Harinder Sikka has sharply criticized Meghna Gulzar’s adaptation of his acclaimed novel Calling Sehmat into the 2018 film Raazi, calling the decision to work with her his “gravest misjudgment.” Sikka’s remarks come as he continues to express dissatisfaction with the film’s portrayal of his protagonist, which he claims was diminished by ideological bias.
In a recent statement, Sikka described Calling Sehmat as one of the top books on espionage ever written globally, emphasizing the significance of his work. He lamented that the film adaptation, which starred Alia Bhatt and was both a critical and commercial success, failed to capture the true essence of the story.
Sikka stated, “The way Meghna Gulzar twisted the story through a leftist lens still pains me deeply,” reflecting his disappointment with the adaptation’s direction. He also mentioned that he had been warned by others not to trust Gulzar, a sentiment he now regrets not heeding.
Since 2020, Sikka has voiced his concerns regarding the film adaptation, which he feels did not do justice to the original narrative. He expressed regret over their collaboration, stating, “Errors don’t always come from stupidity. They often come from underestimating how shrewd or deceitful someone can be.” This highlights his belief that the adaptation was not merely a creative difference but a fundamental misrepresentation of his work.
Furthermore, Sikka criticized Gulzar’s portrayal of Sam Manekshaw in the film Sam Bahadur, indicating that his dissatisfaction extends beyond just Raazi. His literary works continue to resonate with readers globally, and he is currently in the process of adapting more of his books for the screen.
The film Raazi tells the story of an Indian spy married into a Pakistani military family during the 1971 war, a narrative that Sikka believes was not accurately represented in the film. As discussions around the adaptation continue, observers are left to wonder how these criticisms will impact future collaborations in the film industry.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding any potential changes or responses from Meghna Gulzar in light of Sikka’s allegations. As the discourse around artistic interpretation and fidelity to source material intensifies, the implications of this criticism could resonate within the broader cinematic landscape.
