Interestingly, it didn’t even occur to me till now that Aditya Suhas Jambhale’s new film Article 370 doesn’t have a full fledged song. Yes, there is a background score but since Hindi movies hardly run without at least one or two musical numbers I must say it was bold of the makers to go against the conditioning of the audience. In hindsight, did we miss the presence of an interlude? Not at all. Because everything in the social thriller is so immaculately positioned that such inclusions would be rendered irrelevant and a complete waste of time. I must say producer Aditya Dhar (he directed Uri: The Surgical Strike)instead concentrated on investing in fabulous writing, taut editing and an able cast who engineered to make this film a thoroughly engaging and enriching one.
But, what could possibly be the most unique selling point of Article 370, a feature film that has opened in theatres amidst fabulous reviews and just might be one of the most talked about works soon? It’s the subject itself. To create a visual presentation of the draconian article imposed on Jammu and Kashmir till the Narendra Modi government decided to abrogate it so that the valley isn’t crippled anymore was bound to be an attractive topic for cinema. However, a hearty applause to Dhar and his team for pulling the project off with restraint, sensitivity and the perfect dosage of artful dramatisation so as to bridge the gap between true events and fiction quite meticulously. And songs? What songs!?
A couple of years ago when I read Sahana Vijayakumar’s Kasheer, I ended up telling people how comprehensively the book explains the J&K conundrum without distorting facts and history. In fact, if anyone were to ask me about Article 370 and why it was one of the boldest decisions taken by our prime minister in 2019, I would direct them to Kasheer as I found the story a perfectly empathetic as well as factual representation of what the valley faced over the years and how selfish politicians had sabotaged the well being of that part of India by helping it become an experimental lab for radicals and terrorists from neighbouring Pakistan. With the release of Jambhale’s film, there is an addition to my reference point for the political strife in J&K since 1947 and this one is for all those who enjoy smart and well made cinema that doesn’t mince words when it comes to dishing out unadulterated facts. There is no excessive melodrama or transgression from the subject (in that Article 370 is even better than Uri: The Surgical Strike because the latter, in my opinion, focused too much on the protagonist rather than deconstructing how the entire operation was a team effort where many able people were involved and whose expertise made it a success) despite the plot incorporating quite a few crucial events that led to the abrogation of Article 370. Any loose handling of a subplot or two and the gritty pace would falter. The makers took care that nothing of that sort happened. Kudos.
By now (I say this for all those aware denizens who have cared to read up on contemporary politics of Bharat and the developmental surge in J&K after Article 370 was abrogated), there is no doubt that the step was required for national security as well as betterment of the valley but it was heartening to hear the cheers during several moments in the film (especially when Kiran Karmarkar who plays Home Minister Amit Shah, flamboyantly declares in the Rajya Sabha on August 5th, 2019, that Jammu & Kashmir was, is and will always be an intrinsic part of India) thus explaining that the public is not ignorant of the positive changes the country has gone through under the able leadership of PM Narendra Modi. No amount of lies and monkey balancing shall be brooked when it comes to matters of our motherland. No more subterfuge, no more scarred lives and no more second chances. Most importantly, the casting is so impeccably done that you sit there and see the sinister masks falling off from the faces of all the Abdullahs and Muftis who held the valley and its people to ransom to feed their own greed for power and position. The reality of the villains unravel in the course of the film but their agendas we already knew. It’s just that this is consolidated documentation on the silver screen.
The scene in the Rajya Sabha where you see the Chanakya neeti of our Home Minister in its full glory deftly brings together technical prowess and subtle wit. Juxtaposed with the climactic action sequence, it’s a well played out denouement to a thoroughly engrossing drama. It’s laudable how perfectly the film explains how PM Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and team precisely integrated Kashmir with India. How the blunders of Jawaharlal Nehru and Pakistan funded stone pelters, separatist leaders and nepotistic politics of that land was effectively neutralised without a drop of innocent blood being shed. The narration was flawless, the screenplay was awesome and the performances were top notch. In fact, this film must be watched by the Abdullahs and Muftis pronto so that they can reflect back on their noxious actions and introspect on how they jeopardised the lives and well being of so many innocents.
While Article 370 is helmed by a talented cast (Arun Govil as PM Narendra Modi is fabulous) it is Yami Gautam’s moment to court genuine appreciation for exercising such effortlessness in this author-backed role. She brilliantly becomes the voice of Kashmir’s youth seeking justice for the wrongs meted out to their elders. And even as she bravely gets down to business, she doesn’t shy away from exposing her emotional side when her colleagues are slain at the Pulwama terrorist attack. She makes that sentiment and loses her weapon as she draws the dagger on every evil ripping apart her birthplace and her motherland Bharat. She shows what an empowered naari can do when push comes to shove. And this is where the script shines forth. It’s women power that channels the driving force behind the important operations. Be it the quiet but astute Rajeshwari Swaminathan (Priya Mani) or the agile and fierce Zooni Haksar (Gautam).
