A thrilling tale of an Indian intelligence covert operation inside the arch enemy’s territory in 1970-71.
Rating: 3 / 5
By Mayur Lookhar
Snatching victory from the jaws of defeat. It’s a popular phrase largely used in sports commentary. How would one react if getting into the jaws of the enemy was pretty much the principal plan? Writer-director Sankalp [minus Reddy] brings a true tale of an Indian intelligence covert operation inside Pakistan in 1971.
The outrageous plot reflects the sheer audacity of Intelligence Bureau officers who conceived this idea. After gaining credible information of Pakistan and even China likely to launch air strikes in Bengal and the North East, respectively, Indian intelligence wings have just ten days to foil their plans.
IB Agent Dev [Vidyut Jammwal] comes up with a bizarre plan. “You think Pakistanis are fools that they will allow such a thing to happen?” IB chief Awasthi [Anupam Kher] is first to downplay Dev’s idea. Though reluctant, he makes an initial approach to his political masters, but it’s shot down immediately. Desperate times call for desperate measures. As the fear of a two-fold aerial attack looms large, the Home Ministry eventually agrees to the ridiculous idea. It’s best that the viewers themselves decipher the plan and the rationale behind it. Let’s just the chances of it failing are much more than success. In the advent of its failure, there’ll be serious repercussions both domestically and internationally.
The Ghazi Attack [2017] writer-director Sankalp churns out another gripping film. Though IB here refers to Intelligence Bureau, the nature of the Indian plot is such that it would be befitting to label the IB as Inside Bakistan. Kindly note, Arabic language has no p. Urdu-Punjabi speaking Pakistan aspires to be the Riyat-e-Medina of the sub-continent. So, in Arabic, Pakistan would be pronounced as Bakistan.
A humble viewer is intrigued by the Indian plot. The first hour is spent in understanding of the tense situation, ideating, planning, clearing the decks for the ridiculous operation. For an action thriller, the early part feels a little tedious. Pin that on two amateurish Kashmiri extremists – Qasim Qureshi [Vishal Jethwa] and his cousin Ashfaq [Faizan Khan]. The former began as an extremist before joining the police force as an informer. That though is part of Qureshi’s larger plot to seek the release of fellow Kashmiri militants.
The Qureshi cousins really seemed misfit for the part. As the plot thickens, you realize the true worth of these amateur extremists. From being the weak links, the actions, conduct of Qasim and Ashfaq eventually amuses us Indians. Dev cleverly uses the black sheep to achieve the impossible.
The first half feels stretched but the film picks up momentum after the interval and there’s no stopping IB71 once the Indian civilian plane is hijacked by the Qureshi cousins. The thrill is often accompanied by the tension that the master Indian plan could go up in smoke in a moment. Credit to writer-director Sankalp for creating this atmosphere that keeps the viewers on the edge of their seats.
All through its 119 minutes, it is Vidyut Jammwal who stands head and shoulders above everyone. His action skills are second to none. Jammwal’s critics have often called him out for his acting skills. There’s a new resolve, stillness to Jammwal here. The action hero does pack a punch, but you like this calm, composed Jammwal. Though a big call, but this is perhaps the coming of age of Vidyut Jammwal, the actor. Maybe being a first-time producer also pushed him to raise the bar.
Ashwath Bhatt has become the resident Pakistani villain in Indian spy, action thrillers. Afsal Aga’s [Bhatt] early impression is that of a shrewd Pakistani agent who Dev and India must fear. Once the Indian plan takes shape, the confidence then gives way to a nervy Aga. Watching a Pakistani officer get trolled in one telephone call after another is a treat for the Indian masses. As usual, Bhatt is impressive in these Pakistani characters.
IB71 has no certified female protagonist, but Niharica Raizada makes an impression as the Indian agent masquerading as an air hostess. She barely speaks, but emotes through her body language.
Jammwal, Bhatt, and Raizada perform well, but the rest are below par. Dalip Tahil is shocking as the then Pak PM Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. On the Indian side, it is surprising to not see any visual representation of then PM Indira Gandhi. The minister here who calls the shots appears to be the then Home Minister Yashwant Rao Chavan. Some may sense hanky punky in ignoring Indira Gandhi, but audiences have seen plenty of representations of the iconic PM before.
Though based on true events, it’s impossible to imagine such stories without their creative liberties. The pre-finale action in the Pakistani hotel, and Indians passengers/agents managing to keep it under wraps for the night is perhaps the stuff of legends. However, every great story has its leap of faith moment.
Fine story, neat screenplay, few good performances, IB71 is also backed by a thrilling background score, and fairly efficient production design.
It will be unfair to draw parallels with Ben Affleck’s Argo [2012]. That is disrespectful to the unsung heroes of IB71. Action hero Vidyut Jammwal’s Action Hero Films is off to a thrilling start.
