1971 – Among the best of the year
1971 – Among the best of the year
Before I start the writing a review of 1971 I have a Question to ask.
Why do genuinely well made films like Black Friday and 1971 get less marketing/media publicity as compared inferior (In My Humble Opinion) films like Guru, Dhoom2, Salam-e-ishq, Honeymoon Travels,Eklavya ???
Is it due to the lack of stars ??? or perhaps the budget, since the producers of such films have only that much budget that the amount they spend on the media-marketing of such films is not even perhaps a tenth of the big banner films.
The intention is to lament the possible lack of awareness among the mass public wrt the two films I mentioned particularly to 1971. Heck even a Vikram Bhatt turkey Red gets more coverage across the channels, thanks to the steamy kiss between Celina and Aftab (and with a story that seems by the way, a shade of 21 Grams) and Himesh Reshammiya’s Nasal diahrohhea ????
IMHO there are two reasons why a 1971 should’ve got more publicity than it got
1. It’s a war/escape film showcasing the plight of POWs in Pakistan,and their escape from the camps. And all said and done, as much as we are cynical about the Indian government, the armed services is one place where every citizen would be proud to be.
2. It is a well made film. Period
Go check out more info at http://www.1971thefilm.com/
The film is about the Indian POWs of 1971 Indo-Pak war in pakistani camps, who are there despite 6 years hence the war. Pakistan is under the military rule of Gen Zia-UlHaq.
Thankfully, a lot of Indo-Pak history is not needed to understand the film.
The following are the 6 POWs who decide to make an escape from the Pakistani military camps, where they’ve been confined for no reason whatsoever –
Manoj Bajpai – Major suraj singh
Ravi kishan – Captain Jacob
Chitranjan Giri – Subedaar Ahmed
Kumud mishra – Captain kabir
Manav Kaul – Flight Lt Ram
Deepak Dobriyal – FlightLt Gurtu
and 50 odd other POWs. Their struggles (the six of them), the obstacles they face, Pak Military, Red Cross, Human Rights group, Political Scenario, grave situations in the camp, the chase, action sequences, is what the film takes us through.
Cinematography is super !! Especially the picturesque snow capped peaks where the climax is shot and the hills (i believe they shot Manali for Pak) is a visual treat for sure.
Background music is moving, and the usage of violins enhances the poignancy, although I strongly suspect perhaps it is minimalistic due to the obviously low budget of the movie.
The two songs also do not hinder the flow and are used appropriately. Special mention to the Bhangra-ish number in the camp,which has been composed with even lesser instruments than thos used in “Chappa-Chappa” number in Maachis.
The dialogues, screenplay is commendable. Nowhere does the film drag and loose its grip on the viewer. Nowhere is the average audience goer is overburdened with abundance of information (unlike perhaps Black Friday). The usage of cliches like “Inshallah – Khuda – Jehaad- Janaab” etc etc which you normally associate with the Pakistanis is refreshingly avoided. For a change watching the Pakistanis interact with one another and the POWs is intresting and engrossing. Kudos to the screenplay-dialogue writer Piyush Mishra.
However, one wishes a little more about Captain Jacob’s character could’ve been revealed. He doesn’t look like an average Catholic Malayali, that he is in the film.
There are quite a few memorable scenes in the film that stay with you once the film is over. The last 10-15 mins of the film are the best IMHO. I wouldn’t like to reveal more for the fear of spoilers.
Performances by Kumud Mishra, Major Sharyar Khan-the villan (who played Tawade in Maqbool), the Human Rights woman, Chitranjan Giri, Manav Kaul, and other actors are adequate, real and believable. Bhojpuri Star Ravi Kishen doen’t open his mouth that much, but I’d like to see him more in Hindi films. He seems to be a good actor.
Deepak Dobriyal is the real hero for me. IMHO he’s done to Manoj what ironically, Manoj did to Chakravarthy a few years ago in a film called Satya. Deepak proves that Omkara’s Rajju was no flash in the pan. He’s done a fantabolous job. Whether it is the comic relief he provides along with Manav Kaul, or the scenes in which he cries, he literally overshadows others. Someone please give him lots of meaty roles in hindi films.
