Indian Readers discussion

Hi Everyone !
Gorab and I are starting Calling Sehmat by H Sikka . Everyone is welcome to join in.

This book has been in my TBR since ages! Will try my best to join in. How do you have this buddy read - any particular number of chapters per day?

Most welcome , Rosh ! 😊
You can read at any speed suitable to you and post comments along the way . Spoiler comments need to have spoiler tags . Do you know how to attach spoiler tags , Rosh ? If not , I will tell you the format . It’s very easy actually .

I have finished the Prologue . The writing style is pleasant and flowing . It is pleasant , too , and comforting , to come across familiar names - Bhagat Singh , Khudiram Bose , Delhi , Ludhiana ..,.. .
The prologue describes the poignant homecoming of ☆☆Beware Spoilers (view spoiler)[ Samar , when he hears of the sudden death of his mother , Sehmat . (hide spoiler)] ☆☆ I suppose the whole story is a flashback from this point.
I have seen the movie Raazi and am looking forward to reading about Sehmat .

Savita wrote: "Most welcome , Rosh ! 😊
You can read at any speed suitable to you and post comments along the way . Spoiler comments need to have spoiler tags . Do you know how to attach spoiler tags , Rosh ? If..."

Thanks, Savita! :) I will definitely pop in whenever I begin this book, hopefully within the next few days. I do know how to use spoiler tags, and will take care to do so. Happy reading! :)

Most welcome to join in whenever your time permits , Rosh ! So far , as I have read , the book appears interesting and appealing .
I hope Gorab , too , joins in soon .

I have finished chapter 2 . I like Sehmat 's parents ' views on religion and humanity. ☆☆Beware Spoilers (view spoiler)[ God is one . And He is not someone who can be summoned by merely holding the Holy Quran and Gita or wearing a tilak on the forehead . He is without a predefined form and resides within you . He is omnipresent and can only be seen by the purity of one's mind and heart . And , regarding Hidayat .... ( he ) respected humanity more than any religion on earth . (hide spoiler)] ☆☆

Chapter 2 is a sad chapter . I can't imagine what ☆☆Beware Spoilers (view spoiler)[ Hidayat and Tej (hide spoiler)] ☆☆ must be going through ! ☆☆Beware Spoilers (view spoiler)[ Sehmat is still to be involved . (hide spoiler)] ☆☆

This story is all the more moving because it is based on true facts .

Reading chapter 6 . The chapters are short and the story is flowing and likeable .
Tej's words to her daughter Sehmat : Beware Spoilers☆☆
(view spoiler)[ Love can only happen once , and when it does , your heart will tell you that it is the one true love . Allow that to happen when it does . Food for thought 🤔 . ( I agree )
Are there dark clouds gathering over Sehmat and Aby's sweet love story ? ...... Her father is a dying man and he has a dangerous mission planned for her ( unknown to Sehmat at this stage ) . Also , is her foot wound innocent or is it going to develop into something nasty ? 🤔
I will feel sad if Aby and Sehmat get separated . They make such a sweet couple ! (hide spoiler)] ☆☆

Hello Savita,
I will be starting this by Wednesday.

Hello , Gorab ! So nice you have joined in .
I have reached chapter 8 . It’s a thought provoking story based on true facts . I think you will enjoy it .

Chapter 7 : I can sympathize with, but am horrified by , Sehmat 's dilemma . ☆☆ Beware Spoilers (view spoiler)[ She couldn't let her father down but she also wanted to be with Aby . And there was no middle ground.
How the darkness swooped down and obliterated the elusive happiness that belonged to Tej and Hidayat, and also the sunshine that was dawning over the lives of young Sehmat and Aby ! The situation was so intolerable ! You just want to shout and say , " No ! No ! " . Why couldn't the sunshine and happiness be forever ? .......
🤔 ... but , I suppose , since earth is but a temporary place, trials and tribulations have to be undergone , so that we can fight and win our way to Salvation . 💫🌟💫 (hide spoiler)] ☆☆
I wonder whether Hidayat was justified in sending ☆☆ Beware Spoilers (view spoiler)[ Sehmat on this dangerous mission ? (hide spoiler)] ☆☆

