A powerful biographical drama directed by Omung Kumar, chronicling the real-life tragedy of Sarabjit Singh, an Indian farmer from Bhikhiwind, Punjab. Mistakenly arrested in 1990 after straying across the border while drunk, he was convicted by Pakistan as a spy and terrorist for 1990 Lahore and Faisalabad bombings that killed 14 people. He spent 22 harrowing years in Lahore’s Kot Lakhpat Jail on death row. His sister Dalbir Kaur’s tireless campaign for justice defined the story until his brutal prison attack in April 2013 led to his death days later.
Randeep Hooda delivered a transformative performance as Sarabjit, a title role and tour-de-force performance that deserved more accolades, awards, recognition, honour.... and yet, it all got eclipsed by the superstar and supreme beauty of his co-star, 'the' Aishwarya Rai. Note how Rai dominates all the publicity posters and stills of the movie - the makers knew they could lean on Rai to bring in audiences, far more than Hooda can - even though, it was 'his' movie. He delivers a shattering performance, but we walked away thinking, even in the shots of Rai serving, cleaning, washing at the Golden Temple, she looked so staggeringly beautiful.
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan’s portrayal of Dalbir Kaur stands as one of her most underrated acts. The makers made a genuine effort to de-glamorize the global icon - dressing her in simple salwar kameez, minimal makeup, and village-appropriate looks to embody a resilient, ordinary Punjabi woman fighting systemic injustice. Yet, Rai’s staggering beauty and razor-sharp bone structure shone through irresistibly. Even in raw, stripped-down scenes with the makeup toned down, her luminous features and screen presence proved it takes real effort to de-glamorise 'the' Aishwarya Rai.
She brought sincerity, quiet strength, and emotional depth, shining her luminescent light on this ordinary family’s decades-long pain, suffering, and unyielding hope.
Despite its importance as a true story highlighting cross-border human tragedy, the film received lukewarm reviews and modest reception. It earned around ₹43.8 crore worldwide against a ₹15 crore budget - turning a profit but failing to become a major hit or blockbuster. However, any sensible producer would have known that this wouldn't make 'Dhoom' money, hence it was modestly budgeted - yet packed a powerful punch.
Many believe audiences stayed away because it lacked a typical Bollywood redemption arc or happy ending. In a country where life is already hard, viewers often seek escapist narratives that reassure them good triumphs and justice prevails. Sarbjit offered no such comfort - mirroring reality’s harshness.
Rai deserved far more accolades for lending her immense star power to this touching tale. Her committed performance got somewhat lost in the haze, though she won Best Actress at events like the BIG ZEE Entertainment Awards and IFFAA. At a time when it was trending to take potshots at the actress, the media seemed wildly reluctant to give her, her flowers } to pilfer the parlance of today. Rai's staggering beauty has always eclipsed her all other skillsets. No matter how hard she works as a dancer, actor, orator, fashionista, her God-given, genetically blessed pulchritude supersedes all.
An important, well-intentioned film that deserved a wider audience. Hopefully, new gen will find it online and or on OTT.
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