Movie Name : Ae Watan Mere Watan
Release Date : March 21, 2024
Piktalk.com Rating : 3/5
Starring: Sara Ali Khan, Emraan Hashmi, Abhay Verma, Sparsh Shrivastav, Alexx O’Nell, Sachin Khedekar
Director: Kannan Iyer
Producers: Karan Johar, Apoorva Mehta, Somen Mishra
Music Directors: Akash Deep Sengupta, Shashi Suman, Mukund Suryawansi, Utkarsh Dhotekar
Cinematographer: Amalendu Chaudhary
Editors: Sangeeth Varghese
Ae Watan Mere Watan is the latest film release on Prime Video, featuring Sara Ali Khan in the lead role. Let’s delve into its storyline and see how it fares.
Story :
“Ae Watan Mere Watan tells the inspiring story of Usha Mehta, portrayed by Sara Ali Khan. Usha was a courageous figure who stood up against the British rule during India’s fight for independence. She was a follower of Mahatma Gandhi and played a significant role in the Quit India Movement.
The film sheds light on Usha’s remarkable initiative, Congress Radio, an underground radio station she established. Through this radio, she spread the message of freedom and motivated people to join the movement for India’s liberation.
Ae Watan Mere Watan beautifully captures how Usha Mehta’s efforts contributed to the struggle for independence, showcasing her bravery and dedication to the cause.”
Positive Aspects:
We’re all familiar with the Quit India Movement led by Mahatma Gandhi during World War 2, but not many know about “Congress Radio,” a crucial means of spreading Gandhi’s message. When Gandhi and other leaders were arrested after the movement began, newspapers were censored, hindering the message’s reach. It was Usha Mehta who revived the movement through Congress Radio, broadcasting recorded messages of leaders. Ae Watan Mere Watan shines a light on this overlooked part of the freedom struggle, honoring an unsung hero.
The film gains momentum with the radio station’s establishment. It vividly portrays Usha Mehta and her friends’ struggles to evade the British authorities. The tension mounts as the British try to shut down the station, keeping viewers captivated.
Sara Ali Khan shines in her role as Usha Mehta, displaying the courage required. Emraan Hashmi, though promoted as a cameo, plays a significant, well-written part, providing strong support to Khan. Sparsh Shrivastav, Alexx O’Nell, and Sachin Khedkear deliver commendable performances in their roles.
Negative Aspects :
While Ae Watan Mere Watan holds interest in its middle parts, both the beginning and ending feel lackluster. The story starts slowly, with British officials searching for the hidden radio station. Some lengthy flashback scenes further slow down the pace until the radio station’s establishment sparks the film’s interest.
Unfortunately, the romantic subplot feels forced and unconvincing, failing to add emotional depth to the main story. This weak link makes the movie feel predictable and diminishes its impact. Towards the end, the film lacks the necessary intensity, with poorly executed scenes and a lackluster finale. Patriotic films like this usually thrive on a powerful ending, but Ae Watan Mere Watan falls short in delivering one.
Technical Elements :
The production design by Amrita Mahal Nakai and Sabrina Singh is amazing, beautifully capturing the pre-Independence era. The costumes are well-done, and the background score and songs are decent. Amalendu Chaudhary’s cinematography skillfully brings the visuals to life. While the production values are commendable, the editing could have been better.
Directed by Kannan Iyer, the movie has its moments, but it doesn’t leave a lasting impact. There are some thrilling sequences, but overall, the writing could have been stronger.
Conclusion :
Overall, Ae Watan Mere Watan brings attention to a part of India’s fight for freedom that many may not know about. Sara Ali Khan portrays Usha Mehta well, supported by Emraan Hashmi. While the middle parts are engaging, the beginning and end could have been better. The movie loses its impact towards the end, and the love story feels weak. If you enjoy learning about history, you might find Ae Watan Mere Watan worth a watch, but it’s not exceptional.
Piktalk.com Rating: 3/5
Reviewed by Team Piktalk