Harinder said, “Had it been in my control or I been a part of the filmmaking process of Raazi, I would have given it (Alia’s return) a different colour. I would have made her salute the tricolor and make her feel proud of what she did for the nation. I have addressed students across the country and one question that almost everybody asks me is that why did Sehmat (Alia’s character in the film) return feeling sad and depressed? I must tell you that in real life, Sehmat did not come back depressed. She came back normal. Indeed, she felt guilty because she was responsible for the death of a few people. But as Sehmat used to always say, “Agar aap apne maa ke nahi, to koi ke nahi. Agar aap apne desh ke nahi, to koi ke nahi.” This statement, in my opinion, should have been incorporated into the film. I would have made Alia kneel in front of the tricolour as Jana Gana Mana is being played in the background in the film. Then, I would have shown her saluting our national flag. This is where you show a replica of Jhansi Ki Rani because Sehmat was no less than that. However, there are somethings which are not in your control. Having said that, I must say that Alia did a great job in playing the character of Sehmat. She radiated honesty.”
Anupamaa
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