Article 370 is a political thriller film directed by Aditya Suhas Jambhale and produced by Aditya Dhar. The film stars Yami Gautam and Priyamani in the lead roles, along with Arun Govil, Kiran Karmarkar in supporting roles. The film is based on the events leading up to the abrogation of Article 370 of the Indian Constitution, which granted special status to the state of Jammu and Kashmir. The film released in theatres today on February 23, 2024.
Article 370: Plot
The film follows Zooni Haksar (Yami Gautam), an intelligence officer who is assigned to lead the National Investigation Agency (NIA) team in Kashmir, to maintain peace and security in the valley amid the rising tensions and violence. Zooni is a Kashmiri Pandit who had to flee from her home during the exodus of 1990. She is determined to restore normalcy and harmony in her homeland, and also to avenge the death of her father, who was killed by militants.
Ajay Devgn perfectly sets the tone of the film at the outset. Zooni is recruited by Rajeshwari (Priyamani), the joint secretary at the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), who is the mastermind behind the plan. Rajeshwari is a close aide of the Prime Minister (Arun Govil), who resembles Narendra Modi, and shares his vision of a united and integrated India. Rajeshwari orchestrates a series of covert operations and diplomatic maneuvers to prepare the ground for the historic decision, while keeping it a secret from the public and the media.
Zooni and Rajeshwari face many challenges and obstacles in their mission, such as the hostile local politicians, the separatist groups, the Pakistani agents, and the international pressure. They also have to deal with their personal and professional conflicts, as they are both strong-willed and ambitious women in a male-dominated field. The film culminates in the dramatic announcement of the abrogation of Article 370 on August 5, 2019, and its aftermath.
Article 370: Performance
The film boasts of some stellar performances by the lead actors, especially Yami Gautam and Priyamani, who carry the film on their shoulders. Yami Gautam delivers a nuanced and convincing portrayal of Zooni, a woman who is torn between her duty and her emotions. Her character is inspired from Maya, the heroine of Zero Dark Thirty (2012). She displays a range of emotions, from anger and pain to courage and determination, with ease and grace. Priyamani is equally impressive as Rajeshwari, a woman who is smart, confident, and ruthless in her pursuit of her goal. She matches Yami Gautam in every scene, and their chemistry is palpable. Arun Govil, who plays the Prime Minister, does a decent job of mimicking Narendra Modi’s mannerisms and speech, without going overboard. The supporting cast, including Kiran Karmarkar as Amit Shah, also do justice to their roles.
Article 370: Analysis
The film is a well-made and well-researched film, that does not shy away from presenting its politics and ideology. The film is clearly in favour of the abrogation of Article 370, and portrays it as a bold and visionary move by the Modi government, that was long overdue and necessary for the integration and development of Kashmir. The film also criticizes the previous governments, especially the Nehru government, for their mistakes and blunders in handling the Kashmir issue. The film also depicts the plight and suffering of the Kashmiri Pandits, who were forced to leave their homes and become refugees in their own country.
The film, however, does not give much space or voice to the other side of the story, that is, the Kashmiri Muslims, who were the majority population of the state, and who were affected by the decision in a major way. The film portrays them as either corrupt politicians, brainwashed militants, or paid stone-pelters, who are manipulated by Pakistan and other anti-India forces. The film also glosses over the human rights violations, the communication blackout, the lockdown, and the protests that followed the abrogation of Article 370. The film does not explore the complex and diverse opinions and sentiments of the Kashmiri people, who have a long and troubled history with India.
The film uses real locations to create a realistic and believable story. Siddharth Vasani, the cinematographer, portrays the beauty and spirit of Kashmir in every shot. The film’s mood is reflected by the subdued shades of blue and grey that dominate the screen. The background score isn’t as great as Uri.
The film is also a bit too long and slow-paced, especially in the first half, where it spends a lot of time in setting up the background and the context. The film could have been more crisp and engaging, if it had focused more on the drama, rather than the exposition and the narration. The film also has some factual inaccuracies and creative liberties, that may not go down well with the history buffs and the fact-checkers.
Article 370: Verdict
Article 370 is a film that will appeal to the fans of political thrillers, and to those who support the Modi government and its policies. The film is a well-crafted and well-acted film, that keeps you hooked with its gripping and enticing narrative. It not only outlines the events, but also but also details them. Simple narrative and a great direction makes it a must watch.
The film never resorts to a chest thumping or a jingoistic narrative. Even then, the film, is also a biased and one-sided film, that does not give a balanced and nuanced perspective on the Kashmir issue. The film is a propaganda film, that serves its politics unabashedly, even if the makers have been denying so.
Article 370: Rating
Critics Rating: 3/5
Box Office Rating: 3.5/5
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