As audiences gear up for the election season, filmmakers have started their own form of canvassing. Leading the charge is Article 370, a compelling and persuasive film that delves into the government’s Kashmir policy, culminating in the abrogation of the contentious constitutional provision on August 5, 2019.
These recent events remain fresh in the public memory, but the filmmakers aim to gain the audience’s trust by explaining the factors that led to the end of Jammu & Kashmir’s special status before the ruling party heads to the polls. Despite the long-term impact of the decision still unfolding, the film hastily presents it as a masterstroke.
Like a polished PowerPoint presentation accompanied by a thumping background score, director Aditya Suhas Jambhale efficiently connects the dots that often get lost in the noise of electronic news channel debates. The timing of the release is no coincidence. Aditya Dhar’s Uri (2019) effectively dramatized the events behind the surgical strike against Pakistan following the 2016 Uri attack and was also released in an election year. Dhar, serving as co-producer and co-writer of Article 370, brings his expertise to this film as well. Leading the cast is the talented Yami Gautam, who plays intelligence officer Zooni Haksar. A Kashmiri Pandit with a personal vendetta against the corrupt political leadership of the State, Zooni is strategically positioned to push the us-versus-them narrative.
It’s heartening to witness two actresses commanding the spotlight and carrying the entire film with their performances. Yami Gautam, portraying Zooni, delivers a commendable performance with her no-nonsense demeanour, showcasing the evident dedication and reaping deserving rewards. Priyamani, portraying an IAS officer, embodies the role convincingly with a controlled performance that hits the mark. Raj Zutshi, portraying a Kashmiri leader and thrice former Chief Minister of J&K, along with Raj Arun as Khawar Ali and Vaibhav Tatwawadi as Commandant Yash Chauhan, offer dynamic support to the ensemble cast.
‘Article 370’ attempts to evoke a sense of nationalism, taking creative liberties along the way. One fails to comprehend the necessity for Zooni to resort to impersonation to access amended documents from the J&K Secretariat, as accessing those documents could have been a straightforward job for her. Nonetheless, this film marks a promising debut from director Aditya Suhas Jambhale, a two-time National Award-winning director, hinting that a lot can be expected from him in the future. ‘Article 370’ proves to be a worthwhile watch, offering enough substance to keep viewers engaged and invested.
Review by Taran Adarsh
Renowned film critic Taran Adarsh took to Twitter to share his one-word review of the film Yami Gautam’s “Article 370”, describing it as “Power-packed” and awarding it a stellar rating of . Adarsh hailed the film as a masterpiece of cinema, praising its enlightening, engaging, and impactful storytelling. He singled out Yami Gautam for delivering her best performance yet, labeling it as award-worthy, while also commending Priya Mani for her excellent portrayal.
Adarsh lauded the writing team for simplifying the complex sequence of events surrounding Article 370 and staying true to the subject matter. He credited director Aditya Suhas Jambhale for expertly executing the material, earning him accolades for his directorial prowess.
