Ae Watan Mere Watan Review

"Ae Watan Mere Watan" - A Missed Opportunity in Indian History

Director - Kannan Iyer

Cast - Sara Ali Khan, Emraan Hashmi, Anand Tiwari, Sachin Khedekar, Abhay Verma, Sparsh Shrivastav, Alexx ONell, Benedict Garrett, Godaan Kumar, Uday Chandra, Aditi Sanwal, Pratik Yadav, Chrisann Pereira, Sanjeev Jaiswal

Platform - Prime Video

Rating – 2.5

"Ae Watan Mere Watan" is a film set in the final years of British rule in India, focusing on the revolutionary efforts of Usha Mehta, a college student who starts a pirate radio station to broadcast messages of independence. As Usha, along with her friends Kaushik and Fahad, becomes increasingly involved in the freedom movement, they find themselves facing off against the oppressive British authorities in a struggle for freedom and justice.

"Ae Watan Mere Watan" had all the ingredients to be a compelling and thought-provoking film about one of the most pivotal periods in Indian history. However, despite its promising premise, the film falls short in almost every aspect, resulting in a disappointing cinematic experience.

One of the film's major drawbacks is its lackluster screenplay, which fails to fully explore the complexities of the freedom movement and the characters involved. The dialogue is often stilted and unnatural, making it difficult for the audience to connect with the characters on an emotional level. Additionally, the film's attempts at period-appropriate language feel forced and contrived, further detracting from its authenticity.

The performances in "Ae Watan Mere Watan" are also underwhelming, with the cast struggling to bring depth and nuance to their roles. Sara Ali Khan, in particular, seems miscast as the idealistic Usha Mehta, failing to convey the passion and determination of her character convincingly. Abhay Verma and Sparsh Shrivastav, who play Usha's friends Kaushik and Fahad, also deliver forgettable performances, failing to leave a lasting impression.

Visually, the film is uninspired, with a diseased yellow color palette and fake-looking sets that detract from the overall viewing experience. The lack of rhythm and pacing further diminishes the film's impact, making it a tedious watch despite its relatively short runtime.

Despite its flaws, "Ae Watan Mere Watan" does offer a rare glimpse into a period of Indian history that is often overlooked. The film's portrayal of Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, and Parsis working together for freedom is a refreshing change from the usual narratives that dominate Indian cinema. However, this is not enough to save the film from being a forgettable and ultimately disappointing experience.

In conclusion, "Ae Watan Mere Watan" is a film that had the potential to be great but falls short in almost every aspect. Its weak screenplay, lackluster performances, and uninspired direction make it a film that is best avoided, despite its noble intentions.