In a striking turn of events, author Harinder Sikka has openly criticized filmmaker Meghna Gulzar for her adaptation of his acclaimed novel, Calling Sehmat, into the 2018 film Raazi. Sikka described his decision to collaborate with Gulzar as his “gravest misjudgment,” a sentiment that underscores the tension between the two creatives.

Since the film’s release, Sikka has voiced his dissatisfaction, claiming that Gulzar’s portrayal diminished the true spirit of the protagonist. He stated, “The way Meghna Gulzar twisted the story through a leftist lens still pains me deeply.” This criticism highlights a broader concern regarding ideological bias in adaptations of literary works.

Raazi, which starred Alia Bhatt, tells the gripping story of an Indian spy married into a Pakistani military family during the tumultuous 1971 war. Despite its commercial and critical success, Sikka’s discontent has cast a shadow over the film’s legacy.

Sikka has expressed regret over his collaboration with Gulzar, revealing that he had been warned by others not to trust her vision. “Trust, but verify,” he remarked, reflecting on the lessons learned from this experience. His literary work, meanwhile, continues to resonate with readers globally, and he is currently adapting more of his books for the screen.

In addition to his criticisms of Raazi, Sikka has also taken issue with Gulzar’s portrayal of Sam Manekshaw in the film Sam Bahadur, further indicating a rift between the two. He described Calling Sehmat as among the top books on espionage ever written globally, emphasizing the high expectations he had for its adaptation.

As the conversation surrounding these adaptations continues, observers are keenly watching how Sikka’s future projects unfold and whether they will maintain the integrity he seeks. Details remain unconfirmed regarding any potential reconciliations or further collaborations between Sikka and Gulzar.

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