Movie Review: Sarbjit

Director Omung Kumar’s ‘Sarbjit’ had all it takes to make a hard-hitting real movie. A true story which hit the headlines. An Indian farmer crosses the border in a drunk state and convicted of terrorism and spying. He spends twenty-three years in a Pakistan prison under terrible situations while his sister tries her best to get him freed. Needless to say, it isn’t just a story of a wronged Indian but also about the plight of a family.

How one wishes the director narrated the subject well. Just like in ‘Mary Kom’, Kumar rushes into the proceedings during the first few minutes and never really manages to keep the audience engaged in this sensitive and emotional story. It doesn’t mean ‘Sarbjit’ is a bad movie. It isn’t well-made.

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan as Dalbir Kaur is over-the-top and loud. All she gets to do is scream and weep though she does it quite well. She commits herself to the role; her fans should be happy to see her essaying it with so much sincerity. Randeep Hooda in the titular role does complete justice and only continues to prove what an excellent actor he is. Very little must have been known of what Sarabjit Singh actually went through while in prison but the actor’s rendering is pitch-perfect. So much effort has been put by him and it shows. Richa Chadda doesn’t get much scope to perform here.

‘Sarbjit’ may be far from perfect but even then, it’s a shame that the movie has got a poor opening at the Box Office.

Watch it to remind yourself of the prisoners (the innocent ones wronged) in Pakistan as well as Indian prisons, some probably hoping and some given up hope to meet their loved ones.

• About the Author

About Abhirup Dhar

I don't watch movies... I live them! Let me introduce myself. Abhirup Dhar was born in Kolkata and is still being brought up in India. A banker by profession, he is filmy to the core and is passionate about reviewing movies and writing. He likes to live on his own… he likes to be blunt, sarcastic, famous, infamous, confident, over-confident, moody at times… he likes to be himself. He is imperfect because perfection is boring. His love for movies dates back to his childhood days when he studied in a boarding school. A three-month Winter Vacation every year… and he made sure he watched as many movies then. Parents thought it was a phase... he knew it was Passion and he knew it back then itself. The craziness to watch movies on the Big Screen began during the last two years of school when he literally bunked to town so that he could catch up with the new Hindi Movie releases. Some thought he was plain crazy. He confirmed it was Passion... yet again. The hard fact is that not always can you walk a path you are passionate about. You have expectations to fulfill and Life to be made. But Life gives you chances and you have to grab them. So... here is he... your friendly critic who will be giving you his Verdict every week so that you can decide which release is worth your moolah and which is not! See you at the Movies! Stay connected at Facebook and Twitter!