Ikkis and 45: a tale of two contrasting cinematic experiences

TWO movies which released simultaneously in South Africa during the holiday season were vastly different at opposing ends of the rating spectrum.

One was Ikkis (rated 8/10) and the other 45 (rated 4/10).

Both films are still showing on the local circuit.

Ikkis is a refreshing take by director Sriram Raghavanon of what has become a popular theme in Indian cinema – the portrayal of neighbouring Pakistan being the source of all terrorism and Indian security and intelligence always triumphing over them.

By contrast, while still using this theme, Ikkis tells a poignant tale of the futility of war, especially in a powerful closing monologue by veteran actor Dharmendra as Indian Brigadier ML Khetarpal in his last screen role. He passed on just weeks before the film’s release.

Both Dharmendra, Agastya Nanda, playing his soldier son Arun, and Jaideep Ahlawat, as Pakistani Brigadier Jaan Mohammad Nisar, put in superb performances in a movie that does have war scenes, but not in excess, concentrating rather on the human emotions that accompany warfare and its resultant tragedies.

The real-life Arun Khetarpal became the youngest recipient of India’s highest military honour, the Param Vir Chakra, for his patriotism during the 1971 India-Pakistan war over Bangladesh’s independence.

The plot switches repeatedly between Arun’s determination in the war alongside his fellow soldiers against great odds and the return of his father to the scene decades later during a reunion to retrace the final steps of his only son.

Pakistani Brigadier Khwaja Mohammed Naseer (Jaideep Ahlawat) and his family host his counterpart from India, but Naseer harbours a dark secret as he assists in finding the spot where Arun died in battle. The resultant emotional trauma on either side makes for good viewing.

On the other hand, 45, like many films where the director takes on multiple roles, is clearly an ego trip for music director Arjun Janya, who makes his film directorial debut for his own story.

He indulges his own fantasies in his attempt to make a different kind of film that involves mythology, religion, gangsterism, romance and comedy that ends up as a trying mishmash for the audience despite engaging the services of top South Indian actors Shiva Rajkumar, Upendra, and Raj B Shetty.

Billed as including visual effects by an Oscar-winning team from Hollywood, these are all as loud as the overwhelming background score and, in some cases, totally away from the plot, which starts with Vinay (Raj B Shetty), a software engineer in his late 20s, killing a dog named Rosie with his bike on his way to work. It sets off a series of nightmares and real-life terrible experiences for him, as Rosie was regarded by callous gangster Rayappa (Upendra) as his mother.

Rayappa gives his victims 45 days before he kills them, hence the title.

As Vinay tries to address the situation, he loses his girlfriend, encounters demons and gets assistance from Shivanna (Shiva Rajkumar), who declares in the climax that he is a reincarnation of God. Unless you love these actors, give 45 a miss. 

Fakir Hassen is a veteran Bollywood critic who has written three books on the subject.

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