There are two major negative performances… and sadly, they are from people whom I and majority have admired.
1. Manoj Bajpai - I’m not saying he’s wooden. But unfortunatle he frowns more in the film than perhaps Ajay Devgan did in Omkara. Even the scens where he cries, he leaves a lot to be desired. At times he looks over the top, and at times he looks unconvincing and too dramatic. He’s supposed to be the her of the film, but u get a feeling he could’ve done so much better. Whatever happened to the man from Satya and Shool ??? Even Road was better in terms of performance !!!
2. Piyush Mishra- It breaks my heart but he has repeated his trademark dialogue delivery style that he had shown in Dil Se. In fact it was even better off in that.I had a strong feeling in the scene where Piyush meets Sharyar khan in the cabin, smoking a ciggerette, that he’s just walked into the scene drunk !!!
From that scene onwards, it is a downslide in Piyush mishra’s performance. You get a feeling he’s holding himself back. This is somewhat not the Piyush Mishra from Dil Se, Maqbool and Matrubhoomi !! Perhaps the experience of writing and acting in the same film might’ve been too taxing and it shows. His expressions and voice modulation do not match at all. His dialogue style is getting too repitive perhaps. Or may be his signature style (like Irrfan khan, Sanjiv Kumar, Shatrughan Sinha all have a way of delivering the dialogue) doesn’t fit in here. The three actors I just mentioned have never given inconsistent performances. This performance by Piyush Mishra is below the standards set by himself !!!
The end credit song by Shibani Kashyap set to Piano-violin almost brought tears to my eyes. I could hear an appluase from a section of the audience once the film ended. The audience waited till the very last photo of the POWs was being shown (watch the film to know what I’m talking about).
8/10 for me. Better performances from Manoj and Piyush couldve made it 9/10 for me. Arguably amongst the top 3 best of the hindi films uptill now (one being Black friday for me). Haven’t seen Water/Namesake yet so can’t comment.
Watch 1971 if you are an Indian.
Watch it twice if you are from the Armed forces, the Indian Government/Politics or Bueracracy !!!
Anurag Kashyap
Abhay Deol
Dibakar Banerjee
Hansal Mehta
Khalid Mohamed
Kundan Shah
Anish Kuruvilla
Jaideep Verma
Manish Gupta
Navdeep Singh
Bhavani Iyer
D. Santosh
Onir
Ashvin Kumar
Ramu Ramanathan
Sudhir Mishra
Pankaj Advani
Revathy
Saurabh Shukla
Shilpa Shukla
Sujoy Ghosh
Suparn Verma
Santosh Sivan
Shashank Ghosh
Shivajee
Pavan Kaul
Partho Sen-Gupta
Prroshant Naryannan
Sam Langoria
Satish Kasetty
Thanks for that Karthik…
You have no idea how badly I want to see this film.
But asusual, it’s not found its way to cinema’s here in the U.K!
Regarding ‘marketing/media publicity’?
Well I believe that the day films like this (although I haven’t seen it yet) get the amount of coverage they deserve, people will then have the ‘option’ to go and choose what they want to see, and not be left with only a handful of commercial films to choose from.
Although, I have to disagree with you on ‘Honeymoon Travels’ as that’s the kind of film which needs publicity to bring in the crowds, and I really enjoyed it…TWICE!!
Welcome Steve :-)
I know thats sad … it will not get released there perhaps on theater. U may have to wait for DVD.
Respect ur disgreement Steve Regarding Honeymoon :-)
As long as 1971 also gets the same kind of publicity it deserves ..or what other films got.
