I was in school when war between India and Pakistan broke in 1971. In Jodhpur, a hooter used to blow at sunset followed by blackout. Being a child I enjoyed darkness at night; fighter planes used to fill the sky with boom. I realized its ugliness only when an oil depot at the border was bombarded and its flames could be seen from the roof of our home. When India won the war, a new country emerged on the map of south Asia.
People celebrated victory. And, no one cared about those who never came back from the frontiers to their homes. Some perished in the war and some were taken hostage by the Pakistani army. Just one year later, Moti Sagar, son of legendry filmmaker Ramanand Sagar, wrote a story on those Indian soldiers who were held in Pakistan; it was the story of Prisoners of War. He tried to make a film on that but couldn't succeed. Years passed by, Moti's son Amrit went to California to learn filmmaking and when he came back he got this story from his father.
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Any new and young filmmaker would have loved to make a pink romantic film to make debut in cutthroat competitive world of Bollywood. But, Amrit dared think different and by the face value of film '1971', he has emerged victorious in his very first attempt. But before we proceed ahead, there is a statutory warning for all those who judge a film by its entertainment value. This film is going to leave you numb for few moments when you come out of the theater.
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Having celebrated so many national festivals we have almost forgotten about those who risked their lives for these cheerful moments. Not one or two, but 54 families on this side of the border are still waiting for their near and dear ones to come back and wipe out their tears. One of them was Major Suraj Singh (Manoj Bajpai). And one of their Captain Jacob (Ravi Kishan) and there were few more. They were thrown in the dark cells of Pakistani jails post 1971 war.
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They never thought that they would ever get a chance to come out from this jail. Then some international pressure made Pakistani authorities shift them to a nearby camp. The change comes as a surprise for these POWs and improved conditions are a bigger surprise. They rejudge the situation and find that this is their last chance to see life across the border and be back in their homes. They hatch a plan to escape; an escape that will not only risk the life of group leaders but all the 54 in custody.
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'1971' is a film that is full of life. It's not an escapist cinema. David Dhawan will take seven births and still would not be able to make a film like this. Ram Gopal Varma can think of this subject but he is too busy with Lolitas and Gabbars. If Chetan Anand were alive, he could have appreciated this young director. Amrit's grandfather Ramanand Sagar did some kind of efforts in his films like 'Aankhen' and 'Lalkaar'. But because of '1971', Amrit stands out for his sheer commitment to the subject and not falling prey to gimmicks of Hindi Cinema. He does not need a heroine or an item number to promote his film. He sells his film for its subject. And mind you, you won't feel let down after watching this film. These days when projects are made instead of cinema, Amrit's efforts make him stand out as the director of tomorrow.
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The rough locales of Himachal Pradesh give the film very rustic but real feel and not many may be aware that this film was shot in some most inhumane conditions; temperature dipping some time well below freezing point and still the cast and crew staying in tents for many days. They have to actually trek to reach locations. . Manoj and Ravi Kishan have marveled in the film. Manoj after along since 'Satya' and 'Shool' gets a role that he can bank upon.
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If he markets himself well, '1971' can prove a turning point in his career. Ravi Kishan had once said that he did '1971' for cherishing its memory in his old age. I am sure Kumud Mishra, Deepak Dobariyal and Manav Kaul too would have thought the same way. In '1971' these actors change themselves drastically to play these characters. You can feel thier pain because they present their characters so well on the screen.
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In every attempt to escape from across the border, your heart beats for them. Well done, Amrit! But without the support of cinematographer Chirantan Das and action co-coordinator Sham Kaushal, his fete could not have been completed. Both of them have done their best to make '1971' a memorable film. Even Akash Sagar composes very good background score that helps in lifting the mood. '1971' is a must watch for lovers of good cinema, and without your support efforts like this will never succeed. Jai Hind!
