Ibrahim Ali Khan's Sarzameen Had 'Loopholes', Says Director Kayoze Irani: ‘But The Audience Was Forgiving'

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13 hours ago

Sarzameen director Kayoze Irani responds to criticism over Ibrahim Ali Khan's role and narrative flaws. He admits changes he would make and says audiences were forgiving.
Ibrahim Ali Khan's second film, Sarzameen, premiered last month on JioHotstar, marking another major step in the star kid's early career. But much like his debut Nadaaniyan, the film has triggered a flurry of mixed responses. While some have praised the film's emotional ambition, others have pointed to narrative shortcomings and uneven performances. Directed by Kayoze Irani, son of veteran actor Boman Irani, Sarzameen is set in the fraught landscape of Kashmir and explores the moral conflict between a father and his radicalised son.
In a recent interview with Hindustan Times, Kayoze addressed the polarized feedback with refreshing honesty. 'I'm extremely happy with the audience reaction to the film. I think that the (viewership) numbers are doing very well. The overall audience perception and the feedback that I've been getting are good," he said. 'There have been some criticisms. There have been some reviews that are critical, which is fair. What is important is to learn from it and move forward, but I'm genuinely overwhelmed. I feel that if it's managed to touch a few people, I can't be happier than that."
The filmmaker added that while he naturally hopes for glowing reviews and unprecedented success, he's realistic about the learning curve. 'Ideally, you want every review to be five stars, and you want the box office collection to be unheard of. But this will not be my only film. There's something that I can learn from it, and I will apply that in the next one."
Kayoze also acknowledged the flaws that critics have pointed out. 'Are there a few loopholes in the film? Maybe! Are there a few things that could have been done differently? Maybe. But the important thing is that the film worked on a larger level, and they were forgiving of a few of the issues."
When asked what he would change if he could revisit the film, Kayoze candidly shared, 'One thing that I would have done differently with Sarzameen was bringing Ibrahim into the film a little earlier, and I would have had more of the cat-and-mouse chase before he is discovered. These are the two things I would have done differently."
Sarzameen follows the story of an Indian Army officer—played by Prithviraj Sukumaran—whose worst fears come true when he learns that his estranged son, portrayed by Ibrahim Ali Khan, has joined a militant group. The film attempts to explore generational trauma, ideological conflicts, and fractured familial bonds against the backdrop of a volatile region. Kajol also stars in the film in a supporting role, which has drawn its own share of criticism for its underwritten arc.
Despite its imperfections, Sarzameen seems to have found a niche audience. As Kayoze Irani puts it, 'If it's managed to touch a few people, I can't be happier than that."
First Published:
August 02, 2025, 17:58 IST
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