If not for the selfless approach of the past generations, India would have never seen independence.
They fought for the rights of the people of the land and fought tooth and nail against the Britishers.
The freedom we take so lightly today came at their expense. Several movies have explored this theme in the past.
Ae Watan Mere Watan is the latest to attempt it. Streaming on Amazon Prime Video, the movie is inspired by the life of Usha Mehta.
It is set in the 1940s and runs for a bit over two hours.
Ae Watan Mere Watan Synopsis
The film follows the contribution of Usha Mehta in the Indian Freedom Struggle.
She was the founder the Congress Radio and motivated people to join the movement when prominent faces of India’s struggle, including Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru, were imprisoned by the Britishers.
Directed by Ashwini Iyer Tiwari, the movie features, Sara Ali Khan (Usha Mehta) and Sparsh Shrivastava (Fahad) in lead roles. Emraan Hashmi (Ram Manohar Lohia) has a guest appearance in the movie.
What Works for Ae Watan Mere Watan?
India’s struggle for independence was the most daunting and resilient among countries colonized by foreigners.
Against this backdrop, Ae Watan Mere Watan can be called a well-intentioned tribute to the freedom movement.
The storyline is relatable to not just Indians but to everyone who has ever fought for liberty and against injustice.
Ae Watan Mere Watan creates a backyard setup of street protests, resistance, and tyranny.
You will feel the disquiet in the narration, sensing the agony in the storyline.
How people from different walks, religions, and creeds come together for a singular purpose is a heartwarming thing to watch, especially in today’s times when India is more divided than ever, thanks to the present-day rulers.
Moreover, the background score helps the movie to settle an ambiance of inspiration.
An emotional musical pack helps the story to evolve and push the narrative evocatively.
It stimulates the viewers, instilling a sentimental force to reckon with.
How are the Performances?
Sara Ali Khan plays the lead role in the movie. Unfortunately, she fails to deliver the right chords. For a character like Usha Mehta, it was imperative to make her appear as authentic as possible.
But Sara is not a natural actor. Her dramatics fail the whole idea of Ae Watan Mere Watan.
The dialogues look heavy on her ostentatious profile.
She has a mien full of theatrics. Her body language, including hand gestures, does not align with the raw aura expected from a freedom fighter.
I hate to say this, but at times, Khan is difficult to bear as she feels deeply lost, expressionless, and also camera-conscious.
Sparsh Shrivastava as Fahad continues his upward tick. His detailed expressions and believable demeanor allow him to find relevance with the audience.
He has a sturdy core and doesn’t step back from his own self for even a small amount of time. The actor blends peculiarity with genuineness to come across as a heroic individual.
Emraan Hashmi refreshes the stalling plot with his arrival in Ae Watan Mere Watan. He impresses with his intricate dialogue delivery and guides the story honestly.
The art of Emraan has always relied on unconventionality arising out of traditional ideals, which is what he does here as well.
What Doesn’t Work Ae Watan Mere Watan?
The biggest downside of the film is its weak lead actress. And I have already written about it so no point reflecting more.
Ae Watan Mere Watan also fails to build the tension required to power a revolution. The emotional surroundings are half-hearted at best.
And while the movie does make sporadic comebacks, it always remains below the required levels.
Ae Watan Mere Watan could have easily been an iconic movie but it never rises from an average presentation.
The execution lacks conviction. It’s not sturdy.
It had the idea, intentions, and an unbelievable true story at its disposal, but, sadly, everything is thrown in the bin.
Stream or Skip?
If you can do an Ae Watan Mere Watan minus Sara Ali Khan, go for it. Any film or creation of India’s freedom struggle is welcome.
But if you are expecting a strong portrayal of Usha Mehta, there is no point watching this one.
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