Harinder Sikka has publicly criticized Meghna Gulzar’s adaptation of his novel into the film Raazi, calling it a grave misjudgment.
Harinder Sikka has recently expressed strong criticism of Meghna Gulzar’s adaptation of his novel Calling Sehmat into the film Raazi, labeling the decision to collaborate with her as his “gravest misjudgment.” Released in 2018 and starring Alia Bhatt, Raazi became both a critical and commercial success, yet Sikka’s dissatisfaction has persisted since 2020.
Sikka described Calling Sehmat as one of the top books on espionage ever written globally, emphasizing the importance of its narrative. He alleged that Gulzar’s ideological bias diminished the true spirit of the protagonist, leading to a portrayal that he believes strays from the original intent of his work.
“The way Meghna Gulzar twisted the story through a leftist lens still pains me deeply,” Sikka stated, highlighting his disappointment with the film’s direction. He also mentioned that he had been warned by others not to trust her, expressing regret over ignoring those cautions.
In addition to his critiques of Raazi, Sikka has also voiced his dissatisfaction with Gulzar’s portrayal of Sam Manekshaw in the film Sam Bahadur. His literary work continues to find readers globally, and he is currently adapting more of his books for the screen.
Despite Sikka’s criticisms, Raazi remains a significant film in Indian cinema, telling the story of an Indian spy married into a Pakistani military family during the 1971 war. The film’s success has not shielded it from controversy, as Sikka’s remarks have reignited discussions about the fidelity of adaptations in film.
As the debate continues, observers are keen to see how these criticisms will impact future adaptations of Sikka’s works. Details remain unconfirmed regarding any potential changes to upcoming projects or further responses from Gulzar.
