Archive · 3 Sep 2026
Ahead Of Daayra, Meghna Gulzar’s Characters Break Moulds
The article looks at how Meghna Gulzar creates characters who are more complex than simple labels.
It focuses on two characters from the film Raazi.
Alia Bhatt played Sehmat, a young woman placed in a difficult and unusual situation.
Sehmat must figure out how to deal with what happens to her.
Her vulnerability is an important part of who she is.
Vicky Kaushal played Iqbal Syed.
Iqbal takes care of Sehmat, but he is not just a husband or an obstacle in her mission.
Together, the characters are shown as more than simply a spy and her husband.
The discussion comes ahead of Daayra.
Meghna Gulzar’s film characters are discussed ahead of Daayra.
In Raazi, Alia Bhatt played Sehmat and Vicky Kaushal played Iqbal Syed.
Sehmat is portrayed as a young woman facing an extraordinary situation.
Sehmat’s vulnerability is described as central to her character.
Iqbal is more than the man on the other side of Sehmat’s mission and helps care for her.
- Who
- Meghna Gulzar, with Alia Bhatt as Sehmat and Vicky Kaushal as Iqbal Syed in Raazi.
- What
- An examination of how Gulzar creates layered characters rather than relying on simple roles.
- When
- Ahead of Daayra.
- Why
- To highlight that the characters in Raazi are more complex than simply a spy and her husband.
- Film discussed
- Raazi
- Director referenced
- Meghna Gulzar
- Sehmat
- Played by Alia Bhatt; a young woman thrust into an extraordinary situation.
- Iqbal Syed
- Played by Vicky Kaushal; he takes care of Sehmat.
- Central trait
- Sehmat’s vulnerability is central to her role.
- Character dynamic
- The characters are presented as more than simply a spy and her husband.
- Other project referenced
- Daayra