• Published: Mar 31 2026 02:34 PM
  • Last Updated: Mar 31 2026 04:01 PM

Raazi author Harinder Sikka attacks Meghna Gulzar again, calling his choice a mistake. Discover why the Calling Sehmat story is back in the news.



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Some stories don’t end when the film ends. They stay… and come back when you least expect.

That’s what is happening right now with the Raazi controversy, almost 8 years after the film’s release. A film many people loved, watched with emotions, even recommended to friends, is suddenly being talked about again. But not in the same way as before.

This time, the mood feels different. A bit tense, a bit confusing. Something from behind the scenes of the Meghna Gulzar Raazi film has come forward, and now people are asking questions they didn’t ask earlier. And honestly, it makes you wonder… did we really know the full story?

Why Raazi Film Controversy Is Trending Again With Meghna Gulzar

The name coming into discussion again is Meghna Gulzar, the director of Raazi. The film was based on the book Calling Sehmat, written by Harinder Singh Sikka.

Recently, Sikka has spoken openly about the film and his experience with it. He shared that he is not fully happy with how the story was shown on screen. According to him, the film changed certain parts of the original story and presented them differently.

This discussion has picked up even more because conversations around espionage-based stories are growing again, especially with the buzz around Dhurandhar 2. Because of that, older films like Raazi are being looked at again, but now with a more critical lens.

Why Harinder Singh Sikka Is Upset With Raazi Film Changes

Sikka’s comments are quite direct and emotional this time. He said that choosing Meghna Gulzar was his “biggest mistake,” which shows how strongly he feels about it.

He claimed that the story was presented with an ideological angle that, according to him, reduced the real strength of the main character. He also mentioned that he had received warnings earlier but did not take them seriously at that time.

Another interesting point he raised is that his book highlights deeper themes like cross-border realities, internal challenges, and complex networks, which he believes were not fully shown in the film.

He even extended his criticism to her other work, including the biopic on Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, saying certain historical aspects were not fully explored. This has made the debate even wider now, not just limited to Raazi.

Raazi Film Success And Why Audience Loved It So Much

Even with all this criticism, one thing is clear — Raazi was a big success. The film starred Alia Bhatt in the lead role, along with actors like Vicky Kaushal and Jaideep Ahlawat, and it connected strongly with audiences.

The story followed a young Indian woman who becomes a spy and gets married into a Pakistani military family during the 1971 war. This emotional and risky journey made the film very engaging.

People appreciated:

  • The strong emotional storytelling
  • The balanced portrayal without extreme negativity
  • The realistic and grounded narrative

For many viewers, the film was not just about spying, but about sacrifice and difficult choices, which is why it still feels special to them.

Raazi Real Story Vs Film What Really Changed In The Movie

This situation brings a bigger question into focus — how much can filmmakers change a real story?

Books and films are different mediums, so changes are often made to make the story work better on screen. But when a story is based on real-life inspiration, these changes can become sensitive.

In this case, Sikka believes that the original message and depth of the story were altered. He feels that the film simplified certain aspects and focused more on emotional storytelling rather than the full complexity of the narrative.

At the same time, many filmmakers believe that creative freedom is necessary to connect with a wider audience. This gap between expectation and execution is what often leads to such controversies.

Meghna Gulzar Reaction What She Said And Public Response

So far, Meghna Gulzar has not shared a detailed response to these recent comments. And that silence is also making people more curious.

Online reactions are clearly divided. Some people are supporting the author, saying that original stories should not be changed too much. Others are supporting the director, saying that films are a different form of storytelling and need creative liberty.

There are also viewers who are confused, because they loved the film but are now hearing a completely different perspective from the author. This mix of emotions is what is keeping the topic trending.

Dhurandhar 2 Craze Bringing Raazi Back Into Spotlight

The timing of this controversy is very interesting. The growing popularity of spy-based content and the buzz around Dhurandhar 2 has brought attention back to older works like Raazi.

As people started comparing stories and narratives, Sikka’s earlier opinions started gaining attention again. He also mentioned that his book continues to be widely read and appreciated globally, even after many years.

He revealed that some of his other books like Vichhoda, Gobind, and The Chabimaster are also being planned for screen adaptations. This shows that his work is still very active and relevant today, which adds more weight to his statements.

Meghna Gulzar

Important Details About Raazi Film And Controversy

Detail

Information

Film

Raazi (2018 Bollywood spy drama based on real-life inspired events)

Director

Meghna Gulzar known for realistic and emotional storytelling

Author

Harinder Singh Sikka who wrote the original espionage story

Book

Calling Sehmat (novel inspired by a real Indian spy mission before 1971 war)

Lead Actress

Alia Bhatt played the role of Sehmat, an Indian spy

Supporting Cast

Vicky Kaushal, Jaideep Ahlawat and others in key roles

Story Setting

India and Pakistan during the 1971 Indo-Pak war period

Issue

Author claims film changed the original story and diluted the protagonist’s intent

Controversy Trigger

Recent public statements by the author criticising the film adaptation

Status

Ongoing debate among audience, author, and film industry viewers

What This Raazi Controversy Means For Bollywood Storytelling

This issue is bigger than just one film. It shows how storytelling in Bollywood is changing.

Today, audiences are more aware and want transparency. Authors are also more vocal about how their work is presented. This creates a situation where both sides — creators and filmmakers — need to work more closely and clearly.

In the future, we might see:

  • More involvement of authors in film adaptations
  • Clear communication about changes in stories
  • Stronger focus on authenticity in real-life inspired films

This debate may feel uncomfortable right now, but it could lead to better and more honest storytelling in the long run.

Other Articles to Read:

Source(Image / Thumbnail): www.firstpost.com

FAQ

Meghna Gulzar is trending because author Harinder Singh Sikka recently criticised the Raazi film adaptation.

He said the story was changed and did not match the original book Calling Sehmat.

Yes, Raazi is based on the book Calling Sehmat, which is inspired by real events.

Raazi was directed by Meghna Gulzar and starred Alia Bhatt, Vicky Kaushal, and Jaideep Ahlawat.

The criticism started after new comments by the author and fresh discussions around spy films.

There is no detailed public response from Meghna Gulzar yet.

Calling Sehmat is an espionage story about an Indian spy sent to Pakistan before the 1971 war.

Yes, the author said some of his other books are also being planned for film adaptations.

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