Raazi: When War Is the Only Enemy
I’ve always maintained that when Bollywood veers away from its eternal boy-meets-girl obsession — which, let’s be honest, is about 99% of the time — the results are usually rewarding.
Raazi is no exception.
Alia Bhatt, Actor — Not Star
Alia Bhatt is a seriously good actor.
After Highway and Udta Punjab, Raazi gives her yet another opportunity to showcase her range — restraint over histrionics, internalised fear over loud drama.
This is not a performance that screams for attention. It quietly earns it.
That said, the true star of the film is not Alia Bhatt.
The Real Hero: Script and Screenplay
The real triumph of Raazi lies in its writing.
The script and screenplay are tight, taut, and remarkably disciplined. There is tension without manipulation, emotion without sentimentality, and patriotism without chest-thumping.
Most importantly, the film avoids the easy trap of anti-Pakistan jingoism.
That’s no small achievement in contemporary Bollywood.
The film carefully walks a fine line — catering to a largely Indian audience while refusing to reduce the “enemy” into caricatures. The people across the border are portrayed as people, not ideological punching bags.
Jaideep Ahlawat: A Quiet Force
I was particularly impressed by Jaideep Ahlawat as the Indian handler.
Emotionless on the surface, firm in intent, yet with an understated softness beneath — this is controlled, intelligent acting.
The large glasses help create the required look, but it’s the stillness that stays with you.
I had seen him earlier in Gangs of Wasseypur as Shahid Khan, but this performance should be the real turning point in his career.
This fellow can act.
The Film’s Quiet Truth
The most powerful thing Raazi does is whisper, not shout, its message.
In war, the only real enemy is war itself.
People remain people — good and bad, kind and cruel — on both sides of the border. Nations draw lines; individuals pay the price.
No matter which side you’re on, war is the villain.
Final Thoughts
I liked this movie so much that I went to the theatre to watch it twice.
I genuinely hope it wins a truckload of awards.
And Alia — you’ve raised the bar yet again. What else are you capable of?
For me, you are currently the actor-supreme, on par with Priyanka Chopra — who I’m desperately hoping to see back on Indian screens soon.
Comments