I have finished reading chapter 8 . I am surprised and uncomfortable about Sehmat 's behavior . I know I shouldn't be. After all , she has been given rigorous training to become a ☆☆Beware Spoilers (view spoiler)[ spy . That is her job now . But ..... still then .... It’s one thing to be a professional spy , and another thing to let down the trust and love of your friends and relatives . Sehmat 's father in law was Hidayat 's good friend . The Pakistani family has taken her into their bosom . She has gained their love and trust . ( Only the old servant Abdul doesn't trust her ) . I was struck by Sehmat 's slick , manipulative mind as she remorselessly uses her obviously ample intelligence and her great physical beauty to make the crusty General 's visit ( Gen Amir Khan ) a grand success . 🤔 .
To me Sehmat comes across as a coldly manipulative and scheming person and I would be very wary of associating with her . This impression I got after reading chapter 8 . Am I being mean and unfair to Sehmat ? Should she be just viewed as a dedicated professional and a very patriotic person , who has put her personal emotions completely aside ? I am trying to see her this way but am not at all succeeding 🤔 .
Then , the other thing that is rankling is the way she has apparently completely forgotten all about poor Aby ! 🤔 (hide spoiler)] ☆☆

Gorab , Rosh , any other member who has read this book - what is your view on Sehmat after reading chapter 8 ? Am I being too harsh on Sehmat ?
Anyway , let me read on and see what happens next . I don't think the movie is an exact copy of the book .

Your updates are irresistible. Going by them I picked this yesterday night. I will try to catch up and read till Chapter 10 by today.

Fingers are tingling to unravel those spoiler tags :)

Very much looking forward to your comments , Gorab ! I am surprised by the controversial thoughts that have arisen in my mind because of Sehmat . After all , I am a very patriotic person , and should have been in complete admiration of what Sehmat is doing . And yet .... ..... . Looking forward to your thoughts 🤔
Please read at your own speed or you may miss the point in this very well written story . 😊

I have finished chapter 10 . What an emotional turbulence this chapter stirs up ! Perhaps I am beginning to understand Sehmat 's mind through all the disturbed waves 🤔 ? ☆☆Beware Spoilers (view spoiler)[ Vital information about INS Vikrant and the looming war is sent to India .

Sehmat crushes old Abdul to death under a military truck ! UUUggghhh 😱 ! She had no option . He had realized that she was a spy .

Mir ( Delhi) wonders if Sehmat was purging her guilt ( regarding Aby ) by giving her all for the country ? (hide spoiler)] ☆☆
Yes , Mir sounds right .
Gosh , what a dreadful mission !! 🙄

I have read till chapter 8 now.

The parts with Aby somehow reminded of A Suitable Boy - boy and girl of different religion - meeting up in a bookshop/library - falling in love against family tensions - teased by besties :)
Though the sentiments and ambience was done much better by Vikram Seth.

Savita wrote: "Reading chapter 6 . The chapters are short and the story is flowing and likeable .
Tej's words to her daughter Sehmat : Beware Spoilers☆☆
Love can only happen once , and when it does , your h..."

Regarding "Love can only happen once" - sorry I disagree :D
It sounds true when you are in love - to make you feel good that this is the one person. Romances just don't work for me.
Seeing that extra sweetness in their relationship was a hint of them separating away. I wonder if they reunite again. With Aby also turning up as another spy (Mr and Mrs Smith anyone? :D)

That all happens only in fiction. The main plot is based on true events here.

Foot wound incident - I think that was a symbolisation of how dedicated she can be. When lost in her passion, she doesn't cares even if something is hurting her physically. I think this aspect of her we might see in the upcoming chapters.
I don't think the leg wound would reappear again as a plot thing. I might be wrong there.

Have you seen Razi before reading this?

