IB 71

Vidyut Jammwal is an actor I have rooted for ever since his hindi film debut inForce. An actor whom proved his acting chops in a negative role, some would argue even stole the show. I still defend Jammwal the actor, as he is is often dismissed by various media outlets as just as an action star, quite on the contrary I feel that he is one of the few people who stands out beyond his physical ability and strengths as a martial artist. While one always complained and justifiably so about the faltering screenplay in most of solo lead action films, Jammwal still had the ability to make an impression as he appeared in movies like Thupakki and the Khuda Haafiz franchise, where he made it clear that he isn’t a one trick pony! With his production company, action hero films, Jammwal actively seeks for creators whom have made a mark with their films but are often going unnoticed by the industry, shocked at the very fact that Sankalp Reddy did not get offers from the hindi film industry after showcasing such a stellar debut with his bilingual debut film Ghazi Attack. Collaborating with him in IB71, this seems to be an attempt by Jammwal to showcase no nonsense adrenaline pumping and slick action films with talented creators and I am all for it! The film focusses on the restless nature with which Pakistan were planning their next attack & the mission executed by the Indian intelligence buearu in 1971, where they curtailed planned attacks from not only Pakistan but China as well by blocking the air space as the plan of west Pakistan wants to send artillery to east Pakistan so that they can weaken the north east hold of India. The creative ways in which the intellgence beurau dupe the threats of their enemies by executing a fake hijacking situation so that it can be declared as an act of war and then legally they can block the air space, led of course by Dev Jammwal played by Vidyut forms the basic storyline of IB 71. That was anything but basic in this complicated mission at hand but I tried my best to summarise it the best I could! Here’s me telling you the good and bad aspects of the film so that you guys can ultimately decide whether to watch IB 71 in theatres or not! Devoid Of Thrill Or Emotional Fervour: There are many examples of espionage thrillers that have not only engaged us emotionally but has generated a nationalistic sentiment within us. When I think of the films that utilise an understated approach which is diametrically opposite to the massy YRF spy universe, I think of films like Raazi and Baby and when I think about the best film that focusses on a mission overseas led by one man, I think of Airlift. These films shook us on the possibility that one could get caught, presented action set pieces that engaged us, had moments of dialoguebaazi where one could hoot and cheer too and eventually transcended to be about that unified love that one has for their nation. Sadly IB 71 is devoid of not only thrill but emotional fervour as well, it all has to do with the mundane storytelling of the film. The screenplay written by a team of 6 people just seems to jump from one newspaper cutting to the other, lacking any form of life or depth that makes you immediately text your friend and recommend it to them. The catalyst to motivate audiences as someone wisely said is great content not good and one cannot just defend a film that does not rile up any distinct emotion and feeling! The Impact Of Real Locations & Transportation To The 70s: One of the biggest gripes that I have with the advancement of technology and the dependence that creators have on studio produced backdrops is that one never feels like that they have been transported to real locations. This takes away from the immersive experience, especially when films are aimed at highlighting a specific period of time in indian history. IB 71 thankfully strays away from the tropes that exist today and several of its set pieces are shot in real locations, the ones that especially stand out is the intel acquired on the streets of Kashmir and the action sequence on the shikara in Dull Lake. This is one of the main reasons why I had fallen in love with Vidyut’s Khudaa Haafiz 2 as well because of the choreography that was set in the narrow lanes of UP, really extracted such visceral and impactful moments. What becomes essential even for a film like this set in the 70s is that the characters look, feel and act the part of the era and I have to say that the costume and art department has got everything on lock, the styling of the characters by Divya Gambhir and the technology utilised by the agencies in order to extract information to even the arsenal utilised by the agents, its so reflective of the 70s that it gave me slight glimpses of the man from uncle with Henry Cavill. Dialogues & Laughable Portrayal Of Pakistani Officials & Agents: The very first frame that presents a Pakistani official, it presents them snoring while receiving a very important package, I know instantly the ride we will be on where the Pakistani intelligence agents and police force are just going to be a bunch of laughable dim witted stereotypes and nothing else. Vidyut becomes familiar with a Pakistani soldier seeing him sing a song of ASHA BHOSLE, telling him if he has love for ASHA AND LATA, how will he develop hatred for Indira. The URDU dialogues reach a point of overkill where the JANAABS AND TASHREEFS just dont end, like sitting in a mehfil rather than a covert mission. After being told that the mission is too risky, Vidyut in order to get his mission green lit sights Ramayan and MAHRANA PRATAP against the Mughals as great examples of belief and the mission instantly gets approved. I felt for an actor like Vishal Jethwa who plays an emotionally charged and straight up dumb extremist willing to fight for the cause but not having any plan in his head. His hijacking sequence and how ultimately they develop the character becomes unintentionally funny as he is simply naive and heckled at by officials on both sides. The indian intelligence agents do a better job at mimicry than PEHCHAN KAUN from the great indian laughter challenge and this context can only be understood when you see the film! A dialogue that ends by saying HUM UNHE NANGA KARENGE, is followed by agents changing their clothes to pose as Pakistani agents, its on the nose and becomes laughable to say the least. The Vidyut Jammwal Led Movie Problems: What is a consistent trait that happens with especially Vidyut Jammwal led films is that it boasts of exceptional set pieces and moments, it also builds up beautifully for the second half but it always seems to crumble from a screenplay perspective! This has happened in jungle with unintentionally funny foreign villains, this has happened in commando 3 with the over the top nationalistic fervour that seemed forced, this has happened with Khurda Haafiz 2 where the film for no reason shifts to Egypt but the best part about IB 71 and what is its weakest quality also its 1 hour and 57 minute running time barely has anytime for immersive storytelling. Sankalp Reddy as a storyteller where the mission at hand has so many moving elements, that the core focus almost on auto pilot mode just focusses on the beats to be followed on the mission. The intellectual capability and personality of Jammwal is never explored, an emotional connection with the mission at hand is never felt and one just feels this is not a commercial espionage thriller like RAAZI or AIRLIFT that gave us both thrilling edge of the seat moments as well as nationalistic pride but this more or less joins the category of mission Manju and bellbottom where one gets a glimpse of what agents pulled off but nothing more, joining the status of becoming films that will be forgotten very soon! Vidyut doesn’t falter in the performance but its the writing that really lets him down, making him come across like any other agent rather than a person we can emotionally root for! Vidyut’s actions are more of wits than his physical prowess but even when hand to hand combat commences in this film, its poorly choreographed and executed. Marred with jump cuts even a corridor sequence that had so much potential, only being lit with torchlights is just presented with random blows that offer nothing from an action stand point! Vidyut’s Vision & What He needs To Change: There is a silent movement that picked up a few years ago and is going in full swing recently and it is the case of actors in the hindi film industry turning producers, to not only give opportunities to real talent but to tell interesting and unique stories. Anushka Sharma has done it ever since NH 10, Priyanka Chopra with a sky is pink, alia Bhatt with darlings, Taapsee pannu with her outsiders studio, Kangana Ranaut with emergency and her digital releases, all the actors are trying to establish their own hermit kingdoms in an industry which was ruled mainly by dynasty families and Vidyut also joins the party with this film being his maiden production and I feel like it is really admirable and encouraging as a film viewer to see actors put their money with their mouth is and attempt to back interesting and compelling stories. While iB 71 I think is a real misfire in attracting audiences because of its mundane storytelling, I hope Vidyut does not create an echo chamber where he forgets to collaborate with other companies as well because while I root for him as a leading hero, it is in the collaborative processes with other talents, that he will really thrive! IB 71 is history repeating itself with Vidyut films, The effort is always there but the writing always falters