head as Sehmat feels the same for her soul. Whether or not you're sehmat (agree) with Sehmat, I suggest you should totally be raazi (willing) to catch her scintillating, untold story for sure (Eh? Told ya: feeling numb in the head!).
  13. PinkVilla

    Film review ·

    Raazi also works for its novelty. There is charm in the unexplored and especially when it's this well-done it's a treat. Gun blazing action, though wholesome and entertaining is often exhausting. Why can't spy movies be more brain and less brawn? Meghna skilfully tries her hand at that, and though there are a few stray shortcomings, Raazi is unsettling which is the most delectable thing about it. Watch out for Meghna's truth is stranger than fiction stories. She has a knack for finding the most potent ones.
  14. Times Of India

    Film review ·

    'Raazi' defies the spy genre's traditional expectations of full-blown action sequences. Instead, Meghna Gulzar's steady hand gradually ramps up the tension throughout, leading to an explosive final act in this strong dramatic thriller. It also leaves you questioning the repercussions of war on the human psyche.
  15. Bollywood Hungama

    Film review ·

    RAAZI is an interesting thriller brilliantly narrated by Meghna Gulzar that makes for mature viewing. It is a film that celebrates nationalism that is devoid of the colors of religion. At the box office, it has the potential to grow with positive word of mouth and keep its makers happy.
  16. IBNLive

    Film review ·

    Intense, emotional and unnerving at the same time, the sensitivity and emotional quotient of the characters- especially Alia's Sehmat makes Raazi a gripping watch that keeps your mind and heart on the edge, till the end.
  17. India Today

    Film review ·

    Raazi is tightly paced and slick in its first half. It keeps you on the edge right till the time the lights in the theatre come back and the screen says 'Intermission'. On the other side of that break, however, lies a not-so-impressive story. Raazi falters in its second half. The pace is compromised in taking care of the loose threads. Emotions teeter on the brink of melodrama but are pulled back in time, thankfully.
  18. Mumbai Mirror

    Film review ·

    Unlike most films within the genre that focus chiefly on the 'operation', Raazi also delves into the debilitating position that secret agents who stumble in and out of the margins of history must sometimes assume. Given the political climate, this one's a relevant watch — especially since little has turned between the two nations over the years.
  19. Sify

    Film review ·

    Raazi offers a subtle dose of patriotism that makes you root for the film as it brings to life the story of the unsung heroine of the India-Pakistan war.

From our readers

Audience reviews (5)

11 ratings · user score 7.0

  1. Ajay lawyerMay 2018
    4/10

    good script of real story. expected few stunning scenes.

  2. Ansh LuthraMay 2018
    9/10

    I just saw this a few hours ago and Ms. Bhatt was amazing in the movie. The movie really covers the real truth of what it means to be spy not just entailing over the top drama like some spy movies. The director took the story and carefully crafted. I wish there were more part with Iqbal as I feel his connection could have been showing more interactions. Also, his reaction to finding out Alia as a spy was quite underwhelming than what I would believe anyone finding out that their wife is a spy who did what she did. Overall a great movie really encapsulating that in war anyone will be a casualty. I disagree with anyone who says this does not have any stunning scenes, this movie is covering a real story and real life is not all about action. It is a covert affair mission, and the acting was beautiful how the emotions and camera angle very crisp real displaying emotion.

  3. Ankit AnandMay 2018
    2/10

    The biggest problem with Alia Bhatt is that she is very powerless.

  4. Tejas NairJul 2018
    7/10

    A thoroughly enjoyable espionage flick that has the right amount of all the requisite ingredients, Raazi succeeds as that rare Bollywood thriller you never saw coming. Watch it while you hang your thinking capabilities for tomorrow's work. TN.

  5. 8/10

    Espionage, spies and political turmoil form the essential backdrops of Meghna Gulzar's 'Raazi'. But it takes passion for cinema and a keen observation on the writing to make the film a solid thriller. Raazi succeeds in that aspect, and once again after 'Talvar', Meghna proves yet again that she can make an intimate, personal drama which interweaves around the so-called sensational events. We hear of a lot of martyrs all our lives- the great men who sacrificed themselves for their countries. But seldom have we heard of many of those people who risked their lives for the triumph of their countries. Based on Harinder Sikka's popular novel 'Calling Sehmat', the film is based on the life of Sehmat Khan, a twenty-two year old Delhi University student and the daughter of Hidaayat Khan, an Indian spy. Hidaayat, after getting his sharp-minded daughter trained, gets her married to a Pakistani Major General cum friend's son. And the reason behind this is crystal clear: Sehmat is a spy working in Pakistan with other Indians there, delivering each and every information about the enemies' actions to the motherland. But the film also visually constructs around the emotions of this daughter-in-law, who is a spy. There is this sweet love story of Sehmat and her husband Iqbal, which in the more emotional bits in the end, makes you actually feel for them. The cinematography, although all dazzle, actually lifts off the screen. Jay I. Patel has dazzled the film to make it ring contemporary. The costumes, designed by Maxima Basu, are never old-fashioned. The acclaimed fashion designer stays far, far away from those 'Om Shanti Om' long suits and 'Action Replayy' long pants with crop tops. The fashion is simple and nuanced, and according to the regular style in 70s. And the most important triumph of 'Raazi' lies in its simplistic but layered screenplay. The film starts in the seething political turmoil but builds on the emotional strengths quite more effectively. But the film doesn't compromise on the spy-thriller genre too, which is at top of its game. Alia Bhatt is the most convincing performer in the film, topping the role of Sehmat Khan with grace and sincerity. Jaideep Ahlawat is marvelous as Khalid, the trainer of Sehmat. The film impresses with its ingenuity. When Sehmat, as the music teacher of a Pakistani army school, teaches a patriotic song to her pupils for the rehearsal of the upcoming Pakistani independence day, she is filled with nationalistic fervor, teaching the students with the of pride and smile as she would have had it been India. Instead of chest-thumping patriotism, the film, unlike the highly problematic 'Naam Shabana' takes no sides. The film doesn't demonize Pakistan, our enemy, and humanizes the daily life there: how they do their jobs as much as us. It is one of those rare features which take no sides. So its a 4/5 for Raazi. I recommend the film, because it is the most compelling as well as the best Hindi film till now this year.

Credits

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Cast

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