Raazi

"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."

"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?"

"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!"

"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."

"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."

"Alia Bhatt-Vicky Kaushal starrer will blow your mind!"

"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."

"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."

"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."

"'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."

"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!"

"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!)."

"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'."

"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."

"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."

"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."

"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."

"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."

"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."

"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."

"A major problem with Raazi is that its plot suffers from an element of predictability throughout. Even towards the end there are no major unexpected twists or turns barring one which too more or less gives itself away. The film does have its moments but ultimately they prove to be few and far between. The fact that the movie's trailer almost gave away the entire plot didn't help in keeping the element of suspense intact. Hopefully makers would be more careful in future while packaging their trailers."

"Raazi boasts of some splendid performances by even those who have small roles."

"Raazi never deviates from its mission to reiterate the patriotic fervour of its leading lady who happens to be a Kashmiri. It's a fascinating situation but little screen time is given to explore the family backdrop. Because as Raazi reminds us, all is fair when it's a matter of motherland."

"Oddly enough, everything Raazi cannot explain or put a finger on, it glosses over in the name of patriotism or watan-love; glorifying thereby the very sentiment it had set out to mock. This is the unique tragedy of the film: it becomes less of a counterpoint to pseudo-patriotism and more of a companion piece."

"Alia Bhatt shines in a muddled and improbable spy thriller..."