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July 26, 2026Sources cited
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Entertainment • Film

Raazi

Raazi is a 2018 Indian Hindi-language spy thriller film directed by Meghna Gulzar.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Raazi is a 2018 Indian Hindi-language spy thriller film directed by Meghna Gulzar. Starring Alia Bhatt and Vicky Kaushal, it is adapted from Harinder Sikka’s 2008 novel Calling Sehmat and loosely based on a true account set around the 1971 Indo-Pakistani War.

Plot

The story centers on Sehmat, a Kashmiri woman recruited to spy for India by marrying into a Pakistani military family during the run-up to the 1971 Indo-Pakistani War.

Production

Raazi was directed by Meghna Gulzar and produced by Vineet Jain, Karan Johar, Hiroo Yash Johar, and Apoorva Mehta. It is based on Harinder Sikka’s novel Calling Sehmat, which itself draws on a real-life account.

Release and reception

The film premiered in theatres on 11 May 2018 and was met with positive critical response. It became a commercial success and one of the highest-grossing Indian films with a female lead.

Box office

Reportedly made on a budget of ₹350 million, Raazi earned ₹195.75 crore worldwide, making it a major box-office hit by Indian film standards.

Key facts

  • Raazi was released on 11 May 2018 and received positive reviews.
  • The film follows a young Kashmiri woman who marries into a Pakistani military family to gather intelligence for India during the 1971 war.
  • It was produced under the banners of Junglee Pictures and Dharma Productions.
  • The film stars Alia Bhatt in the lead role, with Vicky Kaushal in a major supporting role.
  • Raazi grossed ₹195.75 crore worldwide against a reported budget of ₹350 million.
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Canadian context

Raazi is of interest to Canadian readers as a widely discussed Indian film available through international streaming platforms and part of South Asian cinema consumed by Canada’s large Indo-Canadian audience.[3][15]

Frequently asked questions

What is Raazi?
Raazi is a 2018 Hindi-language Indian spy thriller film directed by Meghna Gulzar and starring Alia Bhatt.
What is Raazi based on?
It is adapted from Harinder Sikka’s 2008 novel Calling Sehmat, based on a true account of an Indian intelligence operative.
When was Raazi released?
Raazi was released in theatres on 11 May 2018.
Who stars in Raazi?
The film stars Alia Bhatt, Vicky Kaushal, Rajit Kapur, Shishir Sharma, and Jaideep Ahlawat.
What is the film about?
It tells the story of a Kashmiri woman who marries into a Pakistani military family to spy for India during the 1971 Indo-Pakistani War.
Was Raazi a commercial success?
Yes. It grossed ₹195.75 crore worldwide and was one of the highest-grossing Indian films led by a woman.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raazi
    Supports: Film title, year, language, director, producers, cast, source novel, release date, budget, worldwide gross
  2. Apple TV — https://tv.apple.com/us/movie/raazi/umc.cmc.44ptu9olauxgp33ha7qufbe0s
    Supports: Plot synopsis, setting, adaptation note, cast, director
  3. Netflix — https://www.netflix.com/title/81587834
    Supports: Plot synopsis and cast
  4. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7098658/
    Supports: Basic film identification and plot premise
  5. Gadgets 360 — https://www.gadgets360.com/entertainment/raazi-movie-22209
    Supports: Release date, language, genre, runtime, cast, director, plot and source novel