Ae Watan Mere Watan Movie Review- Hindi (2024)

 Movie: Ae Watan Mere Watan (2024)

Director: Kannan Iyer

Production: Karan Johar, Apoorva Mehta & Somen Mishra

Cast: Saara Ali Khan, Emraan Hashmi, Sparsh Srivatsav, Abhay Verma & Others

Music: Mukund Suryawanshi, Akashdeep & Shahsi Suman

Editor: Sangeeth Vargheese

Cinematography: Amalendu Chaudary

Release Date: 21/02/2024

Language: Hindi

Streaming Platform: Amazon Prime

Censor: U/A

3.5/5

'A Snick To 1942'

01. What is 'Ae Watan Mere Watan (AWMW)' all about?

Its a historical biographical film about the freedom fighter- Usha Mehta , who was an activist in Pre-Independence activities & also an active member in Indian Congress & also a great follower of the legend- Mahatma Gandhi. Usha Mehta also holds a Phd. degree in bringing in & spreading the 'Gandhian' thought in India. She holds a special place in every Congress activists for her remarkable achievement in running the 'Congress Radio' secretly hiding from the then stubborn British Government. 

AWMW is more about how Usha managed to oppose her Father who's a retired British-Indian official Judge & has least respect to the thought about having an independent India/British-free India. Here the director brings in the view of Usha to join the pre-independent Congress & express her views to sincerely fight to have a British-free India, it mostly focusses on how the brave little girl from a very tender age itself is indulged in the thought of having an independent India & her strong admiration towards all the Gandhian principles. Usha announced her life long celibacy to devotee herself to the country. AWMW takes a turn when Gandhi & Nehru were arrested in the allegations during Quit India Movement in 1942, this is when Usha & her team plan to develop an all India Congress Radio to spread Gandhian thoughts, evoke spirit, patriotism & push the Young India towards the destiny of Independent India.

02. What strikes in AWMW?

The director was brilliant in bringing in the flavor of pre-independence with his silent shots, retro frames, character designs & minute detailing of every finishing.  The way how concept of Radio, Radio Transmitters & triangulation was dealt in the film evokes a clear picture which makes the viewer feels that he/she has really time-travelled into 1942. The other important element is why Usha & her friends were motivated to crux to start an all India Congress Radio in those tough times & why it was so tough for them to start a radio. 

The entire theme was to showcase the struggles of then ancestors who really devoted themselves entirely for just country's sake & in the welfare of future generations in the dream of a British free- independent India. The director more or less made it a documentary with much detailing on the issue why radio was developed by Usha & team & how it went on- which is yet another aspect that finds viewers in an riveting state. This film can be watched by Usha Mehta's followers. The concept of "Do or Die" given by Gandhi is executed too well in the film. 

03. Negatives?

Of course, every film has them right?! The direction is too slow paced & it oozes the interest of viewers who expect a lot from the film. This is not a film where the revolution or fight happens directly between Indians & British & is not a great success story- so in such a case- viewer has nothing much in the film but just to scroll along the retro frames & shots. The film is not completely about Usha Mehta's life, it is only about why Indian Congress had a necessity to run an underground radio & motivate people to revolt against the British. The film brings in the thought of- "Not every hero is exposed or known, but real heroes are those who remain unsung" but this doesn't find any proper relevance in the film. It is a much of documentary & less of a film, which is a problem to normal movie lover.

04. Performances & technicalities.

Saara Ali Khan as Usha Mehta is just brilliant, she took my heart with her killing performance. Though she was limited to less action in the film, the scenes where she was present evoked spirit of positivism. She was like into the skin of the real character. Emraan Hashmi & others had to just act as asked by the director & had no greater scope, but all of them shined equally.

Editing is a big problem, the irrelevance in scenes was pellucid. Cinematography was just ok & not upto the mark. Music had nothing to do with this film, but a song in between by the great Shukhwinder Singh stole my heart, it was too good. 

05. Finally.

I enjoyed watching this, ofcourse it is a one-time watch but pretty sure it is an unique experience. The way our ancestors sacrificed themselves for a peaceful India & their oblations should be forever commemorated. Let the world advance, let the technology enhance beyond limits but still the sacrifices of those who devoted for sake of a country selflessly should be remembered & celebrated. We cannot say, why is this picture or that history or this person is relevant today after so much advancement? They need their due honors at any moment of life. 

Give it a watch, share your views too.