Filmy Gallery

*IB 71* (2023), directed by Sankalp Reddy, is a spy thriller set during the 1971 India-Pakistan war. The plot revolves around India's Intelligence Bureau (IB) Chief N.S. Awasthi (Anupam Kher) and his trusted agent Dev (Vidyut Jammwal) as they discover Pakistan’s secret plan to launch a third war, this time with Chinese support. To prevent this, they hatch a daring plan involving a hijacking, aimed at provoking international action against Pakistan by making it appear as a state sponsor of terrorism. Dev, along with 30 other agents, manipulates Kashmiri radicals into hijacking an Indian airliner, with the aim of forcing Pakistan to act in a way that justifies India denying Pakistani planes access to its airspace.

While the premise is promising, the execution of *IB 71* falls short. The screenplay feels disjointed, with some elements unintentionally humorous. A few scenes, such as a terrorist demanding the pilot land the plane "on his head," and the use of a toy store gun in a hijacking, feel more comical than serious. Additionally, certain plot choices, like the Pakistani intelligence officer traveling by car instead of using communication channels to stop the Indian agents, make the narrative feel contrived.

Vidyut Jammwal, known for his action roles, is cast here in a more dramatic part, which doesn't fully play to his strengths. Though he does get a couple of action sequences, such as a well-executed chase at Dal Lake, his role demands more dramatic acting, which feels out of place for him. The film could have been more thrilling if his action persona had been better incorporated.

On the positive side, the cinematography, particularly of the Kashmir portions, is stunning. The landscapes are shot beautifully, capturing the serene beauty of the region. The editing is tight, and the film’s pacing is brisk, with a runtime just under two hours, which makes it an easy watch. There are no songs or unnecessary romantic subplots, keeping the focus on the espionage elements.

Ultimately, *IB 71* has a strong foundation but fails to capitalize on its potential. The lack of sustained action, a muddled script, and underutilization of Vidyut Jammwal as an action star make it feel like a missed opportunity. With better execution, this could have been a gripping spy thriller, but in its current form, it falls short of expectations.