Book Review #121 : Calling Sehmat

Calling Sehmat was published a while ago, it has served as the plot for the Alia Bhatt starrer – Raazi. I'll be honest here. I only heard about this book when I went to watch Raazi - the Bollywood make of this book. I had loved Raazi. The hardships she had to face in order to save her nation were well, hard. All that she did for the country was impeccable.

Sikka spends the first few chapters establishing that Sehmat is a vehemently patriotic woman. The story is excellent – and being based on a real story of a young lady who takes huge risks for her country, it is also inspiring.

The story unfolds with the love story of Sehmat’s parents – Tej and Hidayat Khan. Tej visits Kashmir and is charmed by Hidayat. The story then picks up when Sehmat is in college and very gifted. Hidayat as part of his trade connections has contacts in Pakistan, and supplies crucial information to Indian Intelligence. He falls greviously ill, at the time when tensions between India and Pakistan are rising in 1971. The situation in East Pakistan is grim and troublesome for Pakistan, and they are keen to launch a pre-emptive attack on India. Hidayat comes to conclusion that there is no alternative except for Sehmat to take his place. 

Sehmat has to sacrifice her love for Abhinav and instead marry Iqbal, son of an influential officer in the Pakistani armed forces. She runs into a number of stressful situations but emerges as a splendid source of information for Indian Intelligence. 

The book adds more context to the college life of Sehmat, her love life, her hopes, as also what happens after she completes her assignment, as compared to the movie.

The story speaks for itself. Sehmat and her quest will draw you right into the pages of the book. Calling Sehmat is a poignant tale, of a girl with two contrasting sides- sensitive and passionate as well as heroic and ruthless.

Patriotic. Brave. Epic. Recommended!

Rating - 4.5/5