Review of Sarbjit

Bollywood cinemas has definitely undergone a drastic change and it has gone for good. 2016 itself saw biopics like "Neerja", "Azhar" and now "Sarabjit". Coming few months will again witness like "Dhoni" and "Sachin". The good part of watching "Sarabjit" is to understand the events which changed his life while the sad part is the political pressure between India and Pakistan which has led many Indian prisoners suffers in Pakistan and Pakistani prisoners rot in Indian jail. "Sarabjit" tells the story from Dalbir Kaur's(played by Aishwarya Rai) perspective who goes above and beyond her capabilities to rescue her brother,Sarabjit (played by Randeep Hooda), from Pakistani prison wrongly accused as RAW agent detained for bombing in Lahore in 1990. There is certainly an improvement in the screenplay of "Sarabjit"( written by Utkarshini Vashistha and Rajesh Beri) when compared to Omung Kumar's last disappointing film "Mary Kom". Omung cleverly swipes the past and present scenes woven together to tell the story before taking it forward. The film opens with rescue mission for Sarabjit in the field of Bhikhiwind,Punjab. The search goes on until Dalbir receives a letter from Pakistan written by Sarabjit about his current status. From here onwards, the main drama unfold and will keep you engaged throughout the first half of the film. The second half loses the track with frequent interruptions in form of songs and unwanted scenes like caller from Canada trying to help Dalbir was never explained, the main accused Ranjit Singh's trial was never shown properly and the climax scene where the minister comes over to Dalbir's house to convey the message of Sarabjit's demise which could have been well-executed. Nevertheless, the film boast off some brilliant scenes I have not witnessed on Indian screen recently. The depressing condition of Sarabjit in the Pakistani prison will haunt you after the film gets over, the family meet at the prison between Sarabjit and his family is mind-blowing and will move you to tears. The scene outside the hospital where Dalbir screams at the Pakistanis that Indian do not do back-stabbing like them is electrifying. The art direction is nice along with good cinematography. Dialogues are punching. Music is tuneful which generally runs in the background. Editing could have been crispier and smart. Direction wise, Omung Kumar has certainly improved over his previous film "Mary Kom". He keeps you on your toes till the last scene which is appreciating. The main attraction of the film is performances. "Sarabjit" belongs to two actors - Randeep Hooda and Aishwarya Rai. Randeep Hooda goes deep diving into the character of Sarabjit. he completely transforms himself from a wrestler into a skeleton-prison look and gives the best performance of his life. Watch for him when he reunites with his family at the prison. Aishwarya Rai surprises you with a powerful performance as Dalbir Kaur. She proves that she is more than a eye-candy and does a good comeback after debacle of "Jazbaa". A talent like Richa Chaddha is wasted as Sarabjit's wife.

Overall. "Sarabjit" is hard-hitting and splendid film with solid and riveting performances by Randeep Hooda and Aishwarya Rai. Good 3/5

• Ketan Gupta