Movie Review: Article 370

 

While penning my review of "Fighter", this is what I had written in the Postscript... "Do not miss out on the timing of release. "Uri : The Surgical Strike" was released on 11 Jan 2019. And now Pathania Saab strikes the screens on 25 Jan 2024. Aggressive nationalism is the flavour of this month every five years. No points for guessing why."

.... And the warming up to the election season continues with Article 370. But first things first. Let me admit that I have spent a fair bit of time in Kashmir Valley... and I have also read a lot about Kashmir (from all perspectives). A lot, means actually a lot. So I don't need to enter into any debates with anyone to say that Article 370 should never have been there in our Constitution. But since it was there for some reason, so it needed to be confined to history. And hence, irrespective of my political preferences (which I never discuss on social media), this particular act of abrogation of Article 370 on 05 August 2019 by the present government, will always remain etched in my memory as a high point. Kashmir already is seeing its positives and the future is bound to be brighter.

A lot of preparation went behind the process of abrogation,,, and we are not privy to the planning process. Most of it was in the domain of the highest echelons of power, be it political, intelligence or military. Article 370 serves as a government mouthpiece of the political and intelligence process behind the scenes.

Aditya Dhar’s Uri - The Surgical Strike (2019) efficiently dramatised what went behind the surgical strike against Pakistan after the Uri attack of 2016. That film was also released in an election year. Dhar is a co-producer and co-writer of Article 370 and his better half and competent actor Yami Gautam leads the team here as intelligence officer Zooni Haksar. A Kashmiri Pandit, who has a personal grudge against the corrupt political leadership of the State, Zooni is strategically positioned to peddle the Us vs Them narrative. Although the movie could not resist the temptation of pointing flaws in the Nehruvian handling of Kashmir, the deft handling of portrayal of the business of terrorism and conflict economy needs to be known to us all. 

Based in the period between 2015 to 2019, Article 370 tells the harrowing tale of how Kashmir has been betrayed time and again, by politicians and bureaucrats. To keep themselves in power, they have allowed radicalisation, and continue to brainwash the youth into making them stone pelters and hail the call for 'Azaadi'. While makers call it an 'inspired' film, you cannot ignore how the two leaders in Kashmir have been painted as Farooq Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti, albeit in a darker shade. The film smartly weaves into the narrative of how back-channel diplomacy has become passe and the trusted methods of negotiating with the separatists and double agents to buy temporary peace in the Valley have become outdated.

Yami Gautam has given her most powerful performance as the 'arrogant officer on duty'. It’s always great to see a charming actor in Yami Gautam who captures your attention even when they are just standing in the frame. Priya Mani has also given a gripping performance as the "be all, know all" Joint Secretary in PMO. She was outstanding in The Family Man, and is even better here. Arun Govil is seen on the big screen after a long time and he is really impactful as PM. The Home Minister, though, could not do justice to the fire of our Mota Bhai, which was visible to us all in Parliament on 05 Aug 2019.  

The screenplay is riveting and moves at a supremely fast pace, ensuring that viewers remain engaged from start to finish. So despite its run-time of 2 hours and 40 minutes, it keeps you interested. Creative liberty has been taken at many places while recounting the chain of events. But one good part is that there is no unnecessary religious frenzy or Pakistan bashing which many recent movies have tried to show. No patriotism loaded songs either. Just good acting, riveting story telling and powerful background score.

The story needs to be known. Must watch with children.

****************************

Credits : The World Wide Web