Nevertheless, its ok with me as long as every one watches 1971 at least once :d
Lucky you Kartik…I will just have to be content with buying the dvd whenever it releases here in UK…And I think this movie will do good business…based on simple word of mouth…looking at the good reviews everywhere…I do hope it does well…
kk, ur opinions sound like anurag…saale copycat khud ka to thoda dhimag laga..sab tera AK jaisa hi sound hota hai…haha ha
thanks for the review bro.I have to watch in DVD probably
awaiting a dvd copy before any comments can be made.
wow!!simply loved it!! dont miss it! agree with KK completly. loved it more bcz a new director is making his debut with a new story. not like evryone else n all that pyaar-ishq-mohabbat!! i felt manoj was also good. And the best part he gave space to other guys to perform also. not many big stars r comfortable with that.
KK,agree about piyush mishra ya. But for him…sau khoon maaf. m big fan of his!! After all screenplay n dialgues r by him only. Bollywood guys wake up n plz use the talent pool called piyush mishra.wish he was asked to write the lyrics also…that wud hav been superb. the two songs in the film r not that gr8.
just few days ago, had written a post on piyush…that m looking forwrad to his work in aaja nachale. but he delivered before that as well. congrats team 1971!!! f u guys r reading this.
here’s the one on piyush…
http://pratibimbnotes.wordpress.com/2007/02/23/looking-forward-to/
yeah phonix … Piyush mishra key liye Sau khoon maaf … :-)
just like Guru for Mani Saar
I read the rediff review (the article points to) a year ago, when I was in Maqbool Hangover. Too good
abe kk, tu toh bol hi mat…ur opinions are fabricated n baised…apni akal lagana shuru kar ..jaldi
akki – I accept I have no apni akal … All my opinions are fabricated and biased.
Please refrain from reading my posts/comments if they are so unoriginal/boring/fabricated/biased.
moreover akki, refrain from making senseless comments and wasting valuable PFC space by attacking kk (or others). if you have a personal agenda, take it elsewhere. don’t bring it to PFC.
there is no personal agenda striker…see i know KK has felt bad of what i percieve of him…but the truth of the matter is he has a hangover of AK…i have been a regular reader of PFC..n i loved wat KK wrote prior to his haging out wit AK..but now he is saying AK’s zubani…i want bak the original KK..n KK i love u man..dont feel bad..get me the old KK
[admin note: comment deleted... abusive statement]
Kartik Bhaiya: you write , “Manoj Bajpai – I
KK
and how many times do i watch it if I am a fauji beti?
I hope the film is well made most FAUJI films are so unreal ………
Will let you know how good it was after watching the film , and asking Pa about it, he fought the ‘71 war.
K3
Waiting for the DVD…dont think it will release here rei.
Not expecting a lot from Manoj bajpai these days..has disappointed more than not in recent films….
Yeah, its not out in Vancouver either. Which sucks, because from the trailors it looks like the kind of film that’s really worth watching on the big screen.
Om, must disagree with you on the Manoj Bajpai front.
I personally believe that once an actor, any actor, shows that he has the potential in him to delivery a solid performance (And obviously Mr. Bajpai went beyond in Satya, Dil Pe Mat Le Yaar, Pinjar among others) then its up to the director to draw on that resevoir and get the desired results.
Manoj Bajpai today is unfortunately as underrated as Arshad Warsi was before Munnabhai happened.
But I’m optimisitc enough to believe that the times are changing and good actors, capabale of great performances, are being valued more and more.
RK –
Next time i meet VB, I will ask RK :-)
The review is as honest as it gets RK. The film is very good.. but piyush mishra and manoj couldve done a better job.
I loved the film and wanted all my friends/PFC followers to see the film. At the same time, had I not told about uneven performnces by both, you (im sure) would have come back after seeing the film and said “I didn’t like Manoj/Piyush”
No RK, I havent seen LOC, and the idea was that 1971 is a genuinely good movie about the plight of POWs that i feel everyone should see, more so because it is a first attempt and a non starrer/without publicity.
LOC I’ve been told was too gimicky and i general not a great film.
How can u possibly compare the two of them ???