I have :( and so when Iqbal came up, I couldn't help but imagine a vicky Kaushal there :|
Thankfully I can't say the same about Sehmat :)
Even though that was one of the best performances of Alia that I've seen.

Savita wrote: "I have finished reading chapter 8 . I am surprised and uncomfortable about Sehmat 's behavior."

Regarding her behavior -
(view spoiler)[ Thats very much expected of spies based on the stories I've heard. If there is a human side involved where you actually get attached to the family, that's your downside professionally. Must be a very difficult life.
I'm wondering how many such lives are secretly sacrificed, which could have a BIG impact on the outcome of a war/conflict. I guess we don't really get to know more than a tiny fraction of what actually happens.
Spy needs a totally different mindset and strong psychological command. Not sure how they would have honed Sehmat this fast! (hide spoiler)]

Gorab wrote: Mr and Mrs Smith anyone? :D"

Oh man, that movie! :D
That was where it started for the then IT couple, I guess.

Looks like you guys are having a blast!

Happy Reading. :)

Gorab wrote: "Savita wrote: "Reading chapter 6 . The chapters are short and the story is flowing and likeable .
Tej's words to her daughter Sehmat : Beware Spoilers☆☆
Love can only happen once , and when it ..."

Tej was referring to real love , Gorab ..... the one that is selfless , giving , sacrificing , caring , unconditional .... Real love is very rare , but it is not non existent . Only years of togetherness can , of course , prove and define the quality of the bond between two people . Not many human beings can satisfactorily meet the high and pure level of qualities required to call a bond real love. And , of course , there have to be two emotionally beautiful people involved . That itself is a rarity ! 🤔
Love at first sight is just a physical attraction . Only years can prove and define the quality of the bond that is to develop.
In Pyar toh hona hi tha the difference between real love , infatuation and mere physical attraction is brought out very well.

Will answer other comments a bit later 😊

Gorab wrote: "Foot wound incident - I think that was a symbolisation of how dedicated she can be. When lost in her passion, she doesn't cares even if something is hurting her physically. I think this aspect of h..."

You are right , yes .

Gorab wrote: "Have you seen Razi before reading this?"

Yes , but I don't remember all the details too clearly.

I don't think there was any Aby equivalent in the movie ?

Gorab wrote: "Savita wrote: "I have finished reading chapter 8 . I am surprised and uncomfortable about Sehmat 's behavior."

Regarding her behavior -
Thats very much expected of spies based on the stories I'v..."

Hmm ....... what you've pointed out is absolutely correct . ☆☆Beware Spoilers (view spoiler)[ A spy's mindset has to be totally
different . But I am finding it all difficult to digest ! I am just amazed ..... stunned ..... shocked 😲 . (hide spoiler)] ☆☆ I have read chapter 10 . It is even more shocking - it's shown in the movie...... still then I was shocked , the cruel way it's described .

Bookworm wrote: "Gorab wrote: Mr and Mrs Smith anyone? :D"

Oh man, that movie! :D
That was where it started for the then IT couple, I guess.

Looks like you guys are having a blast!

Happy Reading. :)"

😊

I have read till Chapter 13.
After chapter 10, I can't ignore some potential plot holes :(
I hope they get filled up.

Will discuss in detail once I make more progress.
This is a fast paced read. I think I will be able to finish it by the weekend.

I am reading chapter 12 . You have gone ahead of me !

Oh wow! You both are already way ahead. I will join in from Monday, fingers crossed. :)

Lookiing forward to your comments when you join , Rosh . Have you seen the movie Razi , based on this book ?

Savita wrote: "Lookiing forward to your comments when you join , Rosh . Have you seen the movie Razi , based on this book ?"

Unfortunately, Savita, I have seen it. It was only afterwards that I discovered that it was based on this book. It was a good movie, no doubt, but I prefer reading the book first. :)

How's the book going for you so far? I haven't read any of your spoiler comments yet as I want to read it with a fresh mind.

I am enjoying the book , Rosh . I have seen the movie too. It's slightly different from the book. Main points are , of course, the same.

