Author Harinder Sikka is once again in the spotlight amid discussions around Dhurandhar 2. While the film is receiving attention, Sikka has spoken about his disappointment with Raazi. He revealed concerns about how his book Calling Sehmat was adapted for cinema.
Sikka stated that choosing Meghna Gulzar as director was a major regret. He believes the film changed the core of his story. In the book, Sehmat is shown as a confident patriot, proud of her role in serving the country.
In contrast, the film portrayed Sehmat as emotionally conflicted and troubled. According to Sikka, this shift reflected the director’s personal interpretation. He also claimed that he was sidelined after signing the rights and did not receive due recognition.
Such creative changes are not new in Bollywood. Many films inspired by real events often alter details. Chak De India is frequently cited, as it drew from Ranjan Negi’s life but changed the lead character into Kabir Khan.
Another example is Deepa Mehta’s Fire, which explored a same sex relationship. The story was inspired by Lihaf, where the characters were Muslim. However, the film presented them as Hindu women, showing a different cultural setting.
These instances highlight how filmmakers adapt stories to suit cinematic narratives. For writers like Harinder Sikka, this raises questions about creative control. It also reflects the challenges of preserving original intent in film adaptations.
