EXCLUSIVE - Raazi director Meghna Gulzar: In 1971, patriotism was about shouting less and doing more

Director Meghna Gulzar's Raazi starring Alia Bhatt and Vicky Kaushal has managed to make it big at the box-office. The film has received a positive response from the critics as well as the audience. It is produced by Karan Johar's home production Dharma Productions. 

Raazi tells the story of a Kashmiri young girl named Sehmat (played by Alia), who turns a spy for India in Pakistan during the 1970s. Sehmat is married to a Pakistani military officer Iqbal Syed (Vicky). Both Alia and Vicky have given stellar performances in the film.

The film is quite gripping with its storyline focusing on topics like patriotism, loyalty towards the nation, complex emotions to choose between family and the nation and much more. In an EXCLUSIVE interview with Pinkvilla, we asked Meghna Gulzar about how she managed to make Raazi, a film which also focuses on the topic of patriotism that is highly debatable today taking in consideration how every individual perceives and perform it differently.

Read the interview below:

How did you come up with the idea of making Raazi?

Actually, the idea came to me by Priti Shahani of Junglee Pictures. She had read the book and she asked me if I would be interested in telling the story and I gladly jumped in as it is a powerful story. As it turned out, she eventually didn't succeed in acquiring the rights on the book and so I started developing other material and a month later, another production house reached out to me and asked me if I would like to make a film on this book. It was the same book again. I read the book and was very fascinated with the story, with the strength and sacrifice of this girl. But again with that production house also didn't come to a conclusion. The author seemed to be very confident that he would want me to direct the film. So, I told him to let's get into an understanding where I will develop the story and I will get it to the studio myself, which is what I did. I took it right back to Junglee Pictures because it was the moral thing to do. I'd already met Alia in the course of these 9-8 months of this journey. Then I went and met Karan and he loved the story and Dharma Productions also came onboard. So, that's actually how it happened. 

Alia Bhatt and Vicky Kaushal have given phenomenal performances in the film. What are your thoughts on working with both the actors?

I'm just glad and fortunate that they agreed to be a part of this film. Because the way they have brought their characters Sehmat and Iqbal, I seriously doubt anybody else could've done it the same way and along with that, me to get an opportunity to work with two such wonderful people, apart from being the talented actor that they are have really made working on this film a very, very cherished memory for me. 

What challenges you had to face while making Raazi?

Shooting on locations and trying to recreate 1971 in 2017 was a nightmare. But thankfully, the production team of Dharma Productions was on point that they made everything doable and simple. And also the grey line, the duality in the film are quite tricky and to be able to execute that and do it authentically and still communicate what you want to say, was not easy. But, I am glad that it turned out the way it is. 

The film touches the topic of patriotism which is a sensitive topic in today's time. People have their own definitions for it. But they loved what you showed in the film. How did you manage to show this sentiment beautifully in the film?

I think the patriotism you are talking about is the patriotism of today. What I am showing is the patriotism that used to be in 1971. A lot of it was about shouting less and doing more, which is actually how it used to be. But I am actually glad that people have liked the film because when we step out of the cloud of social media, real people, two people are actually like this, like they subscribe to the patriotism that the film talks about which is why they have accepted it the way they have.

Considering the situation in our country today, did you have any second thoughts on making Raazi that talk about patriotism and on the topic of India-Pakistan war?

No, I didn't have any second thoughts because I truly believe that my people are far more evolved, very, very rich culturally and historically. I really feel that our diversity is our strength. So, I felt that if the intent of the film and the integrity of the film come across correctly, it is going to get accepted by the audience because I did believe that at a people to people level, we are not those jingoistic, slogan-carrying people, we are actually very warm to each other. We look at each other as humans. I went with that belief. 

Alia's character Sehmat has too many complexities. Was there any scene that affected you or Alia emotionally?

Aww! Her entire journey affected us. From who she was when she was pursuing her college to the things that she does and what goes off her into doing these things that she turns into eventually. I think the entire arc of the character is extremely tragic and knowing that it's a true story, it's completely overwhelming and I know that it depleted Alia when she will have to do these things. 

Usually, movies based on books aren't much appreciated. What do you have to say about the appreciation Raazi has received? 

I don't think it has got any connection whether it's adapted from the book or not. This generally is a film with acceptance. It's a big relief, first of all for the director. Because,  as a director when your film is on release, you’re in a very vulnerable place. It's like exposing the inner-most core of yourself in front of a million people and now telling them ki give me your opinion. It's a very frightening and very vulnerable place to be in. And when that opinion is so overwhelmingly positive, it makes me very happy.

The film is receiving a great response at the box-office. What do you have to say about it?

It's overwhelming and completely unexpected. I don't think any of us expected this kind of intensity. I'm very grateful.