Harinder Sikka has sharply criticized filmmaker Meghna Gulzar for her adaptation of his acclaimed novel Calling Sehmat into the 2018 film Raazi, calling it his “gravest misjudgment.” Sikka’s remarks come as he reflects on the film’s portrayal of espionage during the 1971 Indo-Pakistani War, which he believes was undermined by ideological bias.
In a recent statement, Sikka expressed his disappointment, stating, “The way Meghna Gulzar twisted the story through a leftist lens still pains me deeply.” He further elaborated that he had been warned by others not to trust Gulzar, a sentiment he now regrets not heeding.
Raazi, which starred Alia Bhatt as an Indian spy married into a Pakistani military family, was both a critical and commercial success, yet Sikka has voiced dissatisfaction with the adaptation since 2020. He described his literary work as among the top books on espionage ever written globally, emphasizing the importance of fidelity to the source material.
Despite Sikka’s criticisms, Raazi garnered significant acclaim and a wide audience, leading to further adaptations of his works for the screen. However, Sikka’s concerns highlight a broader issue within film adaptations, where the essence of the original narrative can be lost in translation.
Additionally, Sikka has criticized Gulzar’s portrayal of Sam Manekshaw in her latest project, Sam Bahadur, indicating ongoing tensions between the author and the filmmaker. He stated, “Errors don’t always come from stupidity. They often come from underestimating how shrewd or deceitful someone can be,” reflecting his frustration with the adaptation process.
As Sikka’s literary works continue to find readers globally, the debate over the fidelity of adaptations remains a hot topic among authors and filmmakers alike. Observers are keen to see how this discourse evolves, particularly with more of Sikka’s books currently being adapted for the screen.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding any potential resolutions between Sikka and Gulzar, but the ongoing dialogue emphasizes the complexities of adapting beloved literary works into film.