Finished Chapter 12 . ☆☆Beware Spoilers (view spoiler)[ This is revolting ! Horrible ! Sehmat kills her brother in law in cold blood ! There was no alternative , I suppose . Still , it was a ghastly act ! 🤔🙄😱 . Where is it all going to culminate ? (hide spoiler)] ☆☆

I finished it today afternoon.
From the book cover I knew it was adapted to a bollywood film.
After reading, realized there is one more bollywood film which came out of this book (chapters 19 to 21)!

The plot holes. Lest I forget to discuss them later.

1. Phone call - (view spoiler)[In the market where Sehmat made a discreet phone call, she initially had to give the number to the shop owner who made a couple of calls. Won't the shopkeeper know it was an Indian number?
Considering this event is around 1970's - a time where even phone booths were not really common! (hide spoiler)]

2. Chapter 10 Accident - (view spoiler)[Nobody would further enquire who was driving that army truck which resulted in killing someone? The sniffdogs were used in the book later, why not to trace the army truck driver? (hide spoiler)]

3. Ending - (view spoiler)[In spite of these many suspicions, why would the army personnel hand out these super critical documents to Sehmat when her father in law was tired? Why not Iqbal who was part of army? This is NOT the way confidential info is handled in ANY country! (hide spoiler)]

4. Ending2 - (view spoiler)[Iqbal would play a puppet for so long after Sehmat points that gun to him! Sehmat stays in close proximity to him. Its not like she is constantly pointing the gun at him always in other person's presence. Why would he act like a puppet then! Really? Why? That too an army personnel from that family background! Not a regular citizen! (hide spoiler)]

Gorab wrote: "I finished it today afternoon.
From the book cover I knew it was adapted to a bollywood film.
After reading, realized there is one more bollywood film which came out of this book (chapters 19 to 21)!"

Which was the second movie which came out of this book ?

Gorab wrote: "The plot holes. Lest I forget to discuss them later.

1. Phone call - In the market where Sehmat made a discreet phone call, she initially had to give the number to the shop owner who made a couple..."

Regarding the phone call : yes , true ! !
Regarding the accident : ☆☆Beware Spoilers (view spoiler)[ Oh , so sniffer dogs were used later on ? I was , also , wondering about the follow up . (hide spoiler)] ☆☆
I haven't opened the other two spoilers .

Reading chapter 16 . What a mess !!! ☆☆Beware Spoilers (view spoiler)[ The net is closing around Sehmat ! (hide spoiler)] ☆☆

Savita, please see the comments on the tome thread

Hi , Austin ! Welcome to the Calling Sehmat thread 😉😁! Now you will have to join in! HaHaHa ! 😅
Okay , jokes apart ! I will answer in the tome thread after checking the size of the HP book. Shortly.

Hahaha. Sorry. I am already busy with two books. I would have joined had the book been available in the library. I don't read e-books as I use computers a lot at work. I want to give some rest to my eyes at home. :-(

Since you are not on my friend list, I had to write the message here to grab your attention! :-)

Yes , I agree about the eye strain with ebooks .
Sending you a friend request , Austin . 😊

Savita wrote: "Gorab wrote: "I finished it today afternoon.
From the book cover I knew it was adapted to a bollywood film.
After reading, realized there is one more bollywood film which came out of this book (cha..."

Ghazi Attack.
Its kinda prequel to Razi.
As there is a scene in Ghazi Attack where Sehmat is referenced making a secret phone call.

Austin wrote: "Hahaha. Sorry. I am already busy with two books. I would have joined had the book been available in the library. I don't read e-books as I use computers a lot at work. I want to give some rest to m..."

DM me your address. I would love sending my copy of this book to you. It has some sketch pen marks on two pages, but I'm sure it will not cause any reading troubles.

Gorab wrote: "Savita wrote: "Gorab wrote: "I finished it today afternoon.
From the book cover I knew it was adapted to a bollywood film.
After reading, realized there is one more bollywood film which came out of..."

Oh , I see ! That's interesting ! Thanks , Gorab !