Ae Watan… Mere Watan Story:-
“Ae Watan Mere Watan” offers an engaging narrative, but it ultimately falls short of realizing its full potential for delivering thrills.
Movie Ratings
| Release Date | 21 March 2024 |
| Language | Hindi |
| Genre | Biography, Drama, History |
| Duration | 2h 13min |
| Cast | Sara Ali Khan, Benedict Garrett, Alexx O’Nell, Sparsh Srivastav, Anand Tiwari, Abhay Verma, Richard Bhakti Klein, Godaan Kumar, Ashton Bessette, Priyanam Das, Ed Robinson, Manya Singh, Ankur Yadav, Garrvil Mohanmore… |
| Director | Kannan Iyer |
| Writer | Darab Farooqui, Kannan Iyer |
| Cinematography | Amalendu Chaudhary |
| Music | Utkarsh Umesh Dhotekar |
| Producer | Karan Johar, Apoorva Mehta |
| Production | Dharmatic Entertainment |
| Certificate | 16+ |
During the peak of Mahatma Gandhi’s Quit India movement, a young girl rises to the challenge of uniting freedom fighters by spearheading an underground radio station to bridge the communication gap.
“Ae Watan Mere Watan” illuminates a lesser-known chapter from India’s struggle for independence, a story pivotal in reshaping the nation’s trajectory during Mahatma Gandhi’s Quit India movement. This biographical drama immerses audiences in its portrayal of the era, boasting exquisite art direction that vividly captures the atmosphere of the period. However, despite its engaging premise, the film leans more towards being a thriller, focusing on the protagonist’s efforts to safeguard the underground radio station while evading capture by the British authorities. While this premise holds promise for gripping moments of suspense, the filmmakers fall short of fully capitalizing on its potential. Regrettably, the film lacks deeper exploration of its thrilling elements, leaving viewers yearning for a more immersive experience.
The narrative of “Ae Watan Mere Watan” is rooted in true events, revolving around the courageous actions of Usha Mehta (portrayed by Sara Ali Khan), who, at a young age, commits herself to India’s struggle for independence. The story begins in 1930 Surat before shifting to Mumbai in 1942, where Usha’s father attains the position of a judge in British India. A poignant scene depicting her father flaunting a car gifted by the British underscores Usha’s profound disdain for the colonial empire. Inspired by Mahatma Gandhi’s ideals, Usha and her friends pledge their support to the freedom movement under the Congress. Upon joining forces with the Congress, they recognize the urgent need to address the communication gap among freedom fighters, a crucial factor in expediting India’s liberation. With the assistance of Firdaus Engineer (played by Anand Tiwari), Usha establishes an underground radio station, forging connections among freedom fighters. As they navigate the perilous path towards India’s independence, they receive support from notable figures like Ram Manohar Lohia (portrayed by Emraan Hashmi). However, their plans are jeopardized when the British authorities uncover their activities, sparking a high-stakes game of cat and mouse.
Sara Ali Khan’s portrayal of Usha Mehta is earnest, yet it barely scratches the surface of the character’s depth, considering her historical significance in the freedom struggle. Despite several intense scenes, particularly those depicting Usha’s interactions with Kaushik and her father, none of them leave a lasting emotional impact. Sara’s performance appears restrained, hindering the scenes from fully resonating with the audience. John Lyre (played by Alexx O’Nell), depicted as the antagonist tasked with apprehending Usha and shutting down the radio station, lacks depth due to his perpetually grumpy demeanor. Effective communication through body language and facial expressions is a skill not all actors master. However, two standout performances in the film are Sparsh Srivastav as Fahad and Emraan Hashmi as Ram Manohar Lohia. Sparsh’s intense portrayal is convincing, while Emraan Hashmi’s portrayal adds to his impressive versatility as an actor.
“Ae Watan Mere Watan” presents an engaging narrative, but it falls short of realizing its full potential for delivering thrills. The film brings to mind the recently streamed series “All the Lights We Cannot See,” starring Mark Ruffalo, Hugh Laurie, and Aria Mia Loberti. If the film had captured the same level of excitement as the series, the viewing experience would have been greatly enhanced. While this historical drama stays true to its portrayal without unnecessary embellishments, there is room for improvement.
