Mumbai, India – Months after facing significant trolling for his debut film Nadaaniyan, Saif Ali Khan’s son, Ibrahim Ali Khan, has made his second foray into the digital streaming space with the action thriller Sarzameen. The film, which marks Kayoze Irani’s (Boman Irani’s son) directorial debut, also features seasoned actors Kajol and Prithviraj Sukumaran in prominent roles. Released on an OTT platform today, Sarzameen is garnering early reviews suggesting it’s largely a “one-time watch.”
The trailer for Sarzameen hinted at a compelling plot: Kajol is married to an army officer played by Prithviraj, and Ibrahim is apparently their son, who seems to have inexplicably turned into a terrorist. The film, set against the tense backdrop of Kashmir, explores themes of patriotism, family, and the complex journey of a son who goes astray.
Early reactions from netizens have been mixed, though several highlighted standout performances and noted Ibrahim’s growth since his first outing.
One social media user shared, “Good one time OTT watch. The narrative could have been far more gripping if the execution matched the huge strength of the plot. #Kajol delivers a standout performance – will remind you of Gupt. Prithviraj is impressive too and IAK has improved. 2.8/5 #Sarzameen.”
Another fan commented, “#Sarzameen is an above average film especially for the performances of @itsKajolD @PrithviOfficial and a sincere #IbrahimAliKhan. The familiar storyline and treatment and dejavu to Mission Kashmir cannot be ignored. A sincere attempt nevertheless. Watchable.”
A review on X added, “#SarzameenReview: It has vibes like Mission Kashmir and Fanaa. Rating: 3*/5 ⭐⭐⭐ #Sarzameen is a one time watch film where #PrithvirajSukumaran and #Kajol pull off the dramedy very well whereas the #IbrahimAliKhan’s performance is just decent. He has to learn more but I think that with time, everything will be okay. ✅ Give it a go if you have time.”
#Sarzameen had a solid premise but failed to deliver. Weak screenplay and direction let it down. Prithvi, Kajol & the rest of the cast did well, but there was no real emotional connect. Overall, a mid watch with no standout moments.
— K A L K I (@iamkalki_13) July 25, 2025
AVERAGE pic.twitter.com/sKHJmAfeno
While many reviews acknowledge that the storyline might feel familiar, drawing comparisons to films like Mission Kashmir and Fanaa, the performances of Kajol and Prithviraj Sukumaran have received significant praise. Kajol, in particular, is noted for her powerful and emotionally charged portrayal, with some reviewers stating she “takes the cake” with her performance as the mother. Prithviraj Sukumaran’s intensity and gravitas are also commended, though some critics feel his role could have been further developed.
#SarzameenOnJioHotstar :⭐⭐
— Lakshman Sai Kumar Tumati (@xoxoLakshman) July 25, 2025
Very predictable & on-the-nose
Even a RAW chief will retire after doing these many missions but Bollywood is not slowing down just tiring us out
Even that amazing cast & efforts couldn't save the script with such lousy writing#Sarzameen #Kajol… pic.twitter.com/lU6lVkXvIa
For Ibrahim Ali Khan, this film is seen as a marked improvement from his previous venture. While his performance is generally described as “decent” and showing “potential,” some critiques point out that he still has room for growth, especially when sharing the screen with his more experienced co-stars. His screen time is also reportedly limited, with his character appearing almost an hour into the film.
Yesterday night, Ibrahim attended a special premiere of Sarzameen. He was spotted with his actor sister Sara Ali Khan, good friend and Raveena Tandon’s daughter Rasha Thadani, and various other personalities and fans.
Sarzameen is directed by Kayoze Irani and produced by Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions and Star Studios. It is available to stream on JioCinema.
With these early reviews emerging, the question remains: are you planning to watch Ibrahim, Kajol, and Prithviraj’s Sarzameen this weekend?