Harinder Sikka has recently voiced strong criticism of Meghna Gulzar’s adaptation of his acclaimed novel, Calling Sehmat, into the 2018 film Raazi. Sikka described his decision to collaborate with Gulzar as his “gravest misjudgment,” highlighting a growing dissatisfaction that has persisted since 2020.
In his remarks, Sikka emphasized that Raazi—which starred Alia Bhatt and was both a critical and commercial success—did not capture the true essence of his story. He stated, “The way Meghna Gulzar twisted the story through a leftist lens still pains me deeply,” indicating that he felt ideological bias diminished the spirit of the protagonist.
Sikka, who has described Calling Sehmat as among the top books on espionage ever written, expressed regret over ignoring warnings from others about trusting Gulzar. He noted, “Trust, but verify,” reflecting on the lessons learned from this collaboration.
Despite his criticisms, Sikka’s literary work continues to resonate with readers globally, and he is currently adapting more of his books for the screen. His ongoing dissatisfaction with Raazi raises questions about the challenges of adapting complex narratives for film.
Additionally, Sikka has also criticized Gulzar’s portrayal of Sam Manekshaw in the film Sam Bahadur, further underscoring his concerns regarding her direction. As the debate continues, observers are left pondering the implications of such adaptations in the film industry.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding any potential future collaborations between Sikka and Gulzar, but the discourse surrounding their past partnership highlights the intricate relationship between literature and film adaptation.
