Where patriotic action meets the worst of Dharma's emotional excess

WHAT IF Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham was an Animal-coded war film set in Kashmir? That's Sarzameen. It features a son yearning for the love of his father, who finds him rather weak.

- SHREYAS PANDE

WHAT IF Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham was an Animal-coded war film set in Kashmir? That's Sarzameen. It features a son yearning for the love of his father, who finds him rather weak. Col. Vijay Menon (Prithviraj Sukumaran) is a dedicated army officer and a ruthless father, who isn't quite proud of Harman (Ibrahim Ali Khan), his underconfident, stuttering son. Stationed in Kashmir, Vijay is willing to take an extra mile to fight with militants, not thinking even of his son's safety when it comes to protecting his land. He excels in resolving the country's issues but remains a failure in dealing with his daddy issues. And so, the son turns bitter, taking arms against his own father. But there are more tears shed than blood, more sentiments exchanged than bullets. Generational trauma is resolved before battle wounds are healed. It is about family after all. This is a Dharma film.