'My gravest misjudgment': 'Calling Sehmat' author says Meghna Gulzar's bias diminished protagonist's true spirit in 'Raazi'

Author Harinder Singh Sikka has criticised the film adaptation of his novel 'Calling Sehmat', saying it did not fully capture the essence of the original work.

In a post on X, Sikka wrote, "Calling Sehmat #Raazi ranks among the top books on espionage ever written, globally. It exposes Pakistan across border, hostile forces in Bollywood & a Punjab-based criminals within."

Calling

Sehmat #Raazi ranks among the top books on espionage ever written, globally. It exposes Pakistan across border, hostile forces in Bollywood & a Punjab-based criminals within.

Appointing Meghna Gulzar was my gravest misjudgment. Despite clear warnings, I failed to… pic.twitter.com/RZHxAwdmSq

— Harinder S Sikka (@sikka_harinder) March 29, 2026

He also described the decision to appoint filmmaker Meghna Gulzar for Raazi as his "gravest misjudgment".

"Appointing Meghna Gulzar was my gravest misjudgment. Despite clear warnings, I failed to foresee how ideological bias would end up diminishing the true spirit of the protagonist," he said.

Sikka added that the book continues to resonate nearly two decades after its release. "Nearly two decades later, the book continues to leave its mark across the world. Penguin best sellers; Vichhoda, Gobind, The Chabimaster are being scripted, for our beautiful nation deserves to see the complete truth," he wrote.

A user suggested remaking Raazi with actor Yami Gautam and offered support for a crowdfunding campaign. Sikka responded that he did not require financial backing and said, "Indeed, Yami is a great actor. Her best is yet to come." On being asked if a remake was being considered, he said, "No comments."

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