- Release Date: 23/02/2023
- Cast: Yami Gautam, Priyamani, Raj Zutshi, Arun Govil, Divya Seth Shah, Vaibhav Tatwawadi
- Director: Aditya Suhas Jambhale
Yami And Priyamani Shine in The Fascinating Story Behind Article 370’s Abrogation
Call it propaganda, call it political maneuvering, call it historical fiction favouring a specific party; “Article 370” is still the best political drama that I have seen in years from Bollywood. What is better is that unlike “The Kashmir Files” and “The Kerela Story”, it ends on an inspiring note. It has so much well-choreographed action that it might as well be classified as an action film. We are all aware of the abrogation of Article 370 and the conversion of Jammu and Kashmir into a union territory, but we have very little knowledge of all that went into this earth-shattering decision. It wasn’t easy to put an end to an unjustified privilege that has not only been a part of the Kashmiri problem but has also resulted in the state never fully integrating with the rest of the country.
The film, “Article 370”, takes a long and hard look at the inception of the idea of abrogation, the challenges faced in doing so, and finally the actual act of passing the bill in the parliament. There is a parallel story that unfolds involving the character of Zoon Haksar, an intelligence operative who is tasked to carry out an important assignment leading up to the D-Day. Aditya Dhar, Arjun Dhawan, Aditya Suhas Jambhale, Monal Thaakar, and Aarsh Vora do the smart thing of unifying the various elements of the conflict under specific chapters and looking at it all through the character of Zooni, played by Yami Gautam. This not only simplifies a lot of things for the audiences but also gives the maker the leeway to explain certain things that may stand as a challenge to fully comprehending the plot and the screenplay for casual audiences and yet not liquidate the realism and seriousness of the film.
Well-Researched and Captivating Story:
Apparently, the maximum amount of work in the film has gone into its story and research. Films of this nature are tricky to make. The research needs to be spot-on. The characters must be inspired by real-life entities. If the story is well-rounded, no one cares which part of it is left out. It is, however, important that you understand what tone you want your narrative to follow and consistently stick to it. The storytelling also needs to remind the audiences of the real people and important moments from the actual story, and they need to be executed in such a way that they don’t feel caricaturish or forced.
Aditya Suhas, Aditya Dhar, and the other writers are beyond successful in ensuring all of these elements in their story. In addition, they are able to create fascinating characters, poignant moments, and a lot of momentum in the storytelling that not only ensures that the audiences are intrigued and entertained from start to finish but also successfully pull off every emotion, bravura moment, and even the tragic elements of the story and the screenplay. The film gives you a lot of information, and each nugget of it is delivered to you in such a fascinating manner and with such organic lucidity that you will be able to grasp the entire politics and quantum of the story in one viewing. You may, however, feel an insatiable urge to rewatch this film since it is so great.
Great Casting and Superb Performances from the Supporting Cast:
The casting of the film is stupendous. When I saw Kiran Karmarkar play Amit Shah in the trailer of the film, I was very apprehensive about his casting and his makeup. Interestingly, as I sat through this film, I couldn’t help but be enamoured by his performance and how well he pulls off Amit Shah’s popular mannerisms, and how little forced and caricaturish it feels. Karmarkar is entrusted with some of the most important and impactful scenes of the film, and he pulls them off with gusto and conviction. It is because of his conviction that his performance feels so on-point. Every other cast member is equally good in their rendition of the image of the real people that they are playing and also in their execution of the said rendition. I was particularly impressed by Raj Zutshi, who is perfectly hateable as a mishmash of the Abdullah father and son duo. Divya Seth Shah looks and feels uncannily similar to Mehbooba Mufti, and her restrained performance adds a dash of realism and authenticity to the character. Arun Govil essays what is possibly the best rendition of Narendra Modi to date. He brings a certain poise and respectability to the character that has been missing in most of the previous renditions of the great leader.
Realistic and Fascinating Action Sequences:
This was the last thing that I was expecting from this film, given the kind of budget it was made on. Realism in the action sequences was probably the last thing that was on the minds of the makers. Strangely enough, the film has some of the most realistic and well-choreographed action sequences involving army personnel and terrorists that come to my mind. There is a certain amount of physicality that the many characters bring to the fights that I absolutely loved. The exchange of fire and how the terrorists are shown to be taken out felt extremely real and impactful. There are few hand-to-hand fights and the ones that are there are done with enough realism to keep the presentation in line with all that we have seen in the film thus far. The Pulwama attack is recreated with unbelievable impact. Even though it has been done in other films too, the kind of impact that this scene had on me was not achieved before.
Yami Gautam And Priyamani Shine in Restrained but Heroic Roles:
It might feel odd for many to believe that in a film about the abrogation of Article 370 and the process of dismantling the terror network in the Kashmir Valley, the lead will be taken by two strong and driven women. Even Aditya Dhar didn’t dare to do something like this in his career-defining film, Uri (starring Vicky Kaushal and Yami Gautam). After watching this film, I can safely say that the two women are by far the strongest elements of the film and, in certain moments, overtake the story, being its single most enterprising factor.
Yami Gautam is sensational, and this might just be her best performance ever. Priyamani is flawless as the master planner who has her hands in every pie and ultimately is instrumental in abolishing Article 370 along with any and every challenge that came against its abolishment. Yami brings out such honest and heartfelt reactions to key moments that her performance alone ensures that these moments are instantaneously elevated. In some of the scenes where she has to show her violent side, she is equally captivating. Priyamani has to maintain a poker face throughout, and being the great actress that she is, she gives the audience a few brief peeks into her psyche while maintaining the said poker face. This was a difficult thing to pull off, and she did it with organic ease, underlining her prowess and quality as an actress.
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Final Words:
“Article 370” stands as a remarkable cinematic achievement, blending historical narrative (having its fair share of cinematic liberties) with gripping action and superb performances. It deftly navigates complex political territory while keeping viewers engaged from start to finish. Aditya Suhas Jambhale’s direction, coupled with the stellar cast led by Yami Gautam and Priyamani, ensures that the film leaves a lasting impact. With its realistic portrayal of events and characters, it not only entertains but also prompts reflection on significant socio-political issues. “Article 370” is a must-watch for its compelling storytelling, poignant moments, and its ability to shed light on a crucial chapter in India’s history.
Rating: 4/5 (4 out of 5 Stars)
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