“Watch 1971 if you are an Indian” was not intended to be a VHP/JP Dutta statement.
It was meant as a request/friendly urge like “Watch Sholay if u love Spaghetti westerns” or “Watch New Delhi Times If you love politics”.
Seriously dude, Where did u get that impression ??????
And Yes Manoj does deserve kudos for having had the guts to sign ahead with this film with all non-starrers.
KKK –
good one KKK. I think ur dad should see it too. perhaps we can get to know how authentic the film is.
Pls do watch it :-)
Shit maan. The other day OM/Striker was telling me that 1971 has not released there, but “Nehley Pe Dehlay” was showing at the desi theater !!!
Tony -
I agree to that statement too. May be the director was busy foccusing on getting performances from others so much that perhaps he couldnt extract good performances from Manoj.
Rhythm Kartikeya, rhythm was the reason behind the impression.:)
Manoj is the best actor India have. he is like Al Pachino of Bollywood. u guys just say as like u r expert in acting that he dissapointed…go and watch it again..it is gr8 for actor like him to give space to other upcoming actors..It is only because of him I watched the movie..
@ Raj “Manoj is the best actor India have. he is like Al Pachino of Bollywood”
:d/:d/:)>-
I thought the same when i saw Satya, and then i saw his other movies…..Zubeida, and that Shetty Sister flick …now bolo…:-w
“Manoj is the best actor India have. he is like Al Pachino of Bollywood. u guys just say as like u r expert in acting that he dissapointed
// Thilak
haha WB, I know. You don’t have to go that far for his crappy roles. Just few years back he did shitty roles in S1mone and probably the worst movie of all time, Gigli ( his fans safely call it a cameo :D). Anyway Al has just lost it IMO notwithstanding those crappy films he does even in his peak. And I was just speculating about what people expect from Al’s performance. We don’t expect him to stay subdued or even worse, sleepwalk in his movies. [-(
But He infact played a role where he HAD to sleepwalk! I am talking about Insomnia and the role itself required him to do that, the entire 2nd half..:p The movie being a complete crapfest is another story and surprise surprise..it was made by Christopher Nolan.
Anyway, Manoj bajpai is not even close to what Al pacino ‘was’!
@WB
I know. You don’t have to go that far for his crappy roles. Just few years back he did shitty roles in S1mone and probably the worst movie of all time, Gigli (his fans safely call it a ‘cameo’) :d
Anyway Al has just lost it these days notwithstanding those crappy films he did even in his peak. And I was just speculating about what people expect from Al’s performance. We don’t expect him to stay subdued or maybe even worse, sleepwalk in his movies. [-(
He infact played a role where he HAD to sleepwalk! I am talking about Insomnia and the role itself required that, atleast for the entire 2nd half :p The movie being a complete crapfest is another story and surprise surprise it was made by Christopher Nolan.
Anyway, Manoj bajpai is not even close to what Al pacino ‘was’! Thats what I think. I haven’t seen shool yet.. Bhiku Mhatre is probably the best I’ve seen of him and that alone isn’t enough to call him Al of bollywood, who could you call then? IMO no one can be called as ‘Al pacino of bollywood’. Hollywood and Bollywood (wtf they even aped the name? ) are both different.
Hmm… may be I misunderstood. If the issue is about a *good* actor not being able to deliver – by fading out or otherwise – then, what I’ve said still holds good. If the issue is with comparing MB to AP then it’s a case of apples to oranges. No way. As OM said, Zubieda and Fareb (the shetty sister flick) sealed Manoj’s fate re him plying his trade and the folks buying it. Not questioning his caliber – we know he can deliver – it’s just his role selection.
A confession and a flame: I have watched Insomnia (both the versions) and liked Al. I think AB could have been Al Pacino of Bollywood had he been more choosy with his roles and career on the whole. (and a tangent: hate the word bollywood, but i still use it for the same obvious reasons)
Its a very interesting discussion…. comparing Manoj Bajpai to Al Pacino. I think its pretty fair. Both can do very intense roles very easily. Its hard to imagine them in soft romantic roles. Both have tried it & we kinda liked them but we can’t like them if they do that regularly.
