1971 - Must be tax exempted!
Cinema they say is more than mere entertainment, Amrit Sagar's
1971 concretes this belief as the movie besides entertaining
tackles the heart rendering subject of Indian prisoners of
war (POWs) in Pakistani jail, who decide to make an escape
to reach the Indian border and that forms a thrilling and
emotional adventure of gallantry and patriotism ever witnessed
on Indian screen. The high point of the movie is that though
the movie looks like a war movie yet, astoundingly, it stands
apart from the run of the mill Indo-Pak war movies. The director,
Amrit Sagar, who is the grand son of the legendary film maker
Ramanad Sagar, who gave us patriotic movies like Ankhen and
Lalkaar, proves he has inherited the magic that his grandpa
possess. What makes this debutant director exceptional is
the novel theme which amazingly no film maker dared to touch
in 36 long years. He truly deserves kudos for bringing to
light the pathetic plight of POWs that has been buried in
the annals of history. Without doubt the movie is a complete
eye-opener for all those who are clueless about the Indian
POWs who are languishing in the dingy cells of Multan Jail
in Pakistan. The director has done elaborate research as he
depicts news clippings, names and photographs of 54 Indian
POWs who are
still lingering in Pak jails and yearning their motherland
India.
The movie comes to life after the interval with its wild
chasing that leave you stunned and speechless. The suicidal
scene of Ravi Kishen when he shoots himself out of unbearable
pain comes as surprise. Also the climax scene when Manoj Bajpai
cries for help close to the Indian border brings tears to
heart of even a stone hearted man. Performance wise Manoj
Bajpai's delivers his second best performance after Satya
but the actor who steels the show is Kumud Mishra, (Captain
Kabir), a new comer who is absolute splendid. Ravi Kishen,
the Bhojpuri film superstar, too comes up with a performance
that can surely bring back his
glorious Bollywood days that he enjoyed in mid 90 when he
made his debut in Bollywood! Another striking feature of casting
is that selection of actors
particularly the one selected to play Pakistani characters
as they precisely look Pakistani!
Akash Sagar's exceptional background score keeps viewers
to edge of their seats. Chittranjan Das's camera work is excellent
so are the reflective dialogues of Piyush Mishra.
B4U spoke to Mumbaikars
about the movie:
Mr. Denish Kapadiya, 45, an account consultant, grief's,
"Overall, the movie is mind boggling. It touches you
to the core. But the million dollar question is will the director's
effort to present a story that had been hidden from the nation,
reach the masses. I think the movie ought to be made Tax-
Free, if its message has to be spread."
Mrs. Chavan, 40, whose husband expired in 1971 war has tears
in her eyes as she asks a vital question "Why did it
took so long to make this movie. 36 years
have past but still it is not too late. Come; let's come together
and force upon Pakistan to release the remaining 54 POWs,
only then the movie's purpose will be solved."
Monty, 21, a business executive was impressed by the movie
and said, "The hilly landscape with snow-capped mountains
are eye catching. The action scenes are superlative particularly
the scene where a wounded Captain Kabir [Kumud Mishra], reverses
his jeep and attacks the Pakistani Military commander Shaiyaar
Khan. The movie is complete treat for all moviegoers."
Sunita Choudhari, 23, a software engineer, said, "The
character of Subedar Ahmed [Chitaranjan Giri], not only gives
a secular tinge to the movie but his sacrificial scene is
perhaps most moving scene in the movie."
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