If the first images of the Alia Bhatt-starrer Raazi had piqued the curiosity of cinegoers, the trailer, which was launched on Tuesday, has generated tremendous buzz around the film. So much so that it was not only trending on a popular video-sharing site and all social media platforms but had also become a talking point among audiences and film trade alike.
The subject has intrigued moviegoers with its patriotic feel, production scale and raw emotions of this thrilling drama. Director Meghna Gulzar, who previously helmed the acclaimed and successful film Talvar (that was based on the 2008 Aarushi Talwar murder case), is said to have another winner on her hands with Raazi.
Alia has garnered appreciation for her acting prowess, a glimpse of which is showcased in the movie’s trailer. Whether in the portions where her character, Sehmat, is seen as a daughter, a wife, a spy, or a patriot, many feel that the popular Gen-Y actress will definitely walk away with all the accolades for her performance in this intense film. Lead actor Vicky Kaushal, who shot to fame with Masaan (2015), too, has been found endearing by viewers who have been raving about the promo.
Meghna, who has helmed this film, which also marks the collaboration between Junglee Pictures and Dharma Productions, concedes that like most filmmakers, she too didn’t anticipate this kind of response. She says, “It is overwhelming that the trailer was trending across all social media platforms. It’s also gratifying that people are talking about the film and the performance of the actors.”
Asked what drew her to the subject that has resonated with audiences, she replies, “It’s a powerful story. What makes it even more powerful is that it’s a true story of a 20-year-old college girl whose life suddenly changes one day. And she agrees to turn it around, by getting into a situation that most would not want to get into.”
Pleased with the praise that the trailer has generated, which in turn has triggered higher anticipation for the movie, Meghna says, “It’s not easy to get married into a family in another country that has hostile relations with your own. Living a dual life is difficult. It was as challenging for us to write it as it was for Alia to portray Sehmat. Grey is not easy to pull off.”
Raazi, presented by Junglee Pictures and Dharma Productions and produced by Vineet Jain, Karan Johar, Hiroo Yash Johar and Apoorva Mehta, releases on May 11, 2018.