Both overact & ham if they are in the hands of a director who is not sensitive( Al in SCENT OF A WOMAN & MANOJ in quite a few B movies).
Al has not done a single interesting role in last 10 years. Infact I dont wanna see a film just ’cause Al Pacino is in it. Same for Robert D Niro…That dude even started directing …. God save us from such EGOS!!!
That way I have a lot of respect for Manoj ,cause I don’t think he has enough power to chose the right kinda roles …if there is any at all anyways…. The dude is doing his best in the circumstances he is in.
Al & BOB have no such excuses.
Al and bob got to learn a lot about role selection from Jack nicholson or Anthony hopkins or Peter O’toole or henry fonda (used to). I would love to see Bob do a role like brando did late in his career like Col.Kurtz! waiting for that day!
Infact actors like Mel, Clint and even deniro (even though The good shepherd is a borefest, it had a different vision) are good filmmakers….Even actors in past like Kevin costner with ‘dances with wolves’, Billy bob thorton with ’sling blade’ or even tommy lee jones with ‘three burials of Melquade Estrada’, tim robbins with ‘dead man walkin’, sean penn with massively underrated ‘The pledge’ and few other actors have come up with decent movies..Its not out of Ego but because they are interested!
anyone see that new trailer for ocean’s 13? not that i saw 12, but just seeing al mouth his lines in the beginning of the trailer and looking like he’s gotten plastic surgery done to his face is reason enough to keep me away from that one..! is al starting to get sucked into the big B syndrome..? i sincerely hope not.
@Striker
Now Al fans will argue that its another cameo!:d:d:d:d:d:d
thilak, then al fans will have to agree that he needs to seriously stop doing such cameos
wb, funny you mentioned dick tracy.. i just watched that and scarface (finally!) last week.. i rather enjoyed him as big boy caprice.. i think it was just a refreshing change to see him not do his typical loud-mouthed pacino stuff
@Striker,
I couldn’t man..I just couldn’t get myself to enjoy Dick tracy, it was a cheesefest! I never knew it was adapted from comic strips, even if it was..It was too silly and Al’s performance was over-the-top even though it wasn’t intense-swearing-spree which he is good at!
thilak, i didn’t enjoy the movie too much either.. i rented it for al, and i only enjoyed his performance as something “hatke”.. so mera paisa vasool ho gaya :D
I dono how many of yall saw “King of comedy” its a nice comedy from Martin scorsese. Guys Jack, Brando and Peter o toole are one level ahead of Al and Bob. They have been acting from 50’s and 60 where are al and Bob have started in late 60’s and early 70’s so It might be another 10year b4 these are in top league with them.
@Striker
:d
@Varun,
yeah it was pretty good. Rupert pupkin is one of Deniro’s better selections, hell yeah..its Scorsese movie right! it had to be good! Few one-liners and Deniro’s stand-up in the end just proves he could do comedy. But thats the only movie where he did a ‘comical role’. His other comedies like Wag the dog or Midnight run had him playing not-so-comical role..Which actually suits him better.. I didn’t mention his recent roles like in Meet the fuckers! :D or that double-crap with Billy Crystal (another overrated comedian)..God! Deniro just lost it..
sorry to digress, is it allowed?
Got to watch 1971! :-?
thilak – amen. as long as you promise to watch 1971, detours are okay i reckon.
striker – re al in dick tracy… my feelings, exactly.
Just saw 1971 on DVD.
Brilliant Film.
