‘Picket 43’ is an engaging effort.
It is a tough task to pull off an engaging movie with a handful of characters, with very few dialogues and any usual cinematic ingredients. But then there is no fixed formula or essentialities for a film to touch the heart. Major Ravi in that sense has managed to pull a rabbit out of the hat, so to speak.’ Picket 43′ was up against it, considering the rather disappointing outings of the director in his last few films. On the surface level it is another addition to Major’s forte, the military based, patriotism laden brand of movies with the usual lip service on what constitutes real secularism. But there is a distinct identity to ‘Picket 43′ which is its crux, a tale of cross border friendship.
The basic plot is so wafer thin but there is a throbbing heart that keeps Picket 43 ticking. Set in the inhospitably prohibitive terrains in Indo-Pakistan border or rather the Line of Control, ‘Picket 43′ begins with a voice over of superstar Mohanlal and a detailed footage of the daily ritual at the Wagah border. Hareendran Nair (Prithviraj) is just another Jawan who is posted on the most dangerous and infiltration affected Indo-Pak border.’ Picket 43’ is a dreaded outpost where every soldier dreads to be posted. A lonely bunker at the heights of heavenly Kashmir, ‘Picket 43’ is unimaginably inhospitable. Hareendran is posted to ‘Picket 43’ after the death and mutilation of the soldier who was guarding the border there. He is chosen by the Commanding Officer played by Renji Panikkar, despite Hareendran’s earnest pleas. Even his leave is cancelled and his love life is reduced to tatters.
There is a similarity in every Major Ravi movie, when the family life of the protagonist soldier is shown. Fortunately this time around the director has shown restraint and desists from overcooking them. His admiration for Mohanlal rears head on more than one occasion which sticks out like a sore thumb.
A hugely reluctant Hareendran reaches ‘Picket 43’ along with a military dog named Bacardi. He is greeted by heavy firing from barns the border, but slowly settles down and he strikes an unlikely friendship with a Pakistani soldier Musharaff (Javed Jaffry) just across the barbed wire, on their side of the border.
It is all about this flourishing friendship and the way engaging moments are carved out of the dark desolate scenario is a revelation of sorts. We are shown flashes of life in the Taliban affected parts of Pakistan. Jingoism is absent except for a stray dialogue here or there.
The film essentially conveys the message about friendship beyond borders and how ephemeral man made borders are. Here the director has tried to show the positive side of the Pakistani army and how militancy overpowers the best efforts of the leadership on both sides, for peace. There could be differences of opinion on this count as ground realities have shown that the military establishment has often connived with rogue elements and infiltration continues to be an abiding headache. Anyway given the fact that ‘Picket 43’ is a character oriented movie rather than a take on Indo Pak conflict, this could be overlooked.
The film is a Prithviraj special and his outstanding portrayal of a character that goes through myriad emotional and physical challenges is the highlight of the movie. Javed Jaffry is aptly cast and his interactions with Prithvi’s character are delightful. Renji Panikkar too gives a fair account of himself as the Officer in charge.The female cast has precious little to do and they are just about passable. Technically the movie is top notch. Jomon’s camera is in top form and the luscious beauty of Kashmir is captured with elan. The change in the landscape during different seasons resonates with the roller coaster emotional ride of the characters. Ratheesh Vega’s songs are soothing while background score nicely syncs with the scenes.
‘Picket 43’ is by no means a path breaking effort or a breathtaking example of innovative filmmaking. But the sheer fact that it touches the inner echelons of the mind without being didactic or artificial makes it watchable to the hilt. ‘Picket 43’, pricks and bleeds and puts across an emphatic message of camaraderie. Major Ravi can take heart from his latest offering and he does let his film to talk for itself. Pick up a ticket for ‘Picket 43’, it won’t disappoint.
Cinema Lokam 