One of those films which makes you think about the stories that you are writing and realise how insignificant and inconsequential your stories are…
Yeah I saw 1971 over the weekend as well… It was gripping, thrilling… the climax may not exactly be “shocking” but definately had solid impact… what a eerie visual that was…
I have to disagree with KK and anyone else who thought Manoj Bajpai wasn’t that great in this film. I thought he was awesome… he had that fire in him and it was contagious… his character was a difficult one as he had to be the one forcing the others to keep going under the most difficult circumstances, while showing subtle signs that he was indeed affected by what was going on (I’m dying to come out with spoilers but I’ll try to refrain…) But suffice to say I was glad to see that fire in Manoj which has been missing sine “Pinjar”…
Deepak Dobriyal was just amazing! So was Manav Kaul (his comrade in the film). The exchanges between the two in the first half were funny and engaging. Also, in the last scene of the film Deepaks expressions are truly haunting…
Ravi Kissen was good too, though I found a something lacking… charisma? Maybe it was his characterization… not sure what but I felt something off-key there…
Piyush Mishra was good in parts, in other scenes he seemed to be going slightly over the top (”Oh bloody hell, they’re in Muzafarbad, lets move!”) Yeah.
Well written film, and for a first time director well directed. I liked the under-current of tension during the first half and the sense of urgency during the 2nd half… great atmosphere created by Amrit Sagar and to maintain that consistency throughout takes a great deal of effort and attention to detail. Kudos for that!
In an interesting side note, a Pakistani friend of mine (and fellow film buff) watched the film and was “quite impressed”, though when I interrogated him about why those soldiers were being held captive for so long he played innocent and repeated that he didn’t know, he didn’t have any information… hmmm… kabhi to bolega…
I agree Tony that Manoj Bajpai was very good. He was very true to the character he was given to play. Very good performance. I liked Deepak Dobriyal much more here than in Omkara. Manav Kaul was very good too. Loved their first introduction scene and that joke.
I disagree with you about Ravi Kissen. I thought that charisma and firepower was there in his performance. I would have liked to see him in a bigger role though.
Piyush Mishra was satisfactory(did go a bit over the top in a scene or two but was good otherwise). Generally the enemy officers are shown in this typical cliched manner. Here all the three officers were different and well portrayed.
Consistency in tension and urgency was definitely there(easily the strongest point of the film) and to think that this movie was made by a first time director. Anyone would be so proud and satisfied to debut with this movie.
Great work by Amrit Sagar!!
i’m still waiting to see 1971… sighs. :-<
Good news Honhaar and Sangeeta!
The original dvd has been released in the UK so can be viewed as from NOW, lol!
I haven’t had a chance to see it yet….wil do soon.
Atleast its out now…
Saw this yesterday KK’s review is apt, U have to watch the film to understand what u might have missed if u havent seen this one. Its actually very good, agree manoj could have been better but on the whole one of the better cinema of this year.
Hope sagar arts make more sensible pictures like this.
Saw 1971 last night on DVD….Awesome movie….excellent camera work….nah i take it back not excellent…very intelligent camera work…Chitranjan Das knew that they were shooting in Manali area and they will not be able to create a border landscape….so stick to close-ups as much as possible…with little breeze and a little background…except the climax scene near the LOC….wow
KK..the back ground music was just brillinat….If you remember this dialog from Manoj to Deepak ” dont cry..learn to respect martyr’s”…..i think that is what Amrit Sagar set out to do with the back ground music…..the only time the music makes you cry is when the credits starts rolling…and you cry for the incompetence of the governments….
Was watching the making of the DVD….Akash Sagar the music director of the film ( btw he was only 16 when he gave the music)….said that he went on to the set and stole some props like vessels, spoon, tumblers, etc and went to his percussionist and said…we have to use these to create music….hence very minimal music there….wow
Piyush was a ham….mightily disappointed by Piyush’s role…does he even look/behave like a Military man? Geeez….drooping shoulders…bobbing head…sick dialog delivery….
For once after such a long time…i loved Manoj Bajpai in this….maybe coz..all you guys have ripped him here…so was expecting a pathetic performance from him….good job Manoj….yes and the stealer is Deepak Dobriyal….what a performance…simply superb…Special mention to Kumud Mishra as well….check the scene when he gets frost bites….
Three cheers to Amrit